Editor’s Note: Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” It is always refreshing to see our community come together to remember those who serve our country, but also those who never returned home.
I will also appreciate Michelle Mastin Wesnofske for her efforts to help us remember our Sewart Air Force Veterans by naming a mile long portion of Sam Ridley Parkway as Sewart Air Force Base Highway. Many of those who attended the historic event have passed on. Many thanks to WTVF News 5 for covering the event.
Article originally posted on WTVF.com
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8422 dedicates plaque and military vehicle memorial while emphasizing need for mental health support as veteran suicide rates remain high
SMYRNA, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Smyrna has become a lifeline for veterans struggling with mental health issues, offering community support and resources to those who served in conflicts from Vietnam to the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Michelle Mastin Wesnofske, president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8422 Auxiliary in Smyrna, understands the challenges veterans face when returning home. Her father served in Vietnam, and she witnessed firsthand how a community of veterans could provide crucial support.
“This post, this chapter became a haven for him because a lot of people were fighting the same demons,” Wesnofske said.
Her two sons later served in the U.S. war on terrorism and in Iraq, deepening her connection to the veteran community. As auxiliary president, she recently dedicated a plaque and a military HMMV vehicle at the post.”My son drove one in Iraq,” she said of the military vehicle.
(This article is sponsored by Cantrell’s Concrete)
Wesnofske emphasized that while much attention focuses on Vietnam and Korean War veterans, newer generations of service members also need support.
“We talk a lot about the veterans of Vietnam and Korea. It’s time to talk about these guys too,” she said.
The memorial demonstrates that veterans who fought in the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan have a community ready to embrace them. The post serves as more than just a gathering place, it’s a resource center for veterans in crisis.
“We are not psychologists here, but we can get you in touch with one,” Wesnofske said. “Our rate of suicide is entirely too high.”
Your experience could help other veterans find the support they need.
In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.
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