Looking the other way by service providers be they VA or community based, for them the “war is over” and there is nothing to remember. Yet, the war is not over and many of those that seek oblivion by the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs slip away as their families helpless as they watch, a daughter, a son, a husband die be it physically or spiritually.
Veterans and the services that they require cannot be achieved if there is no understanding by the so-called “healed” that except for the GRACE of GOD there you go. While advocacy is an important step on the matter of service providing for African American Veterans, there needs to be an understanding of cultural sensitivity when trying to provide care and service. These men and women wore the uniform of the US Military only because their Ancestors during the earlier wars and conflicts were denied the uniform and sometimes denied weapons in the wars for freedom that they fought ALL over the Globe back then with little documentation.
Among the too many suicides or attempt suicides and lives being wasted is the “silent” voices of other Veterans that talk among themselves and leave it at that. Until there be respect for those that still suffer and by other Veterans getting involved to organize with a solution driven series of strategies, we will continue to have “Stand Down Projects” instead of “Stand Ups.” Thank you for sharing this comment.