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Allen Jackson NOW | Allen Jackson: January 9, 2025 | Allen Jackson Now | January 9, 2025
- Well.
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- Good evening, i'm alan jackson, and welcome to nashville.
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- January the 1st was going to be a day
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- When i spoke of all the reasons for hope in the new year
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- That i woke up to new orleans and the reports
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- Of a terrorist attack on our soil again,
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- That was followed up
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- With the suicide and explosives in las vegas.
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- And if the events themselves weren't enough,
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- I was extraordinarily frustrated.
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- That is, the reporting began.
- 00:00:27.285 --> 00:00:29.020
- The fbi was reluctant to acknowledge
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- The terrorist connections to what was happening,
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- And it seemed to me
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- All too willing to acknowledge
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- That our veterans had been involved.
- 00:00:36.428 --> 00:00:39.364
- Well, it's not well known that when veterans
- 00:00:39.364 --> 00:00:41.299
- Mentioned the number 22,
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- They're referring to the daily number of suicides.
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- Tonight is not about rationalizing
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- What happened in new orleans, in las vegas, killing others.
- 00:00:48.974 --> 00:00:52.511
- It's inexcusable.
- 00:00:52.511 --> 00:00:54.412
- Understanding the suicide numbers.
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- We've got to find a solution for that.
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- So joining us tonight is the former
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- White house adviser and former military man paul shabo.
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- Welcome back to our show.
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- Great to be with you, pastor.
- 00:01:07.092 --> 00:01:08.293
- And thank you for taking on this very important topic.
- 00:01:08.293 --> 00:01:11.429
- But we need your help on this one.
- 00:01:12.164 --> 00:01:14.232
- When you heard about the tragedies
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- In new orleans and las vegas and further heard that
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- Both of these men were former military.
- 00:01:18.670 --> 00:01:20.672
- What went through your mind?
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- Yeah, as i learn more about those cases, first,
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- As a veteran,
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- You hear about another veteran taking the lives of others.
- 00:01:26.111 --> 00:01:28.213
- You get disgusted. you wonder what happened.
- 00:01:28.213 --> 00:01:30.782
- And that's primarily what the new orleans
- 00:01:30.782 --> 00:01:33.251
- Terror suspect took lives.
- 00:01:33.251 --> 00:01:35.420
- That's a shame of his military background
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- And what he had done carrying the isis flag.
- 00:01:37.689 --> 00:01:40.192
- But then you look at the other veteran in vegas,
- 00:01:40.192 --> 00:01:42.460
- A much different case.
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- Active duty green beret, multiple awards,
- 00:01:44.162 --> 00:01:48.500
- Five, bronze medals won, v for valor.
- 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:52.437
- I didn't take anybody else's life, did injure others.
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- And you look at the mental health
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- Implications behind him and his history.
- 00:01:56.575 --> 00:01:59.578
- And you can replicate that
- 00:01:59.578 --> 00:02:00.745
- Pastor across the board, across so many veterans
- 00:02:00.745 --> 00:02:03.915
- That are tipping on that line to potentially
- 00:02:03.915 --> 00:02:06.484
- Taking their life today.
- 00:02:06.484 --> 00:02:11.122
- What happens to someone who served?
- 00:02:11.856 --> 00:02:13.858
- And they come home and they seem to fit back in,
- 00:02:13.858 --> 00:02:16.828
- But then it seems like they crack.
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- They join the enemy. isis.
- 00:02:18.430 --> 00:02:19.831
- They carry out a plan to murder as many civilians as possible.
- 00:02:19.831 --> 00:02:23.201
- Can you help us understand that?
- 00:02:23.201 --> 00:02:25.303
- I think there's always going to be
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- That that negative percentage that joins
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- Any organization, from law enforcement
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- To the military against disgraceful.
- 00:02:30.675 --> 00:02:33.044
- We've seen it happen a number of times
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- In our u.s. military
- 00:02:34.679 --> 00:02:35.847
- With veterans doing horrific acts to our own citizens.
- 00:02:35.847 --> 00:02:38.950
- But then there are others, too.
- 00:02:38.950 --> 00:02:40.218
- We have this other segment, a large segment of veterans here.
- 00:02:40.218 --> 00:02:42.754
- We lose about 22 a day, close to 8000 a year.
- 00:02:42.754 --> 00:02:46.558
- And having looked at this for a number of years now,
- 00:02:46.558 --> 00:02:49.027
- I think
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- Part of what's happening here
- 00:02:49.828 --> 00:02:51.062
- Is certainly our va system is failing.
- 00:02:51.062 --> 00:02:53.331
- We deal with mental health, but also we send
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- Our veterans overseas to literally fight evil.
