War is a terrible thing. It is generally accepted that there are two rules regarding war:
First: Good men and women die. Second: You cannot change rule No. 1.
There are 84,400-plus names on the Vietnam Wall in D.C. Statistics reveal that twice as many as that number have, one way or another, taken their lives after returning from Southeast Asia.
Since 9/11, we have lost more veterans to suicide than to combat. Staggering? Not a good thing. What can we do? And what about those left behind – friends and families of these casualties?
Churches have finally acknowledged that these tragic life endings are no longer considered sin, that they have not been carefully planned, that they happen when pain overrides reason. Comforting to survivors, but not enough.
There must be prevention. Therapy helps. Some non-addictive medicines also help. Family support helps. Yet the deaths continue. It seems that some are just not preventable, at least so far.
Until we figure the conundrum out, we must help heal the families and friends who suffer long after these deaths.
If you are grieving, take a drive to Lewes via Route 1 and look for a church and a Mr. Tire store. The crossroad is Tulip Drive. See the field of crosses, many with names on them, names of veterans who committed suicide. The number increases each day for a whole month. It will reach over 600 crosses in all. You may see a group of men setting more crosses, praying over each and maybe someone saluting a last farewell. If you choose, July 7, a Sunday, you can share in a ceremony of prayer and remembrance, confirming the value of the lives of these men and women, holding their memories in your own hearts.
This field of broken dreams honors those who died and heals those who live.
This endeavor comes from 22aday.org, a nonprofit for awareness and prevention of veteran suicide, and sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the pastor of St. Jude’s Church.
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