Afghanistan

To America’s Veterans, their families, survivors, and caregivers: I know it is painful to see the images from Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan, especially for the hundreds of thousands of Veterans who have served there since that fateful day in September 2001. When our country was attacked, you and your loved ones made the heroic choice to run towards the fight. That courageous sacrifice matters and has made us safer, no matter what happens today or any other day.

The events in Afghanistan may also trigger reactions among Veterans who fought in other conflicts because it reminds them of their own similar experiences. If your distress is prolonged or you are unable to function well, consider seeking help. There are competent and caring professionals available who can help you with the most common responses such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, moral injury, and complicated grief. It is a good idea to try meeting with a mental health professional at least once. The sooner you get help, the sooner you will feel better.

The second part of this series focuses on how those who served in Afghanistan can learn from those who served in Vietnam. While the conflicts are different, there are parallels.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Cody Hitson, who served as a journalist and deployed to Afghanistan.

Major news outlets for the past few months have focused on the nation’s longest war: Afghanistan. With a high of more than 100,000 U.S. troops in 2010, the number of troops continued to shrink over the past decade. While news coverage debates the decision to cease combat operations, the highest-ranking enlisted service member in the military said Veterans from the war should remember the positive to help reconcile their service.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Panya Laona, who deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan during his service.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran James Martin Grace Jr., who served as a linguist manager and deployed to Afghanistan.

Navy SEAL Danny P. Dietz was part of a four-man reconnaissance team tasked to kill or capture Ahmad Shah during Operation Red Wings.

During Caribbean-American Heritage Month, today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Pedro Munoz, who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Clavonne Antonnette Davis, who served during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars during a 25-year career.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Jason Redman, who served as a Navy SEAL during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

During Pride Month, today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Adrianna Vorderbruggen, who was killed in action in Afghanistan.