Christmas, life and aquariums.

[DaneGer21]

BS!! This an excuse to make people feel better for NOT helping. A kind word, a bag of food, a shower and clean laundry... Nobody can tell me they can't help with that while they post here whining that their $5000 dollar aquarium has algae issues.

This is NOT the way to ask for help. I also have family and friends who served, so I get it. But can I offer what you WANT, no. Do we all have $5k aquariums, NO.

Honestly, maybe the next time I do offer help, it will be where people don’t pressure me…

 

[fish farmer]

Probably because the post is aggressive, assumptive, and shaming.

Some of us have been abused at the hands of these VETS. Some of us volunteer to help homeless VETS every Christmas or Thanksgiving. Some of us have C-PTSD, and it's hard to continue to suck air most days. Maybe the other things people choose to put their attention and effort into is what is helping them to stay safe. No one else gets to say that we're wrong for spending money because VETS are going without.

Your outrage would be better directed at Congress. The US Military is the largest socialist organization in this Nation, and they certainly have the means to provide more support to our vets — but they have to fill out the forms. They have to show up. The government has made shifts over the last few years making it safer to seek mental health services without fear of discharge. The VA has so many resources — but again, you have to show up.

My ex is a retired 20-year Marine, with severe PTSD, and receiving 100% disability pay in addition to retirement pay.

My ex-husband has been serving in the Army since 2006, and intends to re-up as long as they'll let him.

My father and both grandfathers were lifers in the Navy.

I've been to countless VA appointments, weekly therapy, and 2/3 of my kids are on Tricare.

My heart breaks for the homeless and struggling vets, and I participate in several military charitable causes and events every year. And yeah, I buy corals and fish, too. These things are not mutually exclusive.

♥

You bring up some good points.

Mental heath is a tough one, even if you are unstable, it is up to the individual to seek the help they need. I lived with someone (not a Vet) who had bipolar issues as well as drug and alcohol issues. When this person actually got the help they had to hit rock bottom and be a danger to themselves or others. I couldn't just drop this person off somewhere to get fixed.

My wife works as a mental health counselor, she may work with disabled vets and others, some people may be homeless. The work can be uplifting when she helps people get jobs or the services they need. Even being trained in mental health it is VERY draining on her and she's been doing it for about ten years.

We keep in touch with one of our local vets since he is aging and alone. He wasn't a front line guy, but cared for wounded soldiers coming back from Vietnam. Even in his situation he could live with his brother and share the family house, but they don't get along.

 

[kittenbritches]

That WE as Americans, should regard these people as heroes... THEY earned it!!

There is no "should." How many young men and women enlist so they can get a college education, who are then sent into meaningless, unending war zones to "fight for our freedom" when they have also been fighting to secure or claim relationships for oil. It's been that way since Vietnam, which is really when there was a giant uptick in struggling, homeless, suicidal, alcoholic vets who drove their lives into the ground because they WEREN'T heroes. They fought in wars which were largely unsupported by the country. Aside from eventually getting Bin Laden by first invading a country that wasn't involved, and trying to force democracy down the throats of those who didn't want it, what was it for? We got Bin Laden in what, 2011?

Our government abuses recruits for their own gain — not ours. The whole "freedom isn't free" shtick is no longer relevant.

I do hope that those who can help those less fortunate in our country will do so, but they absolutely should not be shamed or bullied into it.

Bless you and our troops, and may they all come home to supportive families who do regard them as heroes. May our government stop sending them into missions that require them to kill civilians and entire families. The government creates the PTSD. They should proactively cradle and reintegrate veterans, and make therapy mandatory to anyone who has seen combat.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Do you know that US combat Vets die at TWICE the rate by suicide than combat?

WHY do we disregard these men and women? Because they are ugly? Dirty? Not part of "our" circle? WHY?

Why do they choose death? Because they have seen horrors in reality that we only see in movies and video games? For them, there is no reset button!! They have to live with their experience. and we casually dismiss them as "losers" "lazy" "worthless"

All these people want is to return to their families, their homes and lives... For many, there is no going back to what was. They face a life of hatred, prejudice, and abandonment.

While we worry about Trump or Biden, Gas prices, and what will be our new coral purchase, these Vets, who served the FLAG live a life of discord, hatred and abandonment.

Did you serve? I know I did. And as @kittenbritches said..yet here I am buying fish and corals.

 

[Dolphins18]

Great post!

You guys should check out this non profit, they set vets up with the equipment and knowledge to keep reef tanks.

https://therapeutictanks.org/

Edit: reading thru the rest of the thread, people sure do love to argue. It's the holidays people.
So tense in America..

 

[flashsmith]

People can make choices.. Animals cannot make choices. So guess which causes get my money? There's alot of great charities but flaming on a forum because people choose to donate to something other than the one YOU choose is a dick move..... Happy Holidays!

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

To try and salvage this thread...let's talk about the good things we have done. Here are four off the top of my head.

• I have donated to my local rotary club both food, time and money to serve the under priveledge in my community.
• I have hired an Afghanistan combat vet (the one actually doing patrols in the streets who has some real ptsd) and am giving him an opportunity to become a software developer when no one else did.
• I donate time and money to the American cancer society
• I tip my waiters and waitress a bunch more than standard because I know they are out working.

 

[Peace River]

As a US Army veteran I fully acknowledge the needs of our veterans and strongly encourage high support to those who served. Thank you to everyone who shared their passion and perspectives in this thread. We are choosing to close the thread at this time - thank you in advance for your understanding and patience with this decision.

If you are a veteran in need of help, or have been been negatively impacted by the military or its members, please reach out to a trained specialist for help and get the support that you need to thrive.