Beyond the Salutes: What Veterans Day Means to Me

This Veterans Day, while the NFL, college football, and retailers from coast-to-coast execute grand performative “Salute to Service” campaigns, we are reminded of this nation’s heightened respect for military service, permeating all aspects of culture and society.

While it is vital to acknowledge the gallantry of the generations of uniformed men and women who have been, and remain to this day, proudly willing to put it all on the line in the name of freedom, behind the valor and the applause lies a reality seldom addressed publicly that I was reminded of today with a simple piece of stationery.

As I sat down at my desk this morning, a note I received from a new friend, Crystal Clark , caught my eye. Inside, there was a hand-written message, outside, the name of the charity Crystal represents spoke loudly to me as a mandate for this Veterans Day:

STOP SOLDIER SUICIDE.

Did you know veterans are at a 72% higher risk of suicide compared to non-veterans? Here are a few shocking statistics that speak to the magnitude of this crisis:

• Since 2001, over 131,000 veterans have died by suicide, a figure equivalent to the entire population of Topeka, Kansas.
• Suicide is the second-leading causing of death for veterans under 45.
• Annually, the number of veteran suicides has topped 6,000 for over two decades.
• The suicide rate of women veterans is nearly double that of non-veteran women.

These numbers aren’t just statistics; they represent an urgent call to action. And not just for the Department of Defense of the VA, but for all Americans.

Personally, I have committed to doing more to directly affect these alarming statistics in a positive manner. Besides choosing to direct my charitable activities toward organizations like #StopSoldierSuicide, I am interested in developing innovative ways to constructively address veteran mental health issues.

I came across one such approach during my doctoral work in Mythological Studies and Depth Psychology. While “mythological studies” may seem an unusual field of academic inquiry, I chose to study myth because I define mythology as “the architect of reality and resilience” that shapes human psychology and societal structures. This framework facilitates pathways toward psychological resilience and transformative action, proving indispensable in our journey toward understanding and navigating the complexities of life.

My doctoral research utilizes the methodological approach of “applied mythology” to interpret myths for modern relevance in order to influence contemporary human behaviors, especially those faced by veterans navigating the treacherous transition to civilian life.

It is my belief that alternative methodologies like applied mythology can offer powerful healing and coping mechanisms for veterans, helping them navigate the oft-treacherous waters of their post-service lives. This methodology has proven effective with various demographic groups, including inner-city young men. For instance, Pacifica Graduate Institute 's Kwame Scruggs utilizes mythological storytelling to empower high school dropouts and charter school students in Akron and Cleveland, guiding them to become heroes in their own lives. His work through Alchemy, Inc. has been nationally recognized and serves as a testament to the transformative power of storytelling, which could have similarly positive outcome for our veterans in crisis.

As we honor our veterans, let’s commit to transforming our appreciation into action. For me that means leveraging my passion for storytelling, myth, and human psychology into new ways to reach veterans and address the issues most important to them.

What does it mean for you?

Let’s ensure that our gestures of gratitude are not just annual formalities but steps towards real support and understanding. Let’s pledge to listen, to learn, and to help change the narrative from one of struggle to one of support and resilience.

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