- 00:02:56.668 --> 00:03:00.538
- And then we bring them home and literally evil
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- Surrounds them to help take their lives.
- 00:03:03.541 --> 00:03:05.777
- And i think that is where we are failing as a society
- 00:03:05.777 --> 00:03:09.180
- Right now.
- 00:03:09.180 --> 00:03:09.648
- The v.a.
- 00:03:09.648 --> 00:03:10.849
- Is not doing very well, but veterans are our unique breed.
- 00:03:10.849 --> 00:03:13.785
- We don't like to ask for help.
- 00:03:13.785 --> 00:03:15.186
- It's very difficult to ask for help,
- 00:03:15.186 --> 00:03:17.122
- But also critically important
- 00:03:17.122 --> 00:03:18.723
- Is that veterans want to be with other veterans for help.
- 00:03:18.723 --> 00:03:22.494
- Pastor, one thing i think that
- 00:03:22.494 --> 00:03:24.396
- Can help our nation right now is to encourage churches
- 00:03:24.396 --> 00:03:28.033
- To create more veteran life groups for veterans by veterans.
- 00:03:28.033 --> 00:03:32.604
- Joining veterans weekly,
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- I've been a member of ptsd groups, other groups,
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- And it's phenomenal what we are together united
- 00:03:37.976 --> 00:03:41.646
- Because when we leave military service,
- 00:03:41.646 --> 00:03:43.448
- We come back into civilian life,
- 00:03:43.448 --> 00:03:45.283
- And it's very difficult
- 00:03:45.283 --> 00:03:46.518
- For civilians to understand what the men and women of military
- 00:03:46.518 --> 00:03:50.455
- Have been through.
- 00:03:50.455 --> 00:03:51.523
- So right
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- There is a very strong transition
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- And almost a call to arms for our churches today
- 00:03:54.092 --> 00:03:56.795
- To get engaged with your veteran population
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- Advocate for veteran groups in your churches that i think
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- Will make critical headway going.
- 00:04:03.501 --> 00:04:06.771
- No, i like your suggestion.
- 00:04:07.372 --> 00:04:08.873
- It's something we can do and not just wait for washington.
- 00:04:08.873 --> 00:04:11.743
- We've had a variety of groups similar
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- To what you're describing here in our own congregation,
- 00:04:13.978 --> 00:04:15.980
- And have seen the benefits of those over many years.
- 00:04:15.980 --> 00:04:19.551
- Why is it that 22 suicides
- 00:04:19.551 --> 00:04:21.419
- A day, every day is not in the national news?
- 00:04:21.419 --> 00:04:24.556
- How is that allowed to go under all of the media radar?
- 00:04:24.556 --> 00:04:27.726
- I think i'm disgusted by it.
- 00:04:28.326 --> 00:04:30.128
- I think we've gotten numb to society.
- 00:04:30.128 --> 00:04:32.664
- From what happens over and over again.
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- I'm going to read to you briefly three quote
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- I am on a number of confidential or private facebook
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- Groups of other veterans, many veterans suffering.
- 00:04:40.572 --> 00:04:43.408
- And almost daily there's communications on there.
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- I'm going to read you a few.
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- Without giving the names, this is a wife.
- 00:04:47.712 --> 00:04:49.914
- She writes.
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- After losing my husband to ptsd in 2019,
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- I found myself wanting to join him many times
- 00:04:54.486 --> 00:04:57.989
- During the first two years,
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- But she reached out to a crisis line.
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- She had positive experiences each time.
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- The very critical phone number they hopefully we'll talk
- 00:05:03.828 --> 00:05:05.697
- More later about, which is nine, eight, eight.
- 00:05:05.697 --> 00:05:07.899
- I've richard, is another veteran.
- 00:05:07.899 --> 00:05:10.368
- He said not suicidal at all, but he embraces death
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- And he's ready for it.
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- Pastor, this is what i want to discuss briefly,
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- Because this is where i think we really miss it in our society
- 00:05:17.709 --> 00:05:21.146
- Is many veterans don't want to take their lives,
- 00:05:21.146 --> 00:05:24.482
- But they are dealing with such traumatic pain
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- Or ptsd that they feel
- 00:05:28.186 --> 00:05:30.522
- As if their life ended, that that pain would end.
- 00:05:30.522 --> 00:05:34.259
- That is the other part
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- Of what we have to address here
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- Is that they're not actively trying to take their own lives,
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- But they feel as if death were to come.
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- They would end the sufferings.
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- So that is also a missed
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- Talking point of what
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- We have got to acknowledge, because i see it so many times
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- Within these
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- Networks of veterans that are sharing their comments
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- And how they feel, they don't want to take their own lives,
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- But they feel like the pain
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- Of the memories and the lack of the care
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- Of what they're getting.
