Laws & Rights
We Will Not Forget: Honor Veterans with a Buddy Check
Today, we have a very special guest post from the National Shooting Sports Foundation‘s Mark Oliva. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HONOR VETERANS WITH A LIFESAVING BUDDY CHECK
Veterans Day is a solemn occasion for many. It is a time when we, as a nation, honor those who wore the uniform and stood in defense of all we hold dear. It is a reminder of those who served during war and peace, that those select few swore an oath to defend the U.S. Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. These are the men and women who picked up a rifle to stand between that which we treasure and those that threaten our way of life.
The holiday started as Armistice Day, marking the 11thย hour of the 11thย day of the 11thย month. Thatโs when WWI, known then as the Great War, ended. Thatโs the day the guns fell silent.
For those of us in the firearm industry, thatโs an important reminder of the selflessness, bravery and patriotism of those Americans who have defended our nation. Generation after generation, Americans have stepped forward to answer the call to arms when Americaโs enemies lurked at the door. Though they number in the millions, they are the few of us that represent the best of us.
It is also why on this Veterans Day, the firearm industry reminds everyone that this is more than just a celebration of veterans and their patriotism. The parades and gatherings will fade but the veteran remains. They are sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters. For some of us who were privileged to serve alongside them in the most trying circumstances, they are closer than family. We owe them the very best of who we are as neighbors, communities and a nation.
Thatโs why Veterans Day is a poignant reminder to all that we have a duty to our veterans. For some of those veterans, the guns never fell silent. The battlefield still echoes in their ears. The sights, sounds and smells of war linger. We owe it to one another as fellow veterans โ as Americans who are indebted to those who purchased our freedoms โ to honor veterans by making a โbuddy check.โ
Reach Out
The firearm industry is encouraging all veterans and those who love their veterans to make a โbuddy check.โ Reach out to the veterans around you and see how theyโre doing. Listen. Truly listen to what they have to say, and sometimes what they donโt say. Ask questions, even if theyโre uncomfortable. The Department of Veterans Affairs has theย Reach Outย program to get veterans connected with the necessary resources to navigate depression, grief or loss, post traumatic stress and other life challenges.
The tragic reality is that America is still losing veterans. Suicide among veterans remains unacceptably too common. Thatโs whyย NSSF partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)ย to provide firearm retailers and ranges the resources they need to help anyone to have a brave conversation. Through the firearm industryโsย Project ChildSafeยฎย initiative, over 40 million free firearm safety kits have been distributed free of charge to ensure firearms are locked and inaccessible to those who shouldnโt have their hands on them.
The firearm industry isnโt the expert on suicide prevention. Thatโs why weโve partnered with those experts. However, the issue of suicide โ especially veteran suicide โ is serious enough that each of us has a duty to the veterans in our lives to make a difference. That starts with thatย brave conversation.ย It might also mean getting veterans steered toward the resources they need to address their mental health struggles. Time and distance mean the difference. If someone is struggling with suicidal ideations and owns firearms, offering to take those guns or find other temporary offsite storage for them can literally save lives.
It doesnโt mean veterans have to give up their guns forever. The Second Amendment rights that all veterans fought to preserve can still be retained. Voluntarily seeking mental health treatment doesnโt mean these rights go away. Offering to intervene, though, can save lives.
โYou know why Iโm here.โ
Many of us have already done this, including me. There was a late-night phone call during the holidays from a fellow veteran that another Marine with whom we had served wasnโt answering the phone. Family was hours away. A drive through pouring rain and pounding on a door gave way to relief when that Marine finally opened it. I wrapped that Marine in my arms and said, โYou know why Iโm here and you know Iโm not leaving.โ
I asked where his guns were and gathered them up. I stayed the night and got that Marine to the medical professionals who could help him. Weeks later when he was again healthy, those guns were returned. That Marine was married to his bride just months ago.
Caylin Wojcik, a combat-wounded Marine sniper and co-founder of Modern Day Sniper, a long-range training program,ย shared his thoughtsย on the importance of the firearm industry making a difference in veteransโ lives. He explained he lost a close friend to suicide and has come close to losing others.
โI think itโs very important to talk about mental health,โ Wojcik said. โI think itโs important to talk about suicide prevention programs and reduce the stigmatism that surrounds it and show people that, hey, itโs okay to talk about these things.โ
Veterans fought to preserve our freedoms. Make a point this Veterans Day to honor their service by making a โbuddy checkโ. Offer to talk over a cup of coffee. Be there. Be present. Be willing to listen and be willing to act to save lives.
We owe it to the very best of us to be there when they need it.
If you are in crisis or want to help someone in crisis, call 988, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Veterans should call 988 and press 1.
-
Laws & Rights3 weeks ago
I Take It All Back: David Hogg is a GIFT
-
Laws & Rights4 days ago
New President, New Precedent! U.S. Government Directly Supports Hawaiian Gun Owners
-
By Interest2 weeks ago
Why Do “Gun Buybacks” Keep Going Hilariously Wrong?
-
Laws & Rights4 weeks ago
12 MOA Drop: Bondi’s 2A Task Force Should Focus on 12 States
-
Laws & Rights1 month ago
Dem Senators: Just Like You and Me, Only BETTER!
-
Laws & Rights1 month ago
Why Are Anti-Gunners So Violent? Capri Hookah Lounge Edition
-
By Brand2 months ago
Back to the Future! Desert Tech’s QUATTRO-15 Complete Rifle Puts Hollywood to Shame
-
Uncategorized2 months ago
Overton Window Shopping: New York Times Peeks at Realistic 2A Coverage