Beyond the Bumper Sticker: How to Truly Support Our Troops and Veterans
Beyond the Bumper Sticker: How to Truly Support Our Troops and Veterans
Church of Deets
Beyond the Bumper Sticker:
How to Truly Support Our Troops and Veterans
"Support our troops." These words are often seen on bumper stickers, yard signs, and political advertisements. They echo through parades, sporting events, and solemn remembrances. Yet, as ubiquitous as the phrase may be, its meaning is frequently reduced to symbolic gestures. But what does it truly mean to support our troops, and how can we honor that commitment in a way that goes beyond mere words?
In this sermon, we will explore what it means to genuinely support our troops and veterans in the 21st century. We will examine how our moral and spiritual responsibilities call us to advocate for systemic changes in how we care for those who serve. True support is not a passive act of symbolic allegiance but a proactive pursuit of justice, healing, and respect for the dignity of all those who have donned the uniform.
Honoring the Sacrifice Beyond Symbolism
Supporting the troops means acknowledging the immense physical, emotional, and psychological sacrifices that service members and their families endure. While honoring these sacrifices through public ceremonies, displays of the flag, or national holidays is significant, it is not enough. These actions must be the starting point, not the conclusion, of our support.
True honor requires us to consider what veterans need most after their service: comprehensive healthcare, mental health services, housing security, job opportunities, and social reintegration. In many ways, society has failed to deliver on these promises, and by ignoring these ongoing needs, we dishonor the very people we claim to support.
The Apostle James reminds us, “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well-fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16). Likewise, we must not offer empty platitudes of support but instead act to meet the real needs of our veterans.
Mental Health and PTSD: The Invisible Wounds
One of the most pressing issues for veterans today is the silent epidemic of mental health challenges, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Studies show that between 11% to 20% of veterans who served in operations like Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD. These invisible wounds often lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and tragically, suicide. Veterans, especially younger ones, have disproportionately higher suicide rates compared to the general population. The military teaches soldiers to be strong and resilient, but it often does not adequately prepare them to face the psychological aftereffects of combat.
If we are to support our troops, we must commit to providing comprehensive mental health care. This means removing the stigma around seeking help, investing in counseling and treatment programs, and ensuring access to affordable, long-term care. Just as the military invests billions in training and equipping soldiers for battle, we must be equally prepared to invest in their healing.
The Bible teaches us to care for the brokenhearted. Psalm 147:3 says, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." As followers of Christ, we are called to participate in this healing, creating spaces where veterans feel supported, understood, and valued. This is more than just being sympathetic; it’s an active engagement to ensure they are not left to navigate the often-overwhelming terrain of mental health care alone.
Economic Justice for Veterans: Jobs and Housing
While many veterans successfully transition to civilian life, too many face significant challenges, including unemployment, underemployment, and homelessness. Despite their skills and experiences, veterans often struggle to find jobs that match their qualifications. Furthermore, veteran homelessness remains a persistent issue in the United States, with tens of thousands experiencing homelessness on any given night.
Supporting our troops must mean ensuring that every veteran has access to stable housing and economic opportunities. The systemic injustices that affect the wider population, such as income inequality, discrimination, and lack of affordable housing, also impact veterans, sometimes even more acutely. It is unacceptable that someone who has served their country could return home only to face economic instability.
In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus speaks of caring for “the least of these,” identifying acts of service like feeding the hungry and providing shelter as reflections of our care for Him. How can we claim to be supporting our troops if we allow any veteran to sleep on the streets? We must advocate for robust housing assistance programs, job placement services, and economic support for veterans. Governments, businesses, and communities should prioritize the employment and housing needs of veterans not just as a moral imperative but as a reflection of gratitude for their service.
Moral Injury and Spiritual Support
Another facet of veterans’ struggles is what theologians and psychologists call “moral injury.” This term refers to the psychological and spiritual harm that occurs when a person’s sense of morality is violated by their experiences in war. Veterans may struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, or betrayal—especially if they feel complicit in acts that go against their moral beliefs or if they believe they were abandoned by the systems that sent them to fight.
The church can play a critical role in addressing moral injury by providing spiritual care and community support. Veterans need spaces where they can process these deep spiritual wounds without fear of judgment. Churches must become places of refuge where veterans can share their experiences, find spiritual healing, and rediscover a sense of purpose and belonging.