- 00:06:00.585 --> 00:06:01.953
- That ending their life could end the sufferings.
- 00:06:01.953 --> 00:06:04.789
- This is where we can do so much more work
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- Through veterans outreach.
- 00:06:07.826 --> 00:06:09.961
- Well, let's stay with that for just a moment.
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- You know,
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- I live in the church world
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- And we provide all sorts of groups
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- For trauma points in life.
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- Cancer survivors, people who've gone through divorce.
- 00:06:18.269 --> 00:06:22.240
- As i said, we've done groups for military.
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- But what i hear you describing is it's not just a nice idea.
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- It's really essential.
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- We don't need another program in washington.
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- We need people across the heartland of america
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- Mobilizing in their churches or elsewhere
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- To help the veterans
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- Be together, to help one another through these very difficult
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- Challenges as they reenter their routines.
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- It is pastor.
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- And also, let me put something else
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- Very direct and forward out
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- There is when america puts our men and women to fight
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- Overseas, we have got to fight to win and leave victoriously.
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- And you think today about all i was served in iraq.
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- I know a lot of iraq and afghanistan veterans.
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- When you look at that
- 00:07:02.013 --> 00:07:02.881
- Pullout in afghanistan
- 00:07:02.881 --> 00:07:04.382
- And you look at how we leave these places,
- 00:07:04.382 --> 00:07:06.651
- Veterans today that are suffering,
- 00:07:06.651 --> 00:07:08.186
- They came home, they lost a marriage, they lost a job.
- 00:07:08.186 --> 00:07:11.422
- And they asked themselves,
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- What did they fight for in this country?
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- We have got to make sure that certainly
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- If we're going to send our men and women
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- Forward to fight evil, that we fight to win.
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- So when they come home,
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- They can celebrate that victory for their lifetime
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- And not a disgraceful pullout like we saw in afghanistan.
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- There are men and women that served overseas today. go.
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- What in the world that i sacrificed
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- Leaving my wife and children and everything for?
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- And we just simply wash our hands and walk away
- 00:07:36.681 --> 00:07:39.651
- And everything goes to hell in the world.
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- We're going to fight.
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- We better fight to win.
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- And our legislators, our policy folks
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- And our presidents are for us to fight
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- For us to fight to win every single time
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- That an exit strategy that looks like defeat in our lives is.
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- That is where the tremendous hurt and this guilt and this,
- 00:07:55.133 --> 00:07:59.404
- What did we sacrifice so much for impacts us mentally.
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- And it also impacts those around us,
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- Our loved ones, our children, our spouses,
- 00:08:06.110 --> 00:08:09.380
- Everybody else that we're connected to.
- 00:08:09.380 --> 00:08:11.549
- That is what's missing.
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- That if we fight, we've got to fight to win.
- 00:08:12.850 --> 00:08:15.153
- We're not afraid to fight, but us in battles.
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- But we're going to come home.
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- We're going to know that what we did made a difference.
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- Well, i appreciate your counsel.
- 00:08:23.595 --> 00:08:25.229
- I have found that a simple thank you
- 00:08:25.229 --> 00:08:27.298
- Not only the veterans, but to the families of those
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- Who are active military.
- 00:08:29.434 --> 00:08:31.169
- Just an expression
- 00:08:31.169 --> 00:08:32.303
- Of appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifices
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- They're making makes a tremendous difference.
- 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:37.842
- Again, i'm not waiting for washington.
- 00:08:37.842 --> 00:08:39.377
- Let's go be the difference now,
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- When we come back, we're going to talk about what
- 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:44.349
- Paul does to counsel soldiers who may be on the edge.
- 00:08:44.349 --> 00:08:48.319
- We'll be back with more from paul sabo in just a moment.
- 00:08:48.319 --> 00:08:57.002
- We'll be back with more from paul sabo in just a moment.
- 00:08:57.002 --> 00:08:59.698
- We're back
- 00:08:59.999 --> 00:09:01.100
- Now with the former white house adviser, paul shabo.
- 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:04.403
- Paul, what do you say to veterans
- 00:09:04.403 --> 00:09:05.971
- Who may be contemplating
- 00:09:05.971 --> 00:09:07.039
- Taking their own lives when they call and ask for help?
- 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:10.909
- Absolutely critical that, they get on the line immediately?
- 00:09:10.909 --> 00:09:13.946
- Nine, eight, eight is a critical line.
