On this Memorial Day we recognize those who lost their lives to support our freedoms.
I'm grateful to those who died. And I also reflect on those who returned with physical or emotional damage from their service.
We see them in our homeless shelters, on the streets, in jails, prisons, and halfway houses. Many suffer from PTSD or other psychological issues. Some have lost limbs and other functions. Many treat their pain and nightmares with drugs and alcohol. It's an attempt to forget.
Among our halfway house clients and staff we have many veterans. Some were discharged from service because of their addictions. Others made it through their enlistments. But they brought their addictions home with them.
Even though they came back with their lives, many have suffered ever since due to the stresses they faced.
There might not be much we can do in a direct way or in a practical sense.
But we can hold out our hands and open our hearts to this minority who agreed to defend our country.
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