Veteran's Lives Matter.
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Veteran's Lives Matter.

My thoughts on veterans and our upcoming election.

9
Veteran's Lives Matter.
Pexels

Police brutality. Black lives matter. Terrorism. Gun control. Violence.

These are all keywords we have been seeing in the headlines lately. With the 2016 election campaign in full swing, the presumptive Republican and Democratic nominees have been covering these topics closely as they race for the White House.

However, while all these topics are extremely important, I feel there is one subject that is not discussed nearly as much as it should be.

What about our veterans?

Try googling statistics about veterans.

These are the questions that appear in the "People Also Ask Box:"

"How many homeless veterans are there?"

"How many veterans are unemployed in the US?"

"How many Vietnam veterans have PTSD?"

Here are the answers.

In January 2014, communities across America identified 49,993 homeless veterans during point-in time counts.

In 2014, 21.2 million men and women were veterans. Of those, 573,000 were unemployed.

The U.S Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that PTSD afflicts almost 31% of all Vietnam veterans.

This is a large problem. Even more so, is the blatant lack of respect for our men and women in the armed forces.

There are an appalling amount of groups on social media platforms dedicated to "not supporting the troops. You would think no American in their right mind would participate in anything like that.

In a Facebook group called "Don't Support The Troops," there are nearly 800 people following the page. That is only one group.

I am going to give you a huge newsflash people: You can be against war but still support our veterans. After all, soldiers are one of the groups most affected by war.

One of the main reasons why we are over in Irag and Afghanistan is to help train their counties' soldiers so they can protect their citizens from terrorists. How is that in any way dishonorable?

So in November, I'll be casting my vote for the candidate who will provide assistance to our veterans once and for all. The candidate that will fund programs that assist veterans and their families, get our veterans off the street and in the business world and who stand outside of an airplane with families welcoming our troops home. I need someone who boosts our soldier's moral and makes them believe they are fighting for a country who deserves their sacrifice.

I'm still not sure who that candidate will be.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

70977
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

45417
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

975128
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments