I am taking a pass on trivial issues and PP commentary today.
The United States Semiquincentennial 
But, I do have some "personal" and cautionary thoughts to share about today as Memorial Day, and (in particular) this next year's 2026 4th of July 13 month run up, so, I am putting on my Chaplain's hat, getting out my soapbox, and posting this:
America250 events are planned throughout the entire 2025 year, officially launching on Memorial Day, 2025 (today), and continuing through to July 4, 2026.
I was raised in a overly patriotic area, of blue and gold stars in the windows, old glory everywhere, and I thought that all of America had, and attended, a Memorial Day parade, went to an honor ceremony of some sort at a grave yard, or at the horse and general statue, had sombre moments of silence, and attended... or at least listened to, the Indy 500.
The fourth of July was one of those misguided "stolen" holidays (like Easter and Christmas) where picnics and "fireworks" dominated the day, and the true meaning/intent was overwhelmed and mostly lost, but again, there was still the parade, the general on his horse statue, and the flags.
On Veterans Day, I grew up with 75 year-olds dressing up in their military uniforms, and going to war reenactments, parades (again), and listening to the old timers stories at all of these events... also, there was much ado about "Pearl Harbor Day", "VE Day", "Armistice Day", and of course, the "Battle of Lake Erie Day"... and now, our "911 Patriot Day".
After my military time, in addition to promoting all the parades and ceremonies, and joining the American Legion, VFW, Band of Brothers, POW/MIA, VV of A, and spending time in large VA hospitals, I even created a website and a podcast dedicated to those who have served.
The increase of up to close to a 50 % PTSD rate of our younger veterans, too many Gold Star families attending, and the emotion of pulling stuff out of my brain's memory locker and reliving it, simply became too much to bear at grave sites, or fraternal ceremonials, and especially at VA hospital lobby veterans assemblies.
Today there are about 16 million Veterans in the USA (that's 6% of the population), Oregon has a 8-10% veteran population, 3/4 of that number are "regular" and National Guard veterans, the VA estimates that there are 4 1/2 million living Combat veterans, ad, about 49% of our 21st Century enlisted veterans have Combat experience, compared to 30% of the pre-9/11 'Nam Combat veterans.
Life-long PTSD is higher among veterans who use VA healthcare (23%) compared to those who don't (7%), Combat veterans seem to have a 12-20 % PTSD affliction rate across the board... I heavily caution ... these numbers are for "diagnosed PTSD" on veterans who admit to their condition, and try to seek help.. stigma, embarrassment, fear of social judgment, the ease of finding other solutions (drugs. alcohol, suicide) and difficulty accessing services leaves a very large number going "un-diagnosed".
As the past few years increased in military online news exposures, so did the veteran suicide rate, especially for our younger 21st-century vets:
- In 2022, there were 6,407 veteran suicides in the United States.
- The overall rate of suicide among veterans was 34.7 per 100,000, which is significantly higher than the rate for nonveterans (17.1 per 100,000).
- Per 100,000 rates by age: Aged 18-34: 47.6 , Aged 55-74: 31.2 , Aged 35-54: 35.5 , Aged 75 and older: 33.8
- The average number of veteran suicides per day in 2022 was 17.6.
- Over 140,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001 alone, making the 18-to 34-year-olds the most susceptible.
- After establishing the COVID vaccine damaged, PTSD remains the #one impetus for suicide, sparked by deeply hidden fears, lack of self-unacceptance, and relived (triggered recall) experiences of combat, rejection of value status by family, mates, community, and government.
- 2024 numbers were not documented, only estimated, so, were not used here.
This year, there promises to be an unusually large amount of voluminous media exposure for this America250 (2026) hype, and the year-long expansion of the talk, recall, thinking, dwelling, visuals, and sounds awarenesses that typically sets off a PTSD spiked event, this year, that combo of stimuli will be far more intense and far longer in duration than ever before...as we dial up for the 2026 fourth.
I simply am cautioning everyone to be extra aware of their normal everyday person, or family member, who may have difficulty handling this next 13 months, there will be an extra-ordinary long term overload of trigger stimuli out there this year, many who have never had a problem... "will", this year.
Sounds are second to visuals for triggering recall, I could write volumes of information here, but it simply needs to be realized, that like your pets, veterans are hyperized by many things, medications get skipped, over indulgences of all types happen, deep thinking happens, and this excessive media input may create problems, as this year-long event planning evolves.
Having strong social support and patience from family, friends, other Veterans, and the community is key to identifying veterans with the problem, allowing them to admit to having PTSD, and assisting them in going public, and getting help, the symptoms and signs are quiet, hidden, and sometimes unknown until they surface.
Not that you needed to have any of that on your plate from this weekly blog for your Memorial Day reading... back to the PP scuttlebutt next week.
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