In John 15:13, Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Many veterans have lived this principle, not only risking their lives but enduring the moral and emotional consequences of war. It is our responsibility to help them find healing for the soul as well as the body. Pastoral counseling, prayer, and compassionate listening can offer veterans the spiritual resources they need to reconcile their experiences and move forward.
The Military-Industrial Complex: Counting the Cost
To truly support our troops, we must also be willing to confront uncomfortable truths about the systems that perpetuate endless wars. The military-industrial complex—the relationship between the military, the government, and private defense contractors—often benefits financially from prolonged conflicts, while ordinary soldiers and their families bear the physical and emotional toll.
This system raises important moral questions about how we as a society value human life. Are we too quick to send troops into harm’s way for political or economic gain? Do we care more about maintaining military dominance than we do about the well-being of the men and women in uniform? Supporting our troops means advocating for responsible, ethical decision-making about when and why we go to war. It also means supporting policies that prioritize diplomacy, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding over military intervention.
In Luke 14:31-32, Jesus speaks of a king going to war who must first sit down and consider whether he can win with his army. The implication is clear: before engaging in conflict, we must count the cost. That cost is not just in dollars or military hardware; it’s in the lives and well-being of our soldiers. We must demand that our leaders exercise caution and humility when making decisions about war and peace.
Caring for Military Families
To support our troops, we must also care for military families. Spouses, children, and extended family members often sacrifice alongside their loved ones who serve. They endure long deployments, constant worry, and the emotional strain of living with someone who may come back changed by their experiences. Too often, the focus is solely on the service member, while their families are left without the resources and support they need.
Churches and communities should actively reach out to military families, offering practical support, such as childcare, counseling services, and community engagement. Additionally, we must advocate for better policies that provide financial stability, mental health resources, and educational opportunities for military families. Just as we care for the veteran, we must also care for those who love and support them.
A Call to Action: Redefining Patriotism
The Bible calls us not just to proclaim love but to act on it. In 1 John 3:18, we are reminded, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Supporting our troops means more than waving flags or saying thank you for their service. It means taking meaningful action to ensure that veterans and their families receive the support they need for a lifetime, not just when they are in uniform.
This is a call to reimagine what patriotism looks like in the 21st century. True patriotism isn’t about blind loyalty to symbols or institutions but about a commitment to the people who serve our country. It’s about demanding justice for veterans, pushing for policies that prioritize their well-being, and addressing the root causes of military conflict.
In practical terms, this means voting for politicians who advocate for veteran care, volunteering with organizations that support veterans, and challenging the systems that allow veterans to fall through the cracks. It means recognizing that our responsibility to veterans extends beyond Veterans Day and into every day of the year.
A Covenant of Care
To genuinely "support our troops," we must move beyond surface-level expressions of gratitude. Our support must be rooted in a deep and abiding commitment to justice, healing, and care for all who serve. It means addressing the physical, emotional, spiritual, and economic needs of veterans and their families. It means challenging systems that exploit their sacrifice for profit or political gain.
As a society and as a faith community, we are called to create a covenant of care for our troops—one that ensures their well-being not only during their time of service but for the rest of their lives. Let us embody the love of Christ by standing with veterans and their families, not just in words, but in action.
For when we do this, we honor the true meaning of service, sacrifice, and support. We fulfill the mandate to care for the least of these and to live out the Gospel call to love one another as Christ has loved us. In supporting our troops and veterans through action, advocacy, and compassion, we reflect the heart of God, who calls us to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper.
Building a Holistic Support System
One of the most critical aspects of supporting veterans in the 21st century is the establishment of a holistic support system that addresses the interconnected needs of physical health, mental well-being, family stability, and economic security. As individuals and as a society, we must commit to creating a network of services that ensures no veteran is left behind.
1. Healthcare for All Veterans
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides healthcare to millions of veterans, but many fall through the cracks due to eligibility issues, underfunding, and bureaucratic hurdles. Many veterans, especially those with less than honorable discharges, are denied access to critical care. If we are to truly support our troops, then healthcare should be a guaranteed right for all veterans, regardless of their discharge status or the nature of their service.
Healthcare must also be comprehensive. This means addressing not just the physical wounds of war, but the psychological and emotional scars as well. Veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), PTSD, and other long-term conditions should not have to fight for access to the care they need. We must advocate for expanded funding, better access to care, and a healthcare system that treats veterans with dignity and respect.
