Saluting A Soldier

Dear purple butterflies, 

No one I’ve ever met has ever liked the idea of war. There are unfortunate situations between countries, or even within their own country, when a war does break out. When this does happen, I’ve always had the greatest respect for those heroes willing to lay their life down for their country. Men and women serve to protect our liberties and way of life. Imagine yourself as a soldier, finally coming home to your family, only to find out during a physical that you have Fibromyalgia and possibly more? When you stop to think about it, the extreme workouts, exhausting training, the heavy equipment hauling, plus the stress and depression of war it’s no wonder their bodies fight back. Two years ago I was blessed with the second chance to give thanks to a vet. We were both standing in line waiting for our coffee at a Starbucks. I’m stubborn by default, quiet and shy to strangers at times. However, I knew this was not the time to be either. I made sure I stuck out my hand and told her I appreciated her and what she was doing. You’d think that more people would thank them as well. Each time I’ve done so, the soldiers have acted like it’s the first time they’ve heard it. Maybe it is? 
 
November 11th is Veterans Day in The U.S.A. Below are some facts about the holiday. You'll also find information about a vets  struggle with  chronic pain:

• Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day.

 

• It marks the anniversary of the end of World War I.

 

• It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. 

 

• Veteran's who served in the Gulf War (1991) “are more likely to have chronic fatigue syndrome and Fibromyalgia."

 

• Joint and back pain along with other musculoskeletal ailments are the usual diagnoses among Iraq and Afghanistan Vets.

 

• Chronic pain is more commonly found within the Veteran population than in a widespread population. 

 

• “VA's National Pain Management Strategy provides a system-wide standard of care to reduce suffering from preventable pain.”

 
If you live in the U.S., does your family do anything special for Veterans Day? Let me know in the comments down below if you do! If I have left anything out, or you would like to share a story of a loved who served in the military, feel free to do so!! As always, please continue to stay safe purple butterflies! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends!
 
Till next time! Be well!
 
~ Rachel

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References: 
https://www.research.va.gov/topics/pain.cfm
 
https://source.wustl.edu/2005/06/veterans-of-first-gulf-war-have-more-chronic-fatigue-fibromyalgia/