Let us demonstrate our gratitude for Veterans
Let’s talk about it. Our Veterans.
We thank them for their service. We all say the words. And at least for a moment, in that moment, we think about their experiences. We consider what it must have been like. Maybe it was frightening or exhilarating. Maybe we are in awe of their bravery and courage in the face of a dangerous enemy. Maybe we’re romanticizing or dramatizing an experience we know little about. Perhaps we do know a thing or two about military service and what life is like for Veterans. Many of us have friends and or family members who’ve served. And yet, beyond the thanks we offer, what do we DO to repay them for their service? Can we ever truly repay someone’s sacrifice? Probably not. Is it our duty? Not exactly. Are we at least a little indebted? I think so. I also think we owe a show of gratitude beyond words. I think we need to demonstrate gratitude. Do something.
Ask yourself this- what can I do to help those who’ve dedicated their lives- in most cases, their youth, to live a better life after serving our country?
To answer this question, we must first consider some of the struggles Veterans face.
Here’s a short list:
- PTSD
- Physical Disabilities
- Mental Health Challenges
- Suicide
- Joblessness
- Addiction
- Chronic Pain Management
- Overprescription of Opioids
- Lack of access to care
- Long waits for care at the Veterans Administration Hospital System
- Prohibitions against natural solutions and plant medicines like cannabis
- Challenges with reintegrating into civilian society
- Loss of hope
- Homelessness
That’s the short list.
“What can I do?”, you may be thinking.
As with so many things in life that seem overwhelming, most problems can be solved in small steps. One small step builds the momentum required to tackle the next small step and those steps can add up to a big shift in perspective and then lead to solutions. It all starts with the first small step.
One issue we feel so strongly about here at Max and Steven’s is suicide prevention. The rate of suicide among our Vetrans is staggering. According to current data, approximately (or an average of ) 22 American Veterans commit suicide daily. The exact number is impossible to know as it varies day to day and also because reporting of suicides may lag or even go entirely unreported given the private and personal nature of the situation. Still, imagine 22 suicides each day. 22 lost lives and countless families left behind to make sense of it. Survivors left to try and put the pieces of their lives together in some sort of semi-cohesive way. To deal with the collateral damage. To explain to the children. To comfort the parents. To move forward in some way. To exist in a new reality filled with a flood of emotions and grief.
Why? Why is this happening?
Together we can support Veterans. We can cultivate awareness. We can provide mental health services. We can offer alternatives to the rampant overprescription of pharmaceutical drugs that more often than not, do more harm than good.
Together we can build and fortify a path forward.
Together we can offer alternatives. Perhaps, natural alternatives like cannabis.
The reasons are many and they aren’t entirely within our control. What is in our control is how we act and how we move forward in an effort to improve life for our Veterans, their families, our shared communities and our country.
So we ask something of you. It’s a big ask. We’re asking you to join us and our friends at veteransinitiative22.com
Together we may be able to save a life.
Certainly, together, we can change lives.
“How can I help?”, you may be asking again…
Here’s how to help:
Visit Veterans Initiative 22 (VI-22) www.veteransinitiative22.com to learn more and participate in helping Veterans and their families get the resources and support so badly needed.
If you or someone you know is a Veteran, Max & Steven’s has created a special VI-22 coupon code which you can get by contacting Eryck at info@veteransinitiative22.com
VI-22 and Max & Steven’s believe that CBD and Cannabis can save lives by offering a natural alternative to Veterans and their loved ones for managing conditions such as PTSD, chronic pain, insomnia, and many more.
Please help us help our Veterans.
Also, if you haven’t already seen it, watch Unprescribed– a film by Steve Ellmore Studios and Allegiance Films. Watch the movie and consider supporting their ongoing mission to save lives by ending suicide by Veterans. You can stream the movie for free on Amazon Prime. Visit http://www.theunprescribed.org to learn more.
In the meantime, next time you thank a Veteran, don’t end the conversation there. Maybe more words aren’t necessary to keep that conversation going. Maybe a shared moment of reflection or a handshake or a meaningful glance into the eyes of that Veteran can be action that makes the difference.
Sentimentality aside- take action.
Let’s do something. Let’s make a difference. Let’s demonstrate our gratitude. Let’s change lives. Let’s save a life with the knowledge that it can change the world.