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As we go about our daily lives, we seldom think about the men and women who, at this very moment, are thousands of miles away, sacrificing everything familiar for a cause they may not fully understand. Veterans carry the burden of service, often far beyond their time in uniform. This Veterans Day, let’s take a moment to understand the silent struggles of those who gave years of their lives for us, and to recognize that their battle doesn’t end when they return home.

Deployment: Time Lost, Families Left Behind

Imagine being torn from your family, friends, and community. For months, sometimes years, veterans are sent to unknown lands, facing constant danger and intense loneliness. While they’re abroad, life at home doesn’t stop. They miss birthdays, graduations, and countless family dinners. Kids grow up, spouses grow distant, and friendships fade. They go on, hoping they’ll come back to a life that’s moved on without them.

Returning to a Different World

After years of serving, many veterans return home thinking they’ll be embraced by the family they’ve longed to see. But what they often face is isolation, misunderstanding, and a lack of support. They return to children who don’t recognize them, to relationships that have faded, or to empty homes. Tragically, some veterans come back to find their marriages broken, with spouses who have moved on.

Even in seeking work, veterans face the challenge of translating their skills to civilian jobs. The VA system, stretched thin, struggles to provide timely assistance. Veterans with disabilities, both visible and hidden, often fall through the cracks, feeling that they’ve been forgotten.

The Internal Battle

The scars veterans carry aren’t always visible. Their experiences, often kept locked away, weigh heavily on their minds. These are stories they carry alone, buried deep because they’re too painful or incomprehensible to share. They’re haunted by memories of trauma, of things they had to do to survive. The battles in their minds and hearts are relentless, often leading to depression, PTSD, and feelings of alienation from the world around them.

Fighting Wars for Unknown Causes

Many veterans struggle with the purpose of their service. Sent into conflicts that seem distant from the everyday lives of their fellow citizens, they are asked to make the ultimate sacrifice for causes they sometimes don’t fully understand. They return, questioning the purpose of their service, wondering if their sacrifices truly made a difference.

How We Can Support Our Veterans

1. Acknowledge Their Sacrifices: Let’s recognize that veterans often give up more than time—they give up family moments, mental peace, and sometimes, a sense of belonging. Show gratitude, listen to their stories if they’re willing to share, and remind them that their sacrifices are valued.

2. Strengthen the VA System: As a society, we need to advocate for a VA system that meets the needs of every veteran. This means expanding mental health services, providing faster and more effective support for job placement, housing, and healthcare, especially for those with disabilities.

3. Offer Job Opportunities and Training: Businesses can play a huge role by offering training and job opportunities tailored to veterans’ skills. Veterans bring discipline, dedication, and resilience—qualities that can enrich any workplace.

4. Build a Community of Understanding: Many veterans feel isolated because the people around them can’t understand what they’ve been through. Simple acts of inclusion, understanding, and respect go a long way in helping veterans reintegrate into society.

Honoring Veterans Through Action

It’s easy to post “Thank You for Your Service” on social media, but real support goes deeper. It’s about building a society where veterans feel appreciated, where their needs are met, and where they can live meaningful lives post-service. It’s about recognizing the scars they carry and doing our part to ease their burdens.

Let’s honor our veterans, not just with words, but with action.