"This is my husband's Veterans Day shirt. He wears it once a year."
"It is a list of the men in his battalion who did not make it home.
This shirt reminds me of the sacrifices men and women in our country make, some times for the benefit of few, most often for the benefit of many.
Towards the bottom of this shirt there are men who lost their lives after war.
This is a reminder that for a combat veteran, the fight doesn't end when the war does.
They must come home and continue an unseen fight. For many, this is the most difficult aspect of their service. And this is why many end up isolated from friends and family, or even homeless...
We must remember those veterans today.
And remember that they need our help all year long.
There is no better way to appreciate them than to give back."
--Lauren Kong, wife of Veteran Jin Kong*
*Jin Kong served in the 'Deuce Four' battalion (24 Battalion--scroll down to find "OIF: Operation Iraqi Freedom") from 2002-2006. He was in Mosul, Iraq from 2004-2005, and fought in the Battle of Mosul. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, JIN!
Yesterday was full of reminders of our Veterans: beautiful tributes to their service, social media posts about their sacrifice, ceremonies to honor the fighting and the fallen. This is right and good and honorable.
But just as there is a morning after Veterans Day, when most of the country goes on with little thought to those who give their lives for our freedom, there is the morning after our soldiers come home, when most citizens go on with little thought for our soldiers' continued-- often unseen--struggle.
While the world goes on around them, but they are never the same.
Jin's shirt reminds us all that the fight doesn't end with the war.
This morning and every morning, I hope you will join me in supporting the following organizations, recommended by Jin and Lauren Kong:
Connect with Reba Riley on Facebook Twitter Goodreads
More about
(Available in hardback, e-book and audio formats. Paperback coming 3/15/16.)
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.