The Veterans Crisis Line is staffed 24/7/365 by professional responders to immediately connect Veterans and family members with mental health resources. The number is 1-800-273-8255 (press 1 for Veterans or their families or friends). Folks can also text 838255, or chat online. Save the number into your phone, write it down and stick it on the fridge, post the link on Facebook—do everything you can to get it out there. It should be a reflexive action to whip the number out if you catch even an inkling of a Veteran in crisis. More than 28,000 rescues have been made since 2007, so it works.

How quickly we forget. My apologies to all veterans and to the politicians we elect that fail us yet again and again to make this economy strong.

Gary Chamberlain, Chu Lai Vietnam 1967