By: Lanora – Woman to Woman Blog

In this country that we call the United States we think of Independence Day as a day of joy and celebration of Freedom and Liberties. It’s a time of getting together with families sharing meals, fireworks and most of all memories of those that have served our country. But to many of our veterans who fought for those freedoms it can be severe bondage of the mind and body. My nephew 32 years young was a Gulf war veteran and he was one of those that fought for our freedom that all of us enjoy today. He chose to confront his demons a few years ago and end his suffering from his internal bondage after years of trying to adjust to life after war. He had a bright future ahead of him as an engineer and would have graduated from Kansas State.

There are so many questions and few answers in a situation like this. According to the 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report Part II, page 9 it shows from 2023 6,398 Veterans committed suicide compared to 2001 6,021. That statistic doesn’t include those who never contact the Veteran’s Administration for help. I expect that the number far exceeds it in 2024 – 2025. Even our youngest son who is a veteran recently said he doesn’t stay close to those whom he served with because so many of them have committed suicide or feel like they have no hope.