Recently in the news I have seen every major local and national media outlet cover a raccoon climbing up a multi-story building, 720 kids laying down on the Capitol lawn, and other various stories from the ridiculous to the unbelievable. This instigated a search into their websites for any stories about PTSD Awareness Month, only to be greatly disappointed. And while disappointed, not surprised.
While we have come a long way in recent years in our efforts to inform the masses, we clearly have much more ground to cover. Many Veterans have expressed their frustration that the suicide of a chef is acknowledged and commented on by seemingly everyone, yet the loss of
20+ Veterans daily to suicide garners little note.
Conversely, it was our privilege to speak to a local political group
on Monday evening where we shared the stories of a few of our Veterans who have come through our program at Camp Hope. The q&a time afterwards was excellent, and one of the questions is one we hear often: "How has Michael Berry helped your organization?"
I began my response by saying it could take hours to fully answer such a question. A full answer would include his personal financial contributions, the numerous friends he has introduced to us and have since become great supporters, the credibility his endorsement has provided, and much more. But I wanted to state what I feel to be his greatest contribution, and did so by the following story.
One particular Veteran shared that he had made up his mind that he would take his own life. He came up with a plan, and started to go through with it. He got in his car, started driving to the local liquor store where he would purchase a bottle of whiskey, then drive to a park, drink the bottle, then pick up his loaded pistol and end his life. However, while driving, he had his car radio tuned into the Michael Berry Show. This Army Vet said, "
while I was driving, I wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying until I hear him say, 'if you are a Veteran and you are even remotely thinking about ending your life, stop what you are doing right now and call 877.717.7873.'"
That afternoon, that man pulled onto our campus. Months later his marriage was restored, as well as his estranged relationship of many years with his daughter. I continued my answer to the question, "
I could fill a few of these tables with Veterans who share very similar stories, but THAT is what Michael Berry has done for our organization."
Many of you who receive and read this monthly newsletter have also shared our story to a Veteran in need, and partnered with us in saving lives. As we are now two-thirds of the way through PTSD Awareness Month, I ask that you take the opportunity to share our story once again with your friends, your church, your civic club, and through your social media. You never know when it just might reach the eyes or ears of someone who critically needs to be reminded that there is hope!