- 00:09:13.946 --> 00:09:16.281
- Nationwide, veterans can press number one for veterans
- 00:09:16.281 --> 00:09:19.852
- Specifics, but nine, eight, eight
- 00:09:19.852 --> 00:09:21.253
- Is really the 911 now for mental health
- 00:09:21.253 --> 00:09:23.922
- Across this country, not just for veterans,
- 00:09:23.922 --> 00:09:25.824
- But the entire population.
- 00:09:25.824 --> 00:09:27.526
- Veterans has a segment kind of broken out in that.
- 00:09:27.526 --> 00:09:29.662
- So please press number one.
- 00:09:29.662 --> 00:09:31.797
- There's also a website which i'm sure
- 00:09:31.797 --> 00:09:33.132
- We're going to discuss, the veteran crisis line
- 00:09:33.132 --> 00:09:35.768
- Dot net extremely important resource for veterans.
- 00:09:35.768 --> 00:09:39.371
- But also join and find groups on facebook.
- 00:09:39.371 --> 00:09:42.641
- There are confidential groups
- 00:09:42.641 --> 00:09:44.276
- That our veterans can join right now
- 00:09:44.276 --> 00:09:46.679
- Where there are hundreds of thousands,
- 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:48.280
- Tens of thousands of veterans that are sharing their ideas.
- 00:09:48.280 --> 00:09:51.684
- And i see these conversations daily.
- 00:09:51.684 --> 00:09:54.687
- Some engage profusely with these veterans that are expressing,
- 00:09:54.687 --> 00:09:59.058
- Their feelings, which is critical.
- 00:09:59.058 --> 00:10:02.294
- It's also important that we do not let a veteran, be alone.
- 00:10:02.294 --> 00:10:05.998
- And also if we at all feel
- 00:10:05.998 --> 00:10:08.233
- That somebody is about to take their life,
- 00:10:08.233 --> 00:10:10.169
- A veteran or somebody else, you've got to get on the phone
- 00:10:10.169 --> 00:10:13.305
- And call 911.
- 00:10:13.305 --> 00:10:14.473
- Intervention is absolutely, critical.
- 00:10:14.473 --> 00:10:17.810
- But to the veteran who sort of borderline right now
- 00:10:17.810 --> 00:10:20.045
- Who's struggling with this nine,
- 00:10:20.045 --> 00:10:22.047
- Eight, eight is a great first step.
- 00:10:22.047 --> 00:10:24.516
- But also being around veterans is absolutely critical,
- 00:10:24.516 --> 00:10:28.020
- Whether you're doing it socially on social media or in person,
- 00:10:28.020 --> 00:10:32.091
- You know, vfw, american legion, dav chapters,
- 00:10:32.091 --> 00:10:35.661
- They're all over the place.
- 00:10:35.661 --> 00:10:37.196
- The more we are around people like ourselves,
- 00:10:37.196 --> 00:10:39.598
- We share the stories,
- 00:10:39.598 --> 00:10:40.699
- The emotions, the feelings, the challenges,
- 00:10:40.699 --> 00:10:43.202
- The better we can get through this together.
- 00:10:43.202 --> 00:10:44.803
- Think about this veterans.
- 00:10:44.803 --> 00:10:46.405
- When we served overseas, we all wear,
- 00:10:46.405 --> 00:10:48.674
- You know, the same uniform, different branches of service.
- 00:10:48.674 --> 00:10:51.376
- We didn't care what color you were or what state
- 00:10:51.376 --> 00:10:53.579
- You were from.
- 00:10:53.579 --> 00:10:54.246
- It's that we loved our country
- 00:10:54.246 --> 00:10:55.614
- And we fought for something together.
- 00:10:55.614 --> 00:10:57.683
- When you come home, you might take that uniform off,
- 00:10:57.683 --> 00:11:00.519
- But that's it.
- 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:01.687
- Everything else about us, the camaraderie stays together
- 00:11:01.687 --> 00:11:04.857
- And we are still number one and backing each other.
- 00:11:04.857 --> 00:11:07.559
- So leaving the uniform, coming home as a veteran
- 00:11:07.559 --> 00:11:10.796
- Is just as important as you being overseas in the foxhole
- 00:11:10.796 --> 00:11:13.532
- Or wherever you may be,
- 00:11:13.532 --> 00:11:14.700
- And communicating strongly with your veteran men
- 00:11:14.700 --> 00:11:17.569
- And women counterparts across this country.
- 00:11:17.569 --> 00:11:21.540
- Well, it seems to me the pentagon is essentially stopped
- 00:11:22.641 --> 00:11:25.210
- Showing what happens during war.
- 00:11:25.210 --> 00:11:27.546
- Reporters can only embed with soldiers
- 00:11:27.546 --> 00:11:29.381
- In a very controlled environment
- 00:11:29.381 --> 00:11:31.650
- That's very different than it was during
- 00:11:31.650 --> 00:11:33.318
- Previous wars, where the public had an up close view.
