22...NO MORE!

The most widely used and generally agreed-upon number of 22 when discussing veteran suicide rates (a number I use as well) is actually (quite likely) much lower than the true rate of how many of my brothers- and sisters-in-arms take their lives, after losing their battles with their demons, daily. It is an epidemic that can be slowed, sometimes just from being a friendly ear (it helped me all those years ago).

If you know someone having a hard time, either give them the hotline number (1-800-273-8255) or call it yourself. Hell, volunteer to work the hotline. As I said, sometimes all it takes is someone listening to help ease the fight.

Don't be afraid of us, don't chastise us. Until any administration gets off its collective ass and completely overhauls Veterans Affairs, especially the medical division, any help that may be given will, in most cases, be gladly received.

Do not shun us, do not taunt us. We deserve as much consideration as any other group of Americans.

And we have most certainly paid for it, at a much steeper price than most can imagine...

Keep soldiering on, my brothers and sisters!

#22is22toomany