Today, in the US, is Veteran’s Day. My Facebook feed was full of so many people thanking others for their service and memes about what it means to be a Veteran.
I am a Veteran!
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I did not have the opportunity to serve my whole term because I suffered from a back injury but when I served, I served without question and with pride. Today I had the opportunity to attend a speaking event held at work. The guest speaker was Former Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan and his service dog Tuesday. Captain Montalvan wrote a best-selling book titled Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever who Saved Him. I haven’t read it yet but his story was touching. Tuesday saved him from a very serious condition that many of our services members suffer from: PTSD.
PTSD is an acronym for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. So many service members and people in general suffer from this and don’t seek help because they don’t know they have it. They may be told to keep going or feel the need to ignore symptoms due to life’s demands.
We must honor our Veterans and Service members but we must also make mental health a priority. Captain Montalvan was lucky to have found Tuesday but some soldiers aren’t so lucky. So today and every day after, if you see a Service member, thank them for their service and somehow let them know that you care and their lives mattered and still matter today.
For those who have served or are in Active service, Thank you for your service!
Look Within 