- 00:11:33.318 --> 00:11:36.655
- In addition, even when a soldier is killed,
- 00:11:36.655 --> 00:11:38.857
- Tv cameras aren't allowed to record
- 00:11:38.857 --> 00:11:40.726
- The flag draped caskets when they're unloaded back home.
- 00:11:40.726 --> 00:11:44.296
- The only exception is when the president
- 00:11:44.296 --> 00:11:46.165
- Is there and wants to be seen.
- 00:11:46.165 --> 00:11:48.267
- Well, i would argue
- 00:11:48.267 --> 00:11:49.401
- That this also hides the truth from the american public
- 00:11:49.401 --> 00:11:52.304
- And perhaps
- 00:11:52.304 --> 00:11:53.438
- Contributes to the issue of vets our vets being ignored.
- 00:11:53.438 --> 00:11:57.042
- Am i wrong on this?
- 00:11:57.042 --> 00:11:59.611
- Now the public needs to see the real life
- 00:11:59.611 --> 00:12:01.914
- Because we see it in the military.
- 00:12:01.914 --> 00:12:04.383
- We've got a lot of young men and women that join the military.
- 00:12:04.383 --> 00:12:07.586
- Think of it 18, 19, 20 years old.
- 00:12:07.586 --> 00:12:09.788
- I spent 21 years in as a reservist
- 00:12:09.788 --> 00:12:12.624
- And then activated in iraq.
- 00:12:12.624 --> 00:12:14.493
- Many spent 20 years full time.
- 00:12:14.493 --> 00:12:16.728
- My heart really goes out this younger generation to 18,
- 00:12:16.728 --> 00:12:20.265
- 19, 20 year old,
- 00:12:20.265 --> 00:12:21.667
- Those that served in iraq and afghanistan
- 00:12:21.667 --> 00:12:23.769
- At a very young age, still forming their boundaries
- 00:12:23.769 --> 00:12:26.872
- And life and the terror and horror that they had seen.
- 00:12:26.872 --> 00:12:30.375
- I feel that the american people need to understand
- 00:12:30.375 --> 00:12:33.512
- And see what we see,
- 00:12:33.512 --> 00:12:35.547
- Because we saw the death and destruction overseas.
- 00:12:35.547 --> 00:12:38.417
- You need to see it at home.
- 00:12:38.417 --> 00:12:40.118
- And this is why, when i said previously,
- 00:12:40.118 --> 00:12:42.721
- When our country sends our men and women to fight,
- 00:12:42.721 --> 00:12:45.757
- We have got to fight to win.
- 00:12:45.757 --> 00:12:47.292
- You never want to send your men
- 00:12:47.292 --> 00:12:48.627
- And women over to fight to lose.
- 00:12:48.627 --> 00:12:50.429
- You've got to give them the equipment
- 00:12:50.429 --> 00:12:52.164
- And the training to win.
- 00:12:52.164 --> 00:12:53.699
- And when we go overseas to fight,
- 00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:55.767
- We've got to make sure that the end state is to win.
- 00:12:55.767 --> 00:12:58.270
- And what does victory look like?
- 00:12:58.270 --> 00:13:00.205
- Because coming home
- 00:13:00.205 --> 00:13:02.040
- Victorious and unlike how the vietnam generation
- 00:13:02.040 --> 00:13:05.143
- Was spat on, coming through san francisco airports,
- 00:13:05.143 --> 00:13:08.780
- They blazed the trail
- 00:13:08.780 --> 00:13:10.115
- For a lot of improvements that we see today with veterans.
- 00:13:10.115 --> 00:13:13.151
- We still have a long way to go until we get that number 22
- 00:13:13.151 --> 00:13:17.856
- Down to zero.
- 00:13:17.856 --> 00:13:20.058
- Amen.
- 00:13:20.292 --> 00:13:21.727
- Well, the
- 00:13:21.727 --> 00:13:22.561
- Veterans administration has frequently
- 00:13:22.561 --> 00:13:23.862
- Been a target of criticism.
- 00:13:23.862 --> 00:13:25.764
- President elect trump clearly has the vets on his radar.
- 00:13:25.764 --> 00:13:30.068
- Don't know that is how is it going
- 00:13:30.802 --> 00:13:33.171
- To get to the point rapidly where you can't see a doctor
- 00:13:33.171 --> 00:13:37.276
- When you go outside, you find a doctor,
- 00:13:37.276 --> 00:13:40.979
- You get yourself fixed up, and there we pay the bill.
- 00:13:40.979 --> 00:13:44.950
- And it was a great thing.
