Standing in front of delegates to The American Legion National Convention in Phoenix, U.S. Rep. Mark Takano addressed improvements made in health-care for veterans, and he and other members of Congress’ top priorities for the providing of care and benefits for those who have served in the U.S. military.
But the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) also had a message regarding veterans of the war in Afghanistan, just days after the last U.S. servicemember left the country after a 20-year war.
“In the days and weeks following our exit, we must remember that compressing 20 years of our involvement in Afghanistan into three weeks of evacuations was always going to be messy, but this does not diminish the honorable service of the hundreds of thousands of veterans who answered our nation’s call and left behind their families and communities,” Takano said. “This is a difficult time for many who served and those who supported their loved ones in Afghanistan. Please join me in reaching out to the veterans in your lives. Check in with your buddies. And if you need help, please know that it is okay to not be okay right now. VA’s Veterans Crisis Line is always there at 1-800-273-8255.”
Takano referenced The American Legion’s push to have Buddy Check legislation enacted by Congress, and in urging its members to continuously reach out to fellow veterans as one step toward reducing veteran suicides.
“The American Legion has been stalwart in…
