Thank you, Shane. It is a sad honor to share this story but important to do so. And I agree that Dante gave his life in the service of this country. Thank you for seeing that about him.
This is a lovely, graceful, and sad telling of a story so under-reported. Thank you, Bessie, for doing it. RIP to Dante and all the service people who give their lives that we may live, and yes, he gave his life in that way too.
I think I did not leave my reply under your comment. Still learning Substack.
I said,”Thank you, Shane. It is a sad honor to share this story but important to do so. And I agree that Dante gave his life in the service of this country. Thank you for seeing that about him. “
You're welcome, Bessie, and thanks for your graciousness with this note. It's tragic that our military and society dismiss suicides, drug abuse, and other forms of self-cancellation by service people as "it didn't happen while in uniform, so it's their problem, not ours." If we want to continue a volunteer military, we must take care of the whole soldier, during and after service. To demand anything less is an insult to the uniform and the ideal of citizen soldier.
I want to be careful what I write because I myself am NOT a Veteran, let alone a combat veteran. But my family's involvement in military service goes back to the War of 1812 and includes a cousin who volunteered for two tours with the 101st in Viet Nam. My Aunt was USNR/WAVES while my uncles were stationed in England and the South Pacific in WW II and several friends of mine are former active duty military. I am amazed at how many 501 (c) 3 organizations request financial assistance for active-duty military and veterans. I say this in caps: YOU WOULD THINK that "America First" would put more resources toward ensuring the health and welfare of everyone in or adjacent to our armed forces. I was one of the oddballs who studied women's military history in grad school. Dear God do we take our safety and security for granted, compared to the rest of the world. Leaving it there. Thank you, Bessie.
I appreciate you sharing your history and opinions and agree that far too many take our safety and security for granted.
I am not surprised about how many 501(c) orgs request financial assistance for them. Probably because I know how many vets and AD folks still have to utilize government assistance just to survive and because I help them fill out the applications. Change is greatly needed.
I am VERY glad that so many organizations exist that can help bridge the gap.
And those organizations are a -- IMO -- vital "awareness" resource. The day-to-day reality that you experience is often -- as you know! -- sanitized and disappeared from public view. I live within 4 miles of a VA hospital and there are DAV shuttles around town... Who else is doing that work? Etc.
All the Amens to this! Absolutely. I adore DAV. They run an awesome thrift store in my home town, been going there my whole life, and my mother went in her childhood too. Easy way for civilians to give support in our day-to-day lives.
I am also writing a follow-up article on some organizations folks in Texas can volunteer with to help refugees and veterans.
Hopefully we can get some more boots (and heels!) on the ground on this front because it is such important work!
Well, I just cried for the second time today. An absolutely beautiful essay.
Thank you. I just reread it and we are crying together.
Thank you, Shane. It is a sad honor to share this story but important to do so. And I agree that Dante gave his life in the service of this country. Thank you for seeing that about him.
This is a lovely, graceful, and sad telling of a story so under-reported. Thank you, Bessie, for doing it. RIP to Dante and all the service people who give their lives that we may live, and yes, he gave his life in that way too.
I think I did not leave my reply under your comment. Still learning Substack.
I said,”Thank you, Shane. It is a sad honor to share this story but important to do so. And I agree that Dante gave his life in the service of this country. Thank you for seeing that about him. “
You're welcome, Bessie, and thanks for your graciousness with this note. It's tragic that our military and society dismiss suicides, drug abuse, and other forms of self-cancellation by service people as "it didn't happen while in uniform, so it's their problem, not ours." If we want to continue a volunteer military, we must take care of the whole soldier, during and after service. To demand anything less is an insult to the uniform and the ideal of citizen soldier.
Wonderful heartfelt article. Thank you for your unique perspective on this persistent and complex problem.
Thank you. It was hard to write but every tear was worth it to bring more awareness to this heartbreaking problem.
That's when the magic happens. That's authenticity.
I want to be careful what I write because I myself am NOT a Veteran, let alone a combat veteran. But my family's involvement in military service goes back to the War of 1812 and includes a cousin who volunteered for two tours with the 101st in Viet Nam. My Aunt was USNR/WAVES while my uncles were stationed in England and the South Pacific in WW II and several friends of mine are former active duty military. I am amazed at how many 501 (c) 3 organizations request financial assistance for active-duty military and veterans. I say this in caps: YOU WOULD THINK that "America First" would put more resources toward ensuring the health and welfare of everyone in or adjacent to our armed forces. I was one of the oddballs who studied women's military history in grad school. Dear God do we take our safety and security for granted, compared to the rest of the world. Leaving it there. Thank you, Bessie.
I appreciate you sharing your history and opinions and agree that far too many take our safety and security for granted.
I am not surprised about how many 501(c) orgs request financial assistance for them. Probably because I know how many vets and AD folks still have to utilize government assistance just to survive and because I help them fill out the applications. Change is greatly needed.
I am VERY glad that so many organizations exist that can help bridge the gap.
And those organizations are a -- IMO -- vital "awareness" resource. The day-to-day reality that you experience is often -- as you know! -- sanitized and disappeared from public view. I live within 4 miles of a VA hospital and there are DAV shuttles around town... Who else is doing that work? Etc.
All the Amens to this! Absolutely. I adore DAV. They run an awesome thrift store in my home town, been going there my whole life, and my mother went in her childhood too. Easy way for civilians to give support in our day-to-day lives.
I am also writing a follow-up article on some organizations folks in Texas can volunteer with to help refugees and veterans.
Hopefully we can get some more boots (and heels!) on the ground on this front because it is such important work!