My Dad would always tell me "You never leave a soldier behind." Like many of us, we take to heart what our fathers said when we were young.
This past Memorial Day, we marched, sang and told stories of bravery and battles won. There were however, many who were not there. Their ranks had been thinned by those who were still "in combat" and fighting an enemy they couldn't defeat. The enemy of depression and post-traumatic syndrome which, without a bullet, kills our service men and women by suicide. It is reported that 22 veterans take their lives every day.
We dedicated a bench at the Veterans Memorial Park to commemorate a marine who passed away recently and to help bring awareness to those who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide.
For this reason, our county is placing yellow benches in our parks with the message of hope for veterans contemplating suicide, "We will never leave a soldier behind."
Thanks, Dad!
