The following is a message from VFW National Commander Fritz Mihelcic

With the recent turn of events in Afghanistan, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) wants the veterans of the war in Afghanistan to know we stand with you. Scores of VFW members know the anger, frustration, and sadness you are experiencing after hearing the troubling reports and seeing the disturbing images coming from lands where we sacrificed so much. From the fall of Saigon in Vietnam, to the withdraw from Somalia after the battle of Mogadishu, to the ISIS take-over of Fallujah, Ramadi, Mosul, and Tikrit, far too many of us have experienced the heavy burden of loss, disappointment, and helplessness our newest generations of veterans may be feeling watching the Taliban return to power.

However, while there is bitter sentiment over this withdrawal, we encourage you to hold your head high. Because of your vigilance, hard work, and selfless sacrifice, you dealt a tremendous blow to Al-Qaeda, taking out its leader Osama Bin Laden, and disrupting its ability to plan and execute another major attack on American soil since September 11, 2001. You who served in Afghanistan with honor, valor, and distinction, our nation owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude for the past twenty years of relative safety and security. Your service was not in vain.

While we continue to watch events unfold in Afghanistan, we remind our brothers and sisters that we are beside you, arm-in-arm, ready to support you. You are not alone.

Please know that through the Department of Veterans Affairs, the VFW, and other nonprofit organizations, there are people you or a battle buddy can talk to and resources available to help cope with the stress of the situation.