- 00:13:44.950 --> 00:13:46.451
- And he said, it's rapidly, not being used.
- 00:13:46.451 --> 00:13:49.388
- We're going to go back.
- 00:13:49.388 --> 00:13:50.589
- We go back and we're going back to right.
- 00:13:50.589 --> 00:13:52.958
- We're going back to it immediately.
- 00:13:52.958 --> 00:13:55.928
- Well, is this something the president can do
- 00:13:55.928 --> 00:13:57.996
- Without having to wait for congress to act?
- 00:13:57.996 --> 00:14:00.532
- Yeah, like the president trump did something amazing,
- 00:14:00.532 --> 00:14:03.168
- Really pushing for the community care act.
- 00:14:03.168 --> 00:14:05.604
- And what is this?
- 00:14:05.604 --> 00:14:07.039
- This is where if the va can't get you in
- 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:09.141
- Within the first 30 days.
- 00:14:09.141 --> 00:14:10.309
- And now actually, numbers really don't matter.
- 00:14:10.309 --> 00:14:12.778
- You can go to the private sector for private health care.
- 00:14:12.778 --> 00:14:15.747
- I'm a disabled veteran.
- 00:14:15.747 --> 00:14:16.949
- I can now go into the private sector
- 00:14:16.949 --> 00:14:19.084
- And get health care
- 00:14:19.084 --> 00:14:20.085
- For virtually any single treatment or ailment.
- 00:14:20.085 --> 00:14:23.255
- And that's what our veterans need to know,
- 00:14:23.255 --> 00:14:25.157
- Is not many are aware of the community care,
- 00:14:25.157 --> 00:14:27.159
- This act that president bush pushed forward
- 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:29.594
- To make sure that we don't have to wait
- 00:14:29.594 --> 00:14:31.196
- In the lines at a va for a system
- 00:14:31.196 --> 00:14:33.465
- That is just very difficult to work through.
- 00:14:33.465 --> 00:14:36.468
- You can actually get phenomenal care
- 00:14:36.468 --> 00:14:38.637
- In the private sector, paid through through the va.
- 00:14:38.637 --> 00:14:41.406
- So be sure veterans you're aware of this spouse's caretakers
- 00:14:41.406 --> 00:14:46.011
- Look into the community care act.
- 00:14:46.011 --> 00:14:47.546
- I know when trump comes back in, he's
- 00:14:47.546 --> 00:14:49.414
- Going to push this fast forward.
- 00:14:49.414 --> 00:14:50.816
- He believes in what the private sector can do
- 00:14:50.816 --> 00:14:53.585
- To augment and supplement this crisis that we have
- 00:14:53.585 --> 00:14:56.888
- With our military veterans.
- 00:14:56.888 --> 00:14:58.690
- Well, you've mentioned some options already.
- 00:14:59.591 --> 00:15:01.793
- But before we go, can you point our viewers
- 00:15:01.793 --> 00:15:04.129
- To any public resources they should know about?
- 00:15:04.129 --> 00:15:06.498
- If they know a veteran, they need help.
- 00:15:06.498 --> 00:15:08.834
- Absolutely.
- 00:15:08.834 --> 00:15:09.601
- So 988
- 00:15:09.601 --> 00:15:10.836
- Remember that that is the 911 and the other is veteran crisis.
- 00:15:10.836 --> 00:15:15.307
- Lynette again, veteran crisis line dot net.
- 00:15:15.307 --> 00:15:20.612
- Lastly, pastor,
- 00:15:20.612 --> 00:15:21.747
- I know we've talked a lot about veterans here.
- 00:15:21.747 --> 00:15:24.516
- I also don't want to forget our law enforcement.
- 00:15:24.516 --> 00:15:26.918
- Many of them commit suicide as well.
- 00:15:26.918 --> 00:15:29.254
- We have a crisis in this country
- 00:15:29.254 --> 00:15:30.789
- With our law enforcement community.
- 00:15:30.789 --> 00:15:32.591
- They see the terror and horror on the streets
- 00:15:32.591 --> 00:15:34.559
- And the jobs that they do daily.
- 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:36.828
- Many of us who wear the uniform are afraid to acknowledge
- 00:15:36.828 --> 00:15:40.265
- These issues that we deal with.
- 00:15:40.265 --> 00:15:41.800
- But i will tell you, when i retired
- 00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:43.702
- From the navy two years ago in my retirement ceremony,
- 00:15:43.702 --> 00:15:46.805
- I said something i probably wouldn't have said 20 years ago.
- 00:15:46.805 --> 00:15:50.042
- Afraid that i might lose my job.
- 00:15:50.042 --> 00:15:51.710
- And it's this pastor.
