By REY FLORES
Just this past week, a 76-year-old veteran was reportedly unable to see an emergency room physician at a Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital on Long Island, New York, as he sought help for psychological problems he was experiencing.
He proceeded to return to his car, pulled out a gun and killed himself.
A hospital worker told The New York Times that someone “dropped the ball,” questioning why the veteran was not referred to the hospital’s mental health center.
Sounds like they did drop the ball, all right, and the ball continues to drop over and over again for our military veterans.
MilitaryTimes.com reported as follows on July 7, 2016:
“Roughly 20 veterans a day commit suicide nationwide, according to new data from the Department of Veterans Affairs — a figure that dispels the often quoted, but problematic, ‘22 a day’ estimate yet solidifies the disturbing mental health crisis the number implied.
“In 2014, the latest year available, more than 7,400 veterans took their own lives, accounting for 18 percent of all suicides in America. Veterans make up less than 9 percent of the U.S. population.
“About 70 percent of veterans who took their own lives were not regular users of VA services.
“The new data, being released publicly today, is the most comprehensive suicide study ever conducted by the department.”
I never served in the military. I guess I was too much of a lazy and stubborn coward to do so, but looking back on it, I wish I had done so. I sure could have used some discipline in my younger days, but that’s neither here nor there.
I have a great deal of respect for our active and retired military veterans. I often ask myself what it must be like to have enough courage to want to purposely enter into potential life and death situations. While not all military veterans may face active duty, the fact that they put themselves in a position to be called to active duty says a lot about a person’s courage and commitment to our nation.
The Military Suicide Research Consortium did a study to determine why troops and veterans commit suicide. The number one reason was a “desire to end emotional stress.” Other top reasons included the urge to end chronic sadness, a means of escaping people, or a way to express desperation.
These sound like reasons why anyone would want to kill themselves, not just military personnel. Depression, anxiety, and addictions all are cited as common reasons why people despair and end up committing suicide.
I thankfully have never felt suicidal, but I have known people who have, including one girl who attempted suicide when I was in high school. Whenever I have felt depressed or anxious, however, the first thing I do is ask God for His help. I will call upon the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary as well, and any other saints I can think of at that moment.
Speaking of that, let’s pause right here to invoke the intercession of the patron saints of military personnel and of those who are suicidal.
“In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost…
“Saints Michael the Archangel, Martin of Tours, Sebastian, Barbara, Joan of Arc, George, and all of the angels in Heaven, we ask that you intercede on behalf of these tortured souls who face danger so selflessly in service to our nation. That you ask our Lord Jesus to protect them from any harm from others and themselves when in despair. That they find comfort, peace, and solace under the mantle of our Holy Mother Mary and in your hands Lord. That all of these courageous souls find a way to eternal life with you in Heaven forever and ever. Amen.”
On April 15, 2015, The Washington Times reported the following:
“In December, a chaplain for a Ranger training battalion received an administrative letter of concern after a soldier complained that he advocated Christianity and used the Bible during a mandatory unit suicide-prevention training session. The Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers said the chaplain ‘used his official position to force his personal religious beliefs on a captive military audience. . . .’
“. . . A Navy chaplain was removed from his post and may lose his career after some sailors complained about his private counseling, in which he reportedly advocated against homosexuality and sex outside of marriage.” (Editor’s Note: The Navy eventually exonerated the chaplain in question.)
If we can’t seek to God for His help, whom then can we ask?
Here is a major reason why the demons of despair taunt and torture so many members of our military. When the Obama administration forces its secular and atheist guidelines against Christian prayer or any expression of Christian faith in this environment, then these spiritual assaults occur more frequently.
Add the Obama administration’s penchant for promoting paganism and secularism, and it all makes a powerful and ripe killing field more dangerous than any earthly battlefield a soldier could ever face.
The war for souls is worse than any war man has seen here on Earth. The war that happens inside all of us when God is eliminated from our lives is deadlier, bloodier, and fiercer, and it has eternal consequences.
Any weapon, be it a bomb, tank, or nuclear missile, could never inflict the kind of pain a soul can suffer in an eternity in Hell, separated from our Lord forever.
The Veterans Administration has too often failed our veterans and an overhaul of the humungous bureaucracy needs to happen.
Our military needs to allow Christian prayer — specifically Catholic prayer undisturbed and without persecution.
While veterans are dying and killing themselves for lack of health care, we are instead providing our tax dollars for sex-change operations. This too must stop.
January 17, 2017 cannot come soon enough, when we are finally rid of the worst president this nation has ever seen. Barack Obama has failed our military and our veterans in the worst ways possible, betraying our entire nation.
Remember to add the military men and women to your daily rosary intentions.
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(Rey Flores is a Catholic writer and speaker and an active member of the Church Militant. Contact Rey at reyfloresusa@gmail.com.)
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