I didn’t have to look far to find my heroes; they were right here in Greene County. My granddad, Jack, was a World War II veteran who served in a Tank Destroyer battalion. My uncle Bill was a Marine who fought in the Pacific. Another Bill, an educator I admired in elementary school, flew fighter planes during that same war.
Their stories and sense of service left a lasting impression on me in my youth. When I considered enlisting, it was individuals like Tim, an Army veteran who became a police officer, and Joe, an educator and Vietnam veteran, who offered guidance that set me on my own path. That path led to a 29-year career in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, including deployments to Kosovo and Iraq.
During my journey, I learned the true meaning of being a soldier and a leader from men like Marc, Paul, and Pete. Marc was more than just my platoon sergeant; he was like a cool uncle who genuinely cared about my success. Paul treated me like a younger brother, always believing in me; while Pete… well, Pete scared the hell out of me, but he also motivated me just as much. These men, along with many others, taught me the values of fidelity, integrity, and dedication to the organization.
The promise of service doesn’t end when you take off your uniform. I witness it every day through veterans like Don, who served in Vietnam with the renowned “Wolfhounds” of the 27th Infantry Regiment. He continues to honor his comrades by participating in funeral details and visiting veterans in care homes. I also see this dedication in Dan, a fellow member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. After serving two tours in Iraq, he returned home, completed his college education, and now serves on active duty. Dan is passionate in ensuring that the stories of our generation’s veterans are shared. Their commitment didn’t end; it simply took on a new form.
This image of a strong, capable veteran conceals a harsh reality: the battle doesn’t always end when you return home. Often, the most intense struggles are the ones fought in silence, long after the guns have fallen silent. No one understands this better than our families. My wife and child have sacrificed more than I can express—enduring deployments, missed holidays, and the quiet worry that comes with loving a soldier. They, along with all military families, serve alongside us, shouldering a burden that is often invisible to the rest of the world. Their support is invaluable, and their sacrifices should not go unnoticed.
The invisible wounds of war are often the most dangerous. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a genuine injury to the brain’s alarm system. It can show up in various ways, such as nightmares that transport you back to the worst day of your life, a persistent feeling of being “on guard,” or an emotional numbness that disconnects you from the very family you served to protect.
Moral injury refers to the suffering that arises not from what was done to you, but from the actions you were compelled to take. It embodies the shame of breaching your own moral code in the intense realities of combat. Alongside this, there is the heavy burden of survivor’s guilt—the relentless questioning of “Why me? Why did I survive when others did not?” This combination creates a toxic mix of fear, shame, and grief.
These wounds, when left untreated, can be fatal. The statistics are a national tragedy: on average, 17 veterans die by suicide every day in America. They survived the war, only to struggle at home.
How can we fulfill our duty to the men and women who served? It requires a fundamental shift in how we, as a community, view our returning warriors. Psychotherapist Dr. Edward Tick argues that we must understand PTSD not just as a clinical disorder, but as a “soul wound.” In ancient societies, warriors were welcomed home with rituals of purification and storytelling. Today, we typically offer a handshake and a “thank you for your service,” leaving veterans to navigate their spiritual and psychological wounds alone.
Dr. Tick advocates for a “Warrior’s Return”—a process in which the community takes an active role in helping veterans transform their pain. We need to create safe spaces where they can share their stories without fear of judgment. Their healing is not solely their responsibility. It is our debt and duty to support them. We must actively engage in their healing, not just as a gesture of gratitude, but as a crucial step toward their reintegration into our community.
This may seem like a daunting task, but help is closer than you might think. There are effective resources available right now for any veteran in crisis.
The COMPACT Act ensures that any eligible veteran experiencing a suicidal crisis can go to any emergency room—whether it’s a VA facility or a civilian hospital—and receive immediate care at no cost. No one should lose their life due to the fear of hospital bills.
Next, save this number in your phone: 988, then press 1. This is the Veterans Crisis Line, which is free, confidential, and available 24/7 for any veteran and their family members. It’s a lifeline in your pocket.
Finally, reinforcements have arrived in Greene County. The County Office of Veterans Affairs is ready to assist you. Local VFW and American Legion posts, along with similar service organizations, serve as hubs of camaraderie. Additionally, a vital new group called Together with Veterans-Greene County is actively working to prevent suicide by connecting veterans. They host monthly coffee gatherings on the second Saturday of each month (except August), from 8:00 to 10:00 AM. The location varies to reach more veterans, so be sure to check their Facebook page or look for their schedule in the Greene Scene to find the next meeting.
The commitment to our veterans never fades. For those of us who have served, this is a promise. It should also be a promise to the community we served. Let us be a community that does more than just remember our veterans on holidays; let us actively engage in their homecomings, listen to their stories, share their burdens, and guide them to the help they have earned countless times over. Let us be the community that truly brings them all the way home.
This is agreat program wish I had more time to attend more of them there is a lot of great people who attend these functions
Great article and informative!