Memorial Day: Remembering those fallen, but not passed.
Years ago when my mother worked as a psych nurse at a mental institution she told me most of the homeless I came across in New York City were Vietnam War veterans with severe PTSD recently released from the hospital due to lack of funding. This struck me in a multitude of ways.
This country prides itself with its support for our soldiers – they fight, they bleed and many die for our country, but many return with scars not visible. Their scars are emotional and mental and many brave young men who fought hard for their country return, having a hard time reestablishing to civilian society. One again I will quote Guy Sager, whose words I will never forget.
“A day came when I should have died
and after that nothing seemed very important
so I stayed as I am, without regret
separated from the normal human condition.”
This quote transcends nationality and speaks to every young man who gives his mind, body and soul to go to battle for his country. A
nd yet it is these men who our politicians and corporations turn away from mental medical help. It is these men who many scorn and ridicule as we see them derelict in the street begging for money to live. It is these soldiers who have found themselves separated from the normal human condition. It is these men who deserve our honor despite their appearance and condition.
The problem is their appearance and conditions unnerve us. How can we be proud of our veteran reduced to beggars in the street? How can we honor men who have turned to alcohol and drugs because they can’t take the memories and nightmares of battles? It is hard for a nation who takes such pride in our military to see our honorable men fall from grace.
We may not be able to rid their nightmares and we may not be able to keep them off the street, but we can offer our prayers and support. We can say thank you for serving our country. They may not have given their life, but they have given their mind and that is a terrible thing to waste.
National Coalition of Homeless Veterans
