These Responses From Vets To A Memorial Day Tweet By The U.S. Army Are Utterly Devastating
On Memorial Day, we remember the ultimate sacrifice by members of our armed forces to preserve the freedoms and liberties of our country.
And remembering their sacrifice carries with it a responsibility to understand its long-reaching impacts and not to candy-coat the truth in the name of patriotism.
*Content warning: mentions of violence, death, trauma, suicide and sexual assault*
The U. S. Army posted to Twitter asking veterans what impact their time in the military had on their lives.
"How has serving impacted you?"
The intention was likely good, meaning to honor those who served, but a bulk of the responses were probably not what the Army had in mind.
How has serving impacted you?— U.S. Army (@U.S. Army) 1558654455
Many responses talked about the toll on the mental and physical health of those who serve, even when they do make it back home.
@USArmy My siblings don't speak on it much because it takes them to a very dark place, but the one thing they both… https://t.co/MxqGXV5igh— Your Neighborhood Philanthropist🎧🎙🏁😷 (@Your Neighborhood Philanthropist🎧🎙🏁😷) 1558883456
The trauma and sacrifice wasn't always related to combat.
@USArmy Just lost my cousin to stage 4 cancer from drinking “dirty” water at Camp Lejeune. Served his country witho… https://t.co/5i5PRPHcui— TequilaOperator (@TequilaOperator) 1558887937
Agent Orange has had a horrible impact on many lives too.
@USArmy The agent orange my grandfather was exposed to in Vietnam caused his cancer & death, and possibly caused th… https://t.co/HBBUYftlHH— Llewys (@Llewys) 1558882173
@USArmy Never met my grandfather thanks to a long battle with melanoma from Agent Orange in Vietnam but thanks for asking— gillian (@gillian) 1558931315
Many who made it home still couldn't reconcile civilian life with their time in service, and their loved ones lost them anyway.
@USArmy My high school friend Ron Keeling committed suicide in 2009 after his second tour in Iraq. I didn’t keep in… https://t.co/HYaSCUXB5P— Michael Alexander (@Michael Alexander) 1558907111
@USArmy My brother went at 18, served as a sergeant in the Gulf war, came home a loner and an alcoholic, walked in… https://t.co/f09JkmgxPv— #CitizenG (@#CitizenG) 1558918315
@USArmy Two friends commuitted suicide, another has a broken back, another is deaf in one ear, harrased by my 1st… https://t.co/RPN9EJyUBC— 🏳️🌈🎃 🦇Adelaide Knight SPOOKMAS🦇🎃 🏳️🌈 (@🏳️🌈🎃 🦇Adelaide Knight SPOOKMAS🦇🎃 🏳️🌈) 1558917501
Many people who read through the thread were horrified by what they read.
Several were thankful for the people speaking out, as the suffering experiences by those who serve is often only talked about in hushed voices in private spaces.
@USArmy I’m glad this is getting as much flak as it is. The army is a predatory service and it is FINALLY being cal… https://t.co/u3FGkwItll— Four Pillars of Hell (@Four Pillars of Hell) 1558926882
@USArmy Holy crap, this thread.— 𝔪𝔞𝔱𝔱 (@𝔪𝔞𝔱𝔱) 1558928884
@USArmy I couldnt read more than 10 stories. Really disheartening. Try to be strong everyone, and for those that ca… https://t.co/A0vniw3Fkt— The Outer Limits...please standby (@The Outer Limits...please standby) 1558885140
@USArmy Seeing all these responses is sad. Trying to remember all those who didn’t come home this Memorial Day wee… https://t.co/eLW2URN9au— Nate Gutschow (@Nate Gutschow) 1558921378
The Army acknowledged the torrent of negative responses to their tweet, and urged anyone currently in crisis to reach out.
To everyone who responded to this thread, thank you for sharing your story. Your stories are real, they matter, and… https://t.co/qB63x2gf22— U.S. Army (@U.S. Army) 1558816876
As we honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice this weekend by remembering their service, we are also mindful of… https://t.co/nsDnTzXCTf— U.S. Army (@U.S. Army) 1558816876
If you or someone you know is in need of help, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (and press 1… https://t.co/BHzHkXt7KK— U.S. Army (@U.S. Army) 1558816876
Several people pointed out that a phone number is not enough, and doesn't absolve the armed forces of responsibility to care for those who served.
As well as their duty to defend and honor the service of their LGBTQ servicemembers, regardless of the religious beliefs of any members of the executive branch.
7 for me and I feel the same. https://t.co/ghT9iEemao— Dan Goodman🧢🖖🍎🦄 (@Dan Goodman🧢🖖🍎🦄) 1558836833
So much gratitude & #respect to all serving, who have served, 2 those whose service & personhood are marginalized,… https://t.co/aPFuLdmhc7— Jill Hennessy (@Jill Hennessy) 1558881140
While the current system is wholly insufficient, crisis lines like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline listed in the U. S. Army's tweet are there to help anyone in crisis.
If a phone call isn't going to be helpful, the Lifeline also has an online chat option at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.