Every year on the last Monday of May, Americans pause to observe Memorial Day a federal holiday dedicated to honoring the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. For those of us in healthcare, Memorial Day carries an additional weight: a reminder that the cost of service does not end on the battlefield. At 3B Healthcare, we believe that honoring those who served means more than ceremony. It means showing up through quality care, through awareness, and through action for the veterans and military families in our communities every single day.
The Origins of a Sacred Day
Memorial Day traces its roots to the aftermath of the American Civil War the deadliest conflict in U.S. history, claiming an estimated 620,000 to 750,000 lives. In 1868, General John A. Logan formally designated May 30 as a national day of remembrance. After the losses of World War I and World War II, the day expanded to honor all American servicemembers. In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act made it an official federal holiday. Today, the President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and at 3:00 PM local time, Americans observe a National Moment of Remembrance.
The Hidden Wounds: Veterans Mental and Physical Health
Memorial Day honors those who are gone. But it is also a powerful moment to shine a light on those still with us veterans who carry the physical and emotional weight of their service long after they return home. The statistics are sobering:
Approximately 29% of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan have experienced PTSD (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).
- Around 31% of veterans show symptoms of major depressive disorder significantly higher than the general population.
- The veteran suicide rate stands at 34.7 per 100,000 nearly double that of non-veteran adults.
- Over 10% of veterans struggle with substance use disorders, many co-occurring with PTSD or depression.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has been called the signature wound of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- On a single night in January 2023, more than 35,500 veterans were experiencing homelessness across the U.S.
How You Can Honor Memorial Day
This year, consider weaving in one or more intentional acts of remembrance:
- Visit a local veterans cemetery or war memorial and pay your respects.
- Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 PM on Memorial Day.
- Donate to or volunteer with a military charity or veterans support organization.
- Reach out to a veteran in your life and genuinely ask how they are doing.
- Share resources about veterans mental health with your network to help reduce stigma.
A Message from 3B Healthcare
Freedom is never free. Memorial Day is our annual reminder that behind every right we enjoy, there is a sacrifice we must never forget. At 3B Healthcare, we are proud to serve the communities that are home to so many veterans and military families. We honor the fallen and we commit, every day, to supporting the living.
