Opinion: The VA Needs a Veteran Suicide Funeral Loan Program

Opinion: The VA Needs a Veteran Suicide Funeral Loan Program

Once A Soldier Advocates for a New Bill to Help Veteran Suicide Families

The VA Home Loan program continues to provide value to Veterans and it is a well-earned feather in the cap of the Veterans’ Administration. Once A Soldier believes that a similar government backed loan program needs to be made into law. Significantly smaller in scope than the successful VA Home Loan Program, it will still mean a great deal to our Veteran families.

Now, with the close of the war in Afghanistan, more soldiers will be coming home. We know that transition out of a war zone has is a bumpy road for many. For some, getting a job, keeping it, and just fitting back in seems like a lost cause. Add in the curse of PTSD, and we get a Veteran suicide rate like we have now. 

Additionally, sixteen of the twenty-two military suicides happen to a Veteran and therefore their family. Often times they witness it. They need to clean it up in both ways. It is a great American tragedy.

To us, Veteran families have earned this program in a way to only a Veteran family can. Service means deployments, low pay, and frequent re-assignments. A suicide is one cross too many to bear, in our opinion. We think most people from all countries would agree.

John Rutherford, R-Florida pledges his support for our cause, and we are asking him and the rest of the Congress to consider this Veteran Family Suicide Funeral Home Loan Program. Once you see the vaule, the right thing to do is to act now. 

ABOUT ONCE A SOLDIER

Our Veterans are killing themselves in record numbers mostly due to PTSD. An overmatched VA can’t take care of them or their families. We will.

Soldier suicide leaves Veteran families with thousands of dollars of bills unpaid, mostly bank loans.

We are the only nonprofit standing with the families after a veteran suicide. Stand with us.

Our Mission: Become the preferred channel for donors, advocates and volunteers who care about veteran families left behind after a soldier suicide.