“Celebrating Our Troops”

An Open Letter to the Church:

The community is sometimes unacquainted with the role of public service, and the lives of the many unsung heroes who have sacrificed their lives to provide global security and service to this country and community as a whole as military personnel.   As a veteran, I want to challenge our communities of faith to support our combat ready Armed Forces (by providing opportunities such as letter writing campaigns, support groups, goodie box collections and etc).

First, as civilians let’s educate ourselves to understand the needs and issues facing deployed, re-deployed and post-deployed U.S. military personnel and their families.  It is imperative that those who have never had the privilege and the opportunity to serve in the U.S. military to educate yourselves to the challenging and devastating effects that war (and deployment) has on soldiers and their families. 

Currently many of our loved ones/or friends are, or have served in the military, or on the front lines fighting for freedom and democracy for all Americans.  Our troops are our past, present and soon to be future released soldiers (who if they live long enough to make it back home) will come bearing the invisible scars of war such as but not limited to: chronic flashbacks, mental health disorders, suicide, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, sleep disorders, drug/alcohol addiction, traumatic brain injuries, domestic violence, higher than average suicide and divorce rates in addition to other psychological, social, mental and physical disorders all for the sake of “freedom” yours and mine.

Second, the church must provide support systems for returning soldiers; not only for soldiers, but their families as well.  I believe the Church is best suited and equipped to provide spiritual, emotional and holistic support for all its’ members.  Imagine the impact churches would have on our nation if they understood and mobilized to meet the challenges that our returning troops face on a daily. 

Thirdly, the church has the opportunity to offer a platform, venue, safe environment and network of people to provide healthy and holistic care for our returning soldiers and their families (please learn of ways to get involved).   Currently, strategic groups are beginning to work in collaboration with the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense to map out scenarios for impacting re-deployment and post-deployment soldiers.  Also, new initiatives are constantly being rolled out by organizations like:

My organization “Legacy House & Support Services for Veterans” in collaboration with the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) and the local VA hospital..  I Rev. Yvonne McJetters, a U.S. Navy Gulf War veteran, would like to end this letter by challenging the church (as a body of believers) to get involved in the lives of those of whom you’ve never meet; but have served and are still serving our nation so bravely and honorably.   Amen~                                                                                             

 Respectfully Submitted,

Rev. Yvonne McJetters,  M.Div