2. Job Training and Reintegration Programs
Economic security is a cornerstone of veteran reintegration. As veterans return to civilian life, they often face challenges finding employment that aligns with their skills, training, and experiences. Many veterans find that their military qualifications do not translate easily into civilian certifications, leaving them underemployed or unemployed.
We must advocate for policies and programs that make it easier for veterans to transition into meaningful careers. This includes job training and certification programs tailored to veterans, as well as partnerships between businesses and veteran organizations to provide employment opportunities. Support for entrepreneurship and small business ownership among veterans is another way we can help them build stable, fulfilling careers after their service.
3. Supporting Female Veterans
Female veterans often face unique challenges that are frequently overlooked in public discourse. From higher rates of sexual assault during service to difficulties accessing healthcare services that understand their specific needs, women veterans are too often left out of the conversation.
Supporting our troops must include recognizing and addressing the experiences of female veterans. This means ensuring that they have access to trauma-informed healthcare, safe housing, and community networks that understand the complexities of their service. We must also confront the cultural biases that often dismiss or devalue the contributions of women in the military.
Veteran Advocacy and Justice
True support for our troops also means being their advocates in the political and legal arenas. Veterans often face legal challenges, from navigating the bureaucratic complexities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fighting for disability benefits and pension rights. The long and arduous appeals process for VA benefits can leave veterans waiting for years to receive the support they deserve.
As a society, we must advocate for reforms that streamline and simplify the VA claims process, reduce wait times, and provide veterans with the legal support they need to navigate the system. Legal clinics, pro bono services, and veteran-focused legal advocacy groups should be prioritized and funded to ensure that no veteran faces these battles alone.
In addition, supporting veterans means ensuring that they are treated fairly within the criminal justice system. Studies show that veterans are overrepresented in the prison population, often due to unaddressed mental health issues or substance abuse disorders. Veterans courts, which provide alternatives to incarceration and focus on rehabilitation, are one model of how we can approach veteran justice with compassion and fairness. Expanding these programs and ensuring that veterans receive the support they need rather than punitive measures is a crucial part of our commitment to justice.
Community Involvement: Every Citizen’s Responsibility
It is important to remember that the responsibility of supporting our troops does not rest solely on the shoulders of the government or veterans' organizations. Every citizen has a role to play in this mission. Whether through volunteering with veterans’ organizations, offering mentorship, or simply reaching out to veterans in our communities, we all have a part in building a society that honors the sacrifices of those who serve.
Churches, civic groups, and nonprofit organizations are particularly well-positioned to create support networks for veterans. These can include peer-to-peer mentorship programs, counseling services, and practical support like helping veterans with job applications, housing searches, or financial management.
Supporting veterans is also about building relationships. Many veterans experience isolation and loneliness after their service, especially if they are dealing with PTSD or other mental health challenges. Being a friend, a neighbor, or a listening ear can make all the difference. We are reminded in Galatians 6:2 to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” By bearing the burdens of our veterans, we not only support them but live out our faith in action.
Reforming Military Culture: A Moral Imperative
Finally, supporting our troops must also involve examining and reforming military culture itself. While the military prides itself on values like honor, duty, and loyalty, it must also confront issues such as toxic masculinity, racism, and the treatment of women and minorities within its ranks.
Support for our troops includes advocating for a military culture that upholds the dignity of every service member. This means addressing issues of sexual harassment and assault, ensuring that minorities and women have equal opportunities for advancement, and creating an environment where mental health care is prioritized and destigmatized. Reforming military culture is not about weakening the military; rather, it’s about strengthening it by fostering an environment that is just, inclusive, and supportive of all who serve.
Looking to the Future: A New Era of Support
As we move further into the 21st century, our understanding of what it means to support the troops must evolve. The challenges that veterans face are complex and multifaceted, and they require holistic solutions that address the entire spectrum of human needs—physical, emotional, psychological, economic, and spiritual.
In supporting our troops, we are not simply paying back a debt; we are affirming the inherent worth and dignity of every person who serves. Our actions toward veterans should be driven not by a sense of obligation, but by a genuine desire to see justice done, healing realized, and lives restored.
As the body of Christ, we are called to be agents of this justice, healing, and restoration. Let us commit ourselves anew to truly supporting our troops—not just with words, but with our hearts, hands, and voices raised in advocacy. By doing so, we reflect the love of Christ and contribute to building a world where every veteran is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Let this be our prayer and our call to action: that we may be a nation and a people who honor our veterans not only in word but in deed, striving always for a future where their sacrifices are met with compassion, justice, and lasting peace.
Amen.
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