While the scenes out of Afghanistan are horrifying as US Troops are withdrawing from the war-torn country after providing stability for more than two decades, the situation is extremely upsetting to US Afghanistan vets. Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Colonel Joey Strickland says they’ve been contacted by several veterans who served in the Middle East.
“A lot of them are wondering whether their service counted for anything and we’re telling them that it did count because for 20 years we haven’t had to worry about terrorist attacks n this country,” said Strickland.
Strickland says the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs has several venues to offer counseling and assistance for veterans who are experiencing PTSD and other issues. Especially during this critical time when some veterans feel the withdrawal has discounted their service. Strickland says they’ve been meeting with veterans at places like the VFW.
“We have the Baton Rouge veteran’s center, there’s a large number of highly trained counselors over there, that meet with veterans all the time,” said Strickland.
Strickland says this issue hit close to home, it reminds him of his experience in Vietnam and now his son who served in Afghanistan, so he’s familiar with the emotions veterans are dealing with in response to the withdrawal. Strickland says the LDVA also has a crisis line.
“We’re doing everything that we can to make sure there’s a voice on the other end of the line and that we understand the anxiety and the anger and the wondering that they are experiencing,” said Strickland.
For more information visit the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs website or call the Veteran’s Crisis line at 1-800-273-8255
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