BEDFORD, Mass. (Nov. 12, 2014) -- The Natick Soldier Systems Center senior commander spoke to veterans, family members and staff at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital on Nov. 11 during a Veterans Day interfaith service.
Brig. Gen. William E. Cole, whose mother once worked as a nurse at the hospital, thanked the veterans in attendance, many of whom sat in wheelchairs during the service.
"Veterans deserve our appreciation for their service to our country," Cole said. "They swore to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And they sacrificed through their service. It is our collective duty to help veterans in need stand on their feet and make a difference again."
Cole reminded the audience that the nation was emerging from the longest continuous period of war in its history.
"As the veterans among you know, being deployed in a combat zone is stressful, but it can also be fulfilling in many ways," Cole said. "You have a sense of being part of something big and historic in an effort to uphold freedom and make the world a better place."
Many veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have returned home with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries, Cole said.
"Many have suffered in silence, and right now we have an epidemic of suicide in our country of veterans," Cole said. "You can help. Suicide is preventable. So reach out to fellow veterans you think might be troubled."
According to Cole, the suicide crisis makes VA caregivers even more important.
"The doctors and nurses will be on the front lines of taking care of this generation of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who are coming home," he said. "The National Guardsmen and Reservists who have served will also need your top-notch care to help them transition back to a normal civilian life."
The general added that many are returning from the stress of war and reintegrated into society in effective and productive ways.
"These young men and women have a lot to offer to our country," said Cole. "Combat deployments are tough, but our veterans are also much stronger because of their hard-won experiences in the deserts of Iraq, the mountains of Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world. They are leaders who take responsibility and initiative, who think independently and who inspire others. They are trained to operate some of the world's most sophisticated technical equipment. Above all, they love the country that they've served so well in uniform, and they are already giving back to their communities here at home.
"The veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq have talents beyond their military occupational skills, the general continued. "Many of these veterans have served as de facto mayors of villages and towns as we helped the Iraqis and Afghanis rebuild their nations. They have led teams into complex situations and have been empowered to be remarkably effective leaders at a very young age. As they are return home, they can now utilize those leadership skills in American business and government."
Yet some still slip through the cracks, said Cole, pointing out that 20 percent of the homeless in Massachusetts are veterans.
"Our workforce at my base, the Natick Soldier Systems Center … has a great volunteer program," said Cole, "and this year they collected nearly a ton of clothing and personal hygiene items for homeless veterans, which was more than double what they collected last year."
Cole told the audience that today's young veterans return with leadership skills that can be applied to better their communities.
"By pursuing the dream of giving their children a better life, our nation's veterans will help shape the future of our country," Cole said. "They will be doctors and lawyers, teachers, mayors and nurses, governors, representatives and senators. Perhaps a veteran from our wars in Iraq or Afghanistan will be president one day."
Cole urged attendees to seek out ways to recognize veterans.
"In some small way, today but every day, find a way to thank a veteran," Cole said. "Nothing means more to them than knowing that their service and sacrifice overseas is appreciated right here at home."
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