One by one they decide to serve this country during a time of war. One by one they continue to sign their lives away, if that’s what it takes. They have each made this decision knowing they may pay the ultimate price.
One by one they stand strong, as they look to the one on their right and to the one on their left. They pledge to fight for each other, as well as for country, family and home.
One by one they watch, as the one who stood beside them falls. And another steps up, one by one they stand, they fight.
One by one they return home. One thing that never entered their minds was returning home changed, injured, mutilated, unrecognizable.
One by one they fall through the cracks. One by one they take their own life, the one they so eagerly signed over to serve. One by one for every hour of everyday, they die.
Why is it that one by one we turn our eyes away? One by one we choose to ignore, to act as though we don’t know their struggles, to not reach out to those standing so close.
One by one we will be held accountable. Which one are you, the one who served, the one who reached out, or the one who quietly turned away?
Be the one, the one who cares, the one who listens, the one who stands up for and beside them. Be on their right, and on their left, walk before them. And always have their back–as they had yours.
Please, do what ever you can. Let’s stop death by suicide among or warriors!!!
Writing to Heal 