UNTIL VALHALLA
Image Source: Tanner Ross (Unsplash)
"Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I have died with honour, Valhalla awaits me. Where the brave shall live forever . . . " - A Viking Saying.
In Norse (Viking) mythology, Valhalla is the hall of the slain (also known as warrior heaven) - where the fallen reside after giving their lives in battle. This weekend, we will celebrate Memorial Day across the USA. The memory of those who gave all in service to their country will be honored with the laying of wreaths, moments of silence, and prayers.
Being a non-combat veteran, I was part of the all who gave some. When I converse with my fellow veterans who served in-country, I always thank them and acknowledge that their time in military service meant more than mine - each time, I receive the same response, "I don't see it that way. We all wore the same uniform". It is a very humbling perspective.
On Memorial Day (and every day), I give thanks for the freedoms I enjoy because of those who sacrificed to defend our country - from the Revolutionary War to the wars in the Middle East. Each time, the citizen soldier was called upon to hold a line, often at a high cost to their wellbeing. Many never returned home, and those that did carry memories that last a lifetime.
In the final scene of the 2002 movie, We Were Soldiers (based on the 1992 novel, We Were Soldiers Once . . . And Young), war correspondent Joseph Galloway (played by Barry Pepper) writes, "In the silence of the night, we will always hear the screams." I will comment on Mr. Galloway's statement to close out mental health awareness month.
Galloway referenced the wounds of war afflicting many who have served in combat. Some are apparent such as loss of limbs and traumatic brain injury (impairs speech, memory, and motor skills). However, others are less obvious, like post-traumatic stress disorder or injury (PTSD/PTSI). Many servicemembers suffer in silence from these injuries, especially those affecting their mental health. I say silence because it may be difficult for combat veterans to admit they are struggling and perceive themselves as weak for saying, "I don't got this today." Self-medication with alcohol or drugs and homelessness are real issues for our veterans. Depending on the source you read, 22+ veterans die by suicide. However, all hope is not lost.
Image Source: Duncan Kidd (Unsplash)
In the last year, I have had the honor of connecting with three organizations whose mission is to reconnect veterans with each other and offer mental resiliency services - The Veterans Healing Farm, Warriors at Ease, and Warrior Canine Connection. In a previous post, I discussed the healing farm. In the future, I will share my experiences with WAE and WCC. There are many organizations with similar missions, and the following is a list of those I know of. Please feel free to add more in this post's comments section.
· Save a Warrior
· Mission 22
· Wounded Warrior
· Gary Sinise Foundation
· American Legion's Be The One and Buddy Check Campaigns
· Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 and press 1
· Equestrian Holistic Retreat Getaway For Those Who Serve Us
· Cook for Vets
If you know a veteran or servicemember who may be struggling, reach out to them and offer assistance. Contact me, or any of the organizations mentioned earlier for guidance. Our veterans and active duty servicemembers served us. Let's help them.
As emphasis, I leave you with a quote from the final scene in We Were Soldiers. Until next time -
Namaste,
Tim
"Some had families waiting. For others, their only family would be the men they bled beside. There were no bands, no flags . . . no honor guards to welcome them home. They went to war because their country ordered them to. But in the end, they fought not for their country or their flag. They fought for each other. We who have seen war will never stop seeing. In the silence of the night, we will always hear the screams. So this is our story. For we were soldiers once . . . and young." - Joseph L. Galloway (We Were Soldiers).
References
Moore, Harold G.; Galloway, Joseph L. (October 20, 1992). We Were Soldiers Once… And Young (Hardcover ed.). Random House Publishing Group.
In Memorium