Senator Heidi Heitkamp says "Veterans not just statistics"

Letter: Veterans not just statistics
INFORUM
By: Sen. Heidi Heitkamp
November 12, 2013

Six years ago, Eric Marts was in Iraq. He had joined the National Guard and was deployed to Fallujah for 22 months. While on patrol outside Fallujah, he was hit by a roadside bomb that exploded. Eric survived, but the bomb fully blinded him.

Six years ago, Eric Marts was in Iraq. He had joined the National Guard and was deployed to Fallujah for 22 months. While on patrol outside Fallujah, he was hit by a roadside bomb that exploded. Eric survived, but the bomb fully blinded him.

After returning home, Eric visited a blind rehab center, undergoing months of rehabilitation, and received a guide dog, Deacon, who has been Eric’s eyes ever since. Dedicated to helping and inspiring others, Eric now has his own radio show in Fargo on WDAY-AM 970 on Saturday mornings called “Heroes of the Heartland,” which focuses on service members, veterans and families – offering an outlet for those who have served to reach each other and share their stories.

Eric’s is a story of a man overcoming great obstacles and persevering. It’s a story of success. But it could have turned out very differently. All across the country, we hear about service members coming home from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places across the globe, struggling to catch themselves and integrate back into society.

We hear about the high rates of suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans, and see the internal pain so many of them face. We hear about the large numbers of unemployed young veterans struggling to transition to civilian jobs. And we hear about the high rates of homelessness among veterans of all ages unable to support themselves.

These aren’t just statistics – they’re real, personal stories for so many families. And I’m determined to make sure we do everything we can to give our veterans the care and support they have courageously earned.

When I met with veterans, including Eric, in six cities across North Dakota in July, I listened to their stories, witnessed the pain on many of their faces, and pledged to fight for them.
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