Veterans and Military Families Need Our Help. The Time to Act is NOW.

When I first entered the US Army, the former Soviet Union was coming to an end.?The Berlin Wall had been torn down and the end of the Cold War had begun.?As a very young soldier, I remember continuing training for the possibility of an uprising from?the Soviet Union. The likelihood seemed doubtful as time went by.?It was a great time for our US Military and our country.

Today, we are witnessing those past fears arising again with battle in Ukraine.?

"While I am concerned about world events, humanity for all, and the safety of our US population, I am also deeply concerned about our current military members’, our veterans’ and their family's physical and mental wellbeing.?"

In my position as the CEO of USA Cares, I have the privilege of working with both our veteran and active military communities.?Being a combat veteran, I can tell you what he has witnessed regarding national security over the past year has caused tremendous anxiety and depression for all who have served.?

The veteran suicide rate has increased significantly since the start of COVID.?The more we witness the tragic events abroad, the more we forget our veterans suffering here at home!?It’s an unfortunate case of “out of sight, out of mind."

A recent study shows the veteran suicide epidemic growing.?Suicide devastates the military community as the rate among veterans rose 35.9% from 2001 to 2019 from?23.3?per 100,000 in 2001 to 31.6 per 100,000 in 2019 (National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 2021).?From what we are seeing, this trend is still on the rise.?

"This is a battle we cannot afford to lose here at home.?Don’t let us lose the fight for our veterans during a time of great need."?

USA Cares is relied upon by dozens of other government organizations and large nonprofits to be that line-in-the-sand. The requests for assistance are skyrocketing at an alarming rate. It takes $5,000 to keep just ONE family in their home, food on their table, utilities connected, and vehicle in their possession. The harsh reality is the need is far greater than the means, and without the critical funding these families desperately need we will have to turn them away. For many, this could be their last hope before deciding to end their life.

The time to act is NOW. Our veterans are hurting, and they need our help before it’s too late. Make a difference through USA Cares, right now. Veteran lives depend on it.

Trace Chesser

USA Cares, President & CEO

https://usacares.org/donate/