Saving the People Who Protect
By: Hayden Bandes
Every time we think of veterans, we need to appreciate and thank them for their service to our country and all they have sacrificed in order to preserve our pursuit of equality, justice and freedom. But what do many of those veterans find after they come home from all that fighting and sacrifice? Unfortunately, too many of them come home with deep emotional scars and serious financial difficulties that force them to lose their homes and families and land them on the street without a job and hopeless. This is when these veterans face something that no one should have to face after serving for their country. Homelessness.
My drawing attempts to demonstrate the stages that too many veterans have had to face when returning home after serving our country. The despair that many of these veterans feel is the result of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), which does not allow them to eat or sleep. Then, they start on the path of alcohol and substance abuse, which can ultimately leads to the destruction of their families and their finances.
This cycle is being repeated much too often and we as the people of this country can and must do better. We can do this by donating to charities and volunteering at veteran centers. Another thing that could be done is to have landlords support veterans by reducing their rent and have the banks and credit card companies help to forgive or reduce their financial debts. We can also help by personally lending a hand to veterans that are struggling and need our help, which could be as simple as stopping and thanking them for their service and sacrifices. Another way we can help is to encourage them to enroll in a rehabilitation program that helps get our veterans off the streets, into a house into a well paying job. These programs also specialize in alcohol and substance abuses, and PTSD relief. Together, we can truly make a difference in our veterans lives and to help get them back on their feet.
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