Shelter Island Reporter editorial: Veterans Day 2026

The words veteran and sacrifice are inseparably linked. Those who served in the American military have given up innumerable comforts, which is part of the deal they made with their fellow citizens. And on Memorial Day we honor those who, as Lincoln said at Gettysburg, sacrificed “ to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.” 

But we don’t have to go back to 1863 to see the sacrifices made by living veterans. Recently we learned about the mission of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which had a record, uninterrupted deployment at sea. The Acting Secretary of the Navy, after inquiries made by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) provided information about the crew of the Lincoln, which experienced enormous stress (eight sailors attempted suicide) and, as PBS reported, suffered “supply shortages including food …” 

Also in the Iran war, there have been 21 service members who have given the last full measure of devotion and 865 have been wounded.

Veterans are also in the news this year for many good reasons, including the number who ran this year for public office, a spike in veteran candidates not seen since the end of World War II.

But other news of those who volunteered to serve our country is not good at all, with suicide and drug overdoses — as well as alcohol abuse — continuing to be some of the most common killers of veterans. Homelessness among veterans and those living in poverty is a national disgrace.

Veterans experience a unique set of challenges, from deployment and combat to the often-difficult process of re-integration into civilian life after leaving the military — all of which can have significant and long-lasting effects on their mental health and well-being.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has estimated that 32,882 veterans experience homelessness on a given night.

National Veterans Homeless Support has reported that, “In particular, mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder are known to be common among veterans … For veterans suffering from mental illness, the consequences can be dire. Mental illness may cause veterans to feel isolated or lonely or may affect their ability to hold a steady job. Without a support system and stable employment, these individuals are then at a higher risk of homelessness and economic insecurity.”

There has been some positive news, however, with the number of veterans experiencing homelessness dropping by 43% since 2011. In our state, according to Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, the number of homeless vets dropped 83% between 2010 and 2022, going from 5,857 to 990. And nationally, the country has seen an 11% decline in homelessness among veterans between 2020 and 2022, with the Veterans Administration noting that it’s the largest drop in homelessness for veterans in more than five years.

Still, there are grim numbers to confront. The National Alliance to End Homelessness reported that 22,048 are living in shelters, while the number of those living in woods, parks, their cars or on the street, is 15,204. The Veterans Administration has outreach and resources available to combat homelessness among our veterans. Go to va.gov/homeless/ssvf/ for information.

Let’s hope that things continue to change for the better. And this week, and every week, remember those Islanders — and those everywhere — who served and are serving our country.