Lake Charles veterans highlight the challenges veterans face, importance of support

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Veterans Day is an opportunity for the community to remember and honor those who have served the country, but some veterans face challenges after their service ends.

Coast Guard Cmdr. Daniel Burke spent the holiday speaking with Lake Charles residents about the importance of supporting veterans.

“It’s very special because we get to stop and pause and honor our veterans. The freedoms that we enjoy come at enormous cost and personal sacrifice.”

Burke, a commander with the U.S. Coast Guard and Marine Safety in Lake Charles, said the community has a role to play in giving back to those who served.

“We’ve demanded a lot of our service members over the generations and there are a lot of wounds that our service members receive in the course of their duty,” Burke said. “It’s really important that we come together as a community and find ways to give back to our veterans that have given so much of themselves.”

More than 30,000 veterans have experienced homelessness, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Ernest Mitchel, a retired Army sergeant major, said pride can make it difficult for some veterans to seek help.

“A lot of them is homeless because of pride,” Mitchel said. “And it’s hard to get them out of that, but we’re still going to keep picking and keep picking until we say that we get every veteran to be non-homeless.”

Rebecca Dent served in the Air Force for 20 years. Her son Donovan, who also served, died four years ago. She said veterans and Air Force organizations have supported her family.

“You sort of have to think about why he joined, why we joined, you know, the whole enchilada,” Dent said. “There’s all sorts of different veterans organizations and all sorts of different Air Force organizations that really came out and have supported us through that.”

Burke encouraged people to spend time with the veterans in their lives.

“I’d say start first of all by thanking the veterans that are closest to you,” Burke “Listen to them, be with them. Everyone knows a veteran. I would say sit down with them, listen to them, hear their stories and just be with them.”

Dent said it is also important for veterans to seek support from one another.

“Reach out and find fellow veterans and join in and be part of the group because that’s what it’s all about is being with people who know what you’ve been through.”