Twenty-two years ago, we watched in horror when terrorists killed thousands, using airliners as weapons. I lost a former shipmate and mentor, CDR Dan Shanower, at the Pentagon that morning. As a Navy Reservist, several of my unit members were recalled to Active Duty that first month, beginning a campaign involving thousands of servicemembers -the Global War On Terror – that concluded twenty years later. What veterans look upon as “moral injury”, that the bloodshed over decades conclude in a wasted effort of politics and trillions of dollars spent, we must reassure ourselves. As veterans we did our duty honorably. Our fellow veterans -Americans, Allies, Afghan and Iraqi partners, Kurds, and others helped squash terrorism globally. All of us suffered loss. The lesson we all should learn is that conflict between differing politics, cultures and ideologies has always and will continue, to fester. Only unity creates a strong defense against hatred and tyranny.

Yesterday, September 10th, was national Suicide Awareness Day, and I volunteered to help the organizers of a Remembrance Walk in San Diego. Hundreds of people who have lost loved ones, colleagues, or friends come together annually to support one another, and to help spread awareness so that others will have tools and resources to help those contemplating suicide. There were groups and agencies present, informing us that aid is available to the suffering. As many know, the horrors of war, horrific accidents, murder, physical and mental abuse, addiction and apathy are conditions for veterans, family members, school children and First Responders to contemplate suicide. As many have learned, painfully, those who seem to be strongest under such conditions, are themselves suffering and in need of support. Only an engaged, educated and empathetic community creates a strong defense against self-harm.

Ed. A future post will publish various San Diego, as well as national, resources for veterans and others to obtain emotional and physical help, help prevent suicide, and to build community.