- 00:15:51.710 --> 00:15:53.378
- It's that we are all broken.
- 00:15:53.378 --> 00:15:55.947
- Every single one of us.
- 00:15:55.947 --> 00:15:57.849
- We are broken.
- 00:15:57.849 --> 00:15:59.051
- We've got to be able to accept that and reach out
- 00:15:59.051 --> 00:16:01.987
- For help and find people that share the same effort.
- 00:16:01.987 --> 00:16:05.957
- And so, pastor, thank you for bringing attention to this.
- 00:16:05.957 --> 00:16:08.393
- I really want to see
- 00:16:08.393 --> 00:16:09.494
- The churches engage across this country and creating
- 00:16:09.494 --> 00:16:12.431
- Veteran life groups
- 00:16:12.431 --> 00:16:14.199
- And getting that out into every single community
- 00:16:14.199 --> 00:16:16.935
- And city and town across america,
- 00:16:16.935 --> 00:16:19.571
- Because our veterans right now are looking for that.
- 00:16:19.571 --> 00:16:22.607
- But they're not hearing about it.
- 00:16:22.607 --> 00:16:24.076
- So let's please try to advocate for more veteran life groups
- 00:16:24.076 --> 00:16:27.913
- Across this country and every single church.
- 00:16:27.913 --> 00:16:31.216
- Well, paul, thank you for joining us again.
- 00:16:32.117 --> 00:16:34.086
- We're going to stay on this in the months ahead with your help.
- 00:16:34.086 --> 00:16:37.823
- Thank you, pastor.
- 00:16:38.256 --> 00:16:39.357
- God bless you and god bless all that are watching
- 00:16:39.357 --> 00:16:40.826
- And helping to make a difference.
- 00:16:40.826 --> 00:16:43.195
- Amen.
- 00:16:43.195 --> 00:16:44.262
- Well, in a moment i'll have some additional
- 00:16:44.262 --> 00:16:45.964
- Thoughts and reasons for hope.
- 00:16:45.964 --> 00:16:53.004
- Thoughts and reasons for hope.
- 00:16:53.004 --> 00:16:55.241
- If you're a veteran, a police officer,
- 00:16:56.075 --> 00:16:58.077
- A first responder, we salute you.
- 00:16:58.077 --> 00:17:01.114
- We offer you our heartfelt gratitude
- 00:17:01.114 --> 00:17:03.182
- For defending our freedoms and liberties.
- 00:17:03.182 --> 00:17:06.085
- We understand that your discipline, your obedience,
- 00:17:06.085 --> 00:17:09.188
- Willingness to be under authority,
- 00:17:09.188 --> 00:17:10.890
- It changed the destinies of other people's lives.
- 00:17:10.890 --> 00:17:13.426
- And for that reason, i call you heroes.
- 00:17:13.426 --> 00:17:15.928
- We need a new generation of heroes.
- 00:17:15.928 --> 00:17:17.463
- And i nominate you today.
- 00:17:17.463 --> 00:17:19.966
- I can only imagine the burden you carry, what you experienced
- 00:17:19.966 --> 00:17:23.302
- On your assignments.
- 00:17:23.302 --> 00:17:24.737
- Well, may my please, to all
- 00:17:25.338 --> 00:17:27.106
- The christ followers, to people who sit in churches
- 00:17:27.106 --> 00:17:29.308
- And imagine yourselves to be people of faith, be aware.
- 00:17:29.308 --> 00:17:33.212
- Listen to those around you, see if they need help.
- 00:17:33.212 --> 00:17:37.016
- Think about others more frequently,
- 00:17:37.016 --> 00:17:38.784
- Not just about yourself.
- 00:17:38.784 --> 00:17:40.553
- Matthew 514 says, you're the light of the world.
- 00:17:40.553 --> 00:17:43.656
- The town built on a hill can't be hidden.
- 00:17:43.656 --> 00:17:46.259
- Neither the people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
- 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:49.295
- Instead, they put it on its stand
- 00:17:49.295 --> 00:17:50.963
- And it gives light to everyone in the house.
- 00:17:50.963 --> 00:17:54.567
- That's our assignment, is to be light in this world.
- 00:17:54.567 --> 00:17:57.637
- And i think we're far too long now.
- 00:17:57.637 --> 00:17:59.238
- We've been waiting for someone else to do it.
- 00:17:59.238 --> 00:18:01.707
- People ask me frequently,
- 00:18:01.707 --> 00:18:02.909
- What's the church going to do about this?
- 00:18:02.909 --> 00:18:05.044
- And i always respond the same way.
- 00:18:05.044 --> 00:18:06.345
- Well, i'm not certain. what do you plan to do?
