by Kayleigh Farias, Copy Desk Chief
With Veteran’s Day now behind us, it’s easy to forget the importance of our veterans and how they were willing to risk their lives to serve our country. Veterans should feel loved and appreciated more than one day a year. Unfortunately, this is the least of the worries for some veterans.
According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, around 39,471 veterans experienced homelessness in 2016. While this is an extreme decrease from previous years, a greater awareness of this issue is still needed. Men and women that have fought for our freedom shouldn’t be discarded and left to waste away, they should be honored and treated like the heroes they truly are. We must fight harder to further decrease those numbers for veteran homelessness.
Furthermore, 20 veterans were said to commit suicide everyday last year according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This is a huge problem that needs to be addressed. These veterans can’t lose hope or feel forgotten. We should always express our appreciation for everything they have done for our country.
Next time you see a veteran or any member of the military, try telling them how thankful you are for your freedom because essentially, that is what they are offering their lives for. Maybe, if you see a veteran sitting alone at a restaurant, pay for their meal or go ask to sit with them to enjoy the rest of your meals together. I encourage you to get involved, volunteer at a veterans homeless shelter or the HEROES For Freedom Golf Tournament held annually in the Woodlands. Do whatever you can to make a difference in these men and women’s lives, as they have in yours.
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