COMMENTARY | After 10 years of grueling warfare in Iraq, the soldiers are finally on their way home. The troops retreat marks a welcome end to this decade long war. For years, U.S. troops fought our fight through rough circumstances; after nearly 4,500 American soldiers died, it's encouraging that our fight, at least in Iraq, is over.
Both lives and money were sacrificed throughout the war. In 2006, America had 239,000 troops stationed in more than 500 bases throughout Iraq; through military personnel, machinery, contracts and more, this war cost the United States more than $800 billion. Just because the war is over and the troops are heading home, doesn't mean this is over for Americans; are we, citizens of the United States, prepared to help and guide those coming home?
According to CNN, "Capt. Mark Askew, 28, said he was worried about the well-being of his soldiers, many of whom have done multiple tours of Iraq and felt the stress and sting of war."
Americans are ready for the challenge, and will show the veterans how much we appreciate what they did and continue to do. The Coming Home Project is a wonderful organization, founded in 2006, devoted to helping veterans of the Iraq war reintegrate into an everyday routine. They offer retreats, counseling, job and life training as well as provide education and consultations about their future. Allowing veterans to be vulnerable with a community of support is critically important to welcoming them home.
One of the most important tools we can provide Iraq veterans is counseling to deal with the stress they lived with daily and any post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Education and job training to get them back to work here at home faster is also important.
Another amazing organization devoted to helping Iraq veterans is the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). This group helps with the transition back home for both the troops and their families. IAVA even provides vets with a separate social network that connects veterans and creates a support system for those coming home, they help answer questions and sometimes just listen because they can relate.
The IAVA helped veterans beyond their requirements to advocate for the VOW to Hire Heroes Act. Surveys showed that the unemployment rate for veterans, at 11.5 percent, was noticeably more than the national average. With thousands of veterans coming home, there needs to be jobs available to them as well.
Bottom line: There are dozens of ways that we can help make the transition home for veterans much smoother. These men and women fought on the front lines for us, and now it's time for us to fight for them. Now that the Iraq war has finally come to an end, it's a good time to evaluate all that we do and could do for veterans, as thousands more are on their way home.
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