22IGY6

It started in the late 80's. I was on my first Marine Corps deployment. Excitement, anxiety, loneliness, fear all at once. I received a small pocket cross in the mail from someone back home that I didn't know. She was an elderly woman that I will never forget. She wrote me a letter asking if we could be pen pals and she asked if I would carry the cross in my pocket everyday for protection and also as a reminder that GOD is always with me and that someone back home was thinking of me and praying for me. I was amazed and elated that a complete stranger would take her time for ME. That was the beginning of a great long friendship. After I separated from active duty I began to have some challenges with adapting to the "civilian" life and my friend that I met years ago through an unsolicited pen pal request was no longer there for me. I carried that cross everyday until I gave it to my daughter. I wanted to let my Brothers and Sisters know (Military and Non-Military) that if they needed me, I would always have their back. I made my own cross to carry and I etched my logo into as a reminder of the oath I swore to all my fellow Americans. I continue to carry this cross with me as that reminder but also as a reminder of the sweet stranger that changed my heart forever. GOD is good and there is always someone out there you can turn to when in need. I am one of them someone's.

Pause. Take a deep breath

Statistical average of how many Veterans commit suicide each day. Today I am sure that number is much higher

I got your back (6)

National Veterans Resources https://nationalveteranresources.com/