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Over the two decades U.S. troops have served in Afghanistan, more than 2,448 Americans were killed and more than 20,000 wounded in action. Many others suffered the invisible wounds of war.
In the aftermath of the fall of Kabul and the ongoing evacuation of refugees from the country, senior military leaders are acknowledging the personal nature of the war and asking service members and veterans to seek help and talk to others about their experiences if they begin to feel overwhelmed.
“To each of you, I want you to know personally, that your service mattered,” said Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have each commanded troops in Afghanistan. Both said the war was personal.
The two most senior military leaders have helped lead the call for service members and veterans to check in on their battle buddies.
Other officials have sought to remind the military that resources are available 24/7.
In a letter to the force, Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, the National Guard Bureau chief, echoed other military leaders.
“For nearly 20 years, we have served and sacrificed in Afghanistan. As the combat reserve of the Army and Air Force, our presence was significant,” Hokanson wrote. “Answering our nation’s call, we left behind families, civilian jobs, and communities. We performed and served with honor, and never lost sight of our duty as citizen-soldiers and airmen. For all who served or supported us in Afghanistan — we thank you.”
“This may be a difficult time for those who served, and those who supported their loved ones in Afghanistan,” he added. “It often helps to talk to battle buddies and wingmen, and now is the time to look out for each other. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and be there for each other. And if you need help and don’t know where to turn, please reach out to a unit chaplain or contact Military One Source at 800-342-9647.”
Gen. James C. McConville, the Army chief of staff, made similar remarks. He said sacrifices in Afghanistan will be a lasting legacy of honor and commitment for all to remember.
“As we all reflect on the events of this past week in Afghanistan, I want you to know how much I appreciate your service and your sacrifice and I could not be more proud of what you have accomplished,” McConville said earlier this month. “We have soldiers presently supporting combatant commanders around the world and I know that you will continue to serve with honor and valor when called upon.”
State leaders have also issued letters to their troops. In Utah, Maj. Gen. Michael Turley urged Guardsmen in his state to reach out to their fellow soldiers and airmen; to engage in positive activities that are healthy, meaningful and of service; to limit media exposure that triggers distress; to avoid ineffective coping methods such as excessive alcohol use; and to use available resources for veterans for additional support.
“If you are like us, you may be going through a roller coaster of emotions as you have watched the news reports over the past few days coming from Afghanistan,” Turley wrote. “Whether you served in Afghanistan once, multiple times, in other countries, or any time post-9/11, the current situation may be greatly affecting you, and we share in your difficulty to process and reconcile our emotions over what we are witnessing. Just like we were there for each other during the past 20 years, we must be there for each other now.”
