Veterans address somber realities at ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery
For many, Veterans Day is a celebration of country, heroism and service.
“It’s patriotism. You believe in your country. It’s a good country,” says Air Force veteran Tim Westin.
But to others, Veterans Day is a painful reminder of their time at war.
“It never ends. You get used to it and you live with it, but it never ends. Memories never go away,” reflects Steve Schmidt, a Marine Corp veteran.
That’s why, between the pomp and circumstance at Tahoma National Cemetery, speakers for the Veterans Day ceremony addressed a somber reality in Washington.
“Despite being 7% of Washington’s population, veterans account for 18% of suicides in our state. That’s more than 200 veteran suicides a year,” says David Puente with Washington State’s Department of Veterans Affairs. He’s also an Army veteran who has PTSD and says suicide prevention measures within the military community must be prioritized.
Veterans say getting the resources they need can be challenging.
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“It’s very difficult to get things at the VA hospital. You have to wait a long time,” says Westin.
Schmidt says that sometimes the barriers are internalized, telling KIRO 7, “I came back from Iraq, even as old as I was, with PTSD; with severe depression.”
Air Force veteran Gina Grosso gave the Veterans Day address at Tahoma National Cemetery. She says Americans need to show their support every day, not just on Veterans Day.
“Veterans Day is not just a day, but also a call to action. A reminder that it is our sacred responsibility as Americans to serve those who have served our country,” says Grosso.