- 00:18:06.345 --> 00:18:08.881
- Because at the end of the day, we are the church.
- 00:18:08.881 --> 00:18:11.250
- It's not some mystical group
- 00:18:11.250 --> 00:18:12.552
- Of people that live someplace else.
- 00:18:12.552 --> 00:18:14.787
- We've waited for washington.
- 00:18:14.787 --> 00:18:16.055
- We've waited for somebody else.
- 00:18:16.055 --> 00:18:17.690
- Let's decide to be the difference
- 00:18:17.690 --> 00:18:19.192
- And be a light in the midst of the darkness.
- 00:18:19.192 --> 00:18:21.427
- If we'll do that,
- 00:18:21.427 --> 00:18:22.595
- There's more reasons for hope than despair, i promise.
- 00:18:22.595 --> 00:18:26.265
- Well, that's my message for tonight.
- 00:18:26.265 --> 00:18:28.034
- And after a short break, we'll start looking at your messages.
- 00:18:28.034 --> 00:18:36.009
- And after a short break, we'll start looking at your messages.
- 00:18:36.009 --> 00:18:38.646
- Thank you for taking the time
- 00:18:39.280 --> 00:18:40.481
- To send your emails, your thoughts and ideas.
- 00:18:40.481 --> 00:18:42.617
- Your questions are an important part of the program.
- 00:18:42.617 --> 00:18:45.286
- Before i read those, i want to extend my invitation
- 00:18:45.286 --> 00:18:47.922
- To you again.
- 00:18:47.922 --> 00:18:49.057
- I'm inviting my friends all over the country to join me
- 00:18:49.057 --> 00:18:51.593
- In reading through the gospels at the beginning of this year,
- 00:18:51.593 --> 00:18:54.562
- 10 or 15 minutes a day.
- 00:18:54.562 --> 00:18:55.697
- It's about a 60 day journey.
- 00:18:55.697 --> 00:18:57.599
- Matthew, mark, luke, and john.
- 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:59.467
- The reason i'm inviting you is
- 00:18:59.467 --> 00:19:00.702
- I believe if we'll take that time,
- 00:19:00.702 --> 00:19:02.103
- It will bring the blessing of god
- 00:19:02.103 --> 00:19:04.005
- Into our lives, our homes, and our nation.
- 00:19:04.005 --> 00:19:06.841
- That's worth an investment of a few minutes each day.
- 00:19:06.841 --> 00:19:09.043
- I hope you'll join me.
- 00:19:09.043 --> 00:19:10.211
- You go to the website and get all the details
- 00:19:10.211 --> 00:19:12.714
- Now for your emails.
- 00:19:12.714 --> 00:19:14.249
- Lisa greene from kingsport, tennessee.
- 00:19:15.083 --> 00:19:17.085
- Thank you for your time and effort
- 00:19:17.085 --> 00:19:18.686
- That you put into a tv program.
- 00:19:18.686 --> 00:19:20.154
- You're a vessel being used by god, as evidenced
- 00:19:20.154 --> 00:19:22.690
- By the godly biblical truths you proclaim in your sermons,
- 00:19:22.690 --> 00:19:26.060
- As well as addressing the issues in alan jackson.
- 00:19:26.060 --> 00:19:28.563
- Now, thank you again.
- 00:19:28.563 --> 00:19:30.164
- I'll pray for continued, spirit filled teaching.
- 00:19:30.164 --> 00:19:33.368
- Well, thank you for your opinion, lisa.
- 00:19:33.368 --> 00:19:35.169
- It's our lives being changed that are the real evidence.
- 00:19:35.169 --> 00:19:38.306
- I want to encourage you to ask your friends
- 00:19:38.306 --> 00:19:39.841
- To join in watching the program. it will help all of us.
- 00:19:39.841 --> 00:19:42.443
- 7 p.m.
- 00:19:42.443 --> 00:19:43.278
- Eastern time, 6 p.m. central time.
- 00:19:43.278 --> 00:19:45.947
- Or you can find the every episode on youtube
- 00:19:45.947 --> 00:19:49.350
- At alan jackson.
- 00:19:49.350 --> 00:19:50.418
- Now, if you miss an episode, you can see it there.
- 00:19:50.418 --> 00:19:53.421
- Your participation in it makes a difference.
- 00:19:53.421 --> 00:19:55.690
- Take a moment to send your emails
- 00:19:55.690 --> 00:19:57.125
- To comments at alan jackson now.com.
- 00:19:57.125 --> 00:20:00.161
- Your feedback and questions do a lot to shape our show.
- 00:20:00.161 --> 00:20:03.898
- I'm alan jackson. you have a wonderful evening.
- 00:20:03.898 --> 00:20:03.898