Dear American Veterans,
Let me start by saying thank you. To all of you. We recently celebrated Veterans Day and you truly do deserve the recognition this day gives you. I think it’s common for people to not necessarily think about current or former service members until they are forced to. I know I certainly am guilty of this. You have made and continue to make so many sacrifices for our country, for me, and it’s something that we tend to forget.
Let me also start by saying that I am one of the many students across the United States that does not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance andI feel like I should explain to you, if to no one else, why. I have been criticized for disrespecting our veterans because I don’t stand for the Pledge. I can assure you, I mean absolutely no disrespect to veterans or the country you fought for. I am so grateful for veterans because you are the ones that have fought for the rights that allow me the choice of whether or not to stand, among so many other ones. I am so grateful for veterans because you have risked your lives for your country. I do not stand for the Pledge because of the respect I have for you. I do not stand for the Pledge because veterans always have, and always will be, more than a flag.
In return, your country has failed you. Veterans make up roughly 11% of the total homeless population in the United States, with 45% of those homeless veterans being African American or Hispanic. While the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs does have programs in place to help homeless veterans, there are not nearly enough resources for the amount of veterans that need them. Factors contributing to homelessness rates in veterans are the same ones that contribute to homelessness rates in any demographic: mental illnesses or substance abuse disorders. It has been estimated that 20% of veterans that served in Afghanistan or Iraq suffer from major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, and only half of all veterans requiring mental health services will actually receive them. Additionally, a quarter of veterans from Afghanistan or Iraq are estimated to have a substance abuse disorder. The United States has created such a stigma around mental illness, both in civilian and military communities, that veterans often feel shame or concern for being seen as weak if they attempt to seek mental health services. Stemming from these mental health issues are suicide rates among veterans; on average, twenty veterans commit suicide daily. The fact that this is the reality of many veteran’s lives is unbelievable to me considering the United States prides itself on having one of the most powerful militaries in the entire world. But what good is that if this is how we treat our soldiers once they leave the military? What good is that if veterans have to continue fighting battles (oftentimes alone) after leaving the military?
So, no, I do not mean any disrespect to America’s veterans or to America itself when I do not stand for the Pledge. By not standing for the Pledge, I am voicing my disdain for the injustices America allows to be perpetrated against certain populations, including its own veterans. The current treatment of America’s veterans is something I can’t and won’t stand for.
