Veterans Day honors veterans’ heroic deeds, highlights their lack of housing, mental health concerns

GALLUP — Her demeanor encapsulated the dichotomy of pride and pain that families of veterans often endure. While she honored her son’s dedication to military service, she also revealed the tragic impact of untreated post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction.

Marilyn Yazzie, from Lupton, Arizona, stood silently, as a heartfelt folding of the flag ceremony was performed on Veterans Day. The U.S. flag of Iraq War veteran Sgt. Frederick Yazzie was ceremonially refolded in a tribute to his service to the United States.

But what wasn’t obvious that Marilyn didn’t share with the attending public was the ongoing struggle her son faced after fulfilling his obligation as a soldier and then transitioning back to civilian life as a wartime veteran.

Yazzie reflected on her son’s deep commitment to military service.

“He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and he loved being a military person,” she shared. “He re-enlisted twice before his passing. He went through so much PTSD that he just turned to alcohol. But he still loved being a veteran. I am proud of him for who he was, being such a loving person to everyone.”

Veterans’ struggles

Yazzie highlighted both the struggles faced by veterans like her son and the broader systemic issues regarding support for them.

She expressed frustration with the neglect of veterans’ needs by political leaders during election cycles, asserting:

“Every election time people have the same platform that veterans are going to be their number one priority, but yet they’re still being overlooked,” she said.

Her call for action is clear: she emphasized the lack of rehabilitation resources for veterans struggling with substance abuse, particularly within tribal communities.

While honoring her son, Yazzie also advocated for significant changes in how society supports veterans, particularly in providing necessary mental health and rehabilitation services.

Jon Tester, the chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, recently expressed his frustration over the findings of a December 2023 Report on Transparency in Mental Health Care Services from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In a letter addressed to VA Secretary Denis McDonough on April 1, Tester highlighted the urgent need for adequate mental health services, particularly in rural areas where access is severely limited.

“Despite the VA’s department-wide focus on mental health and the progress made towards increasing eligibility and veteran access to care, the report indicates that VA facilities are struggling to meet the growing demand for these essential services,” Tester stated.

He emphasized that “more needs to be done, specifically in rural areas, to keep pace with increased demand and prevent gaps in care that can have dire impacts on veterans and their families.”

Alarming statistics

Tester pointed to alarming statistics that between fiscal 2008 and 2023, the number of veterans receiving mental health care services from the Veterans Health Administration, or VHA, grew by an astonishing 83%, outpacing the growth of all other VA health care services by more than three times. As of fiscal 2023, nearly one-third of the more than 9 million veterans enrolled in VHA live in rural areas, yet in-person mental health services are often clustered at large VA Medical Centers in urban locations.

“Once those providers are gone, it can take years to fill their vacancies, and even longer to encourage those patients to return to care,” Tester lamented, adding that the time lost can be life-threatening for veterans in need of support.

Despite recognizing some recent strides made by the VA in enhancing mental health service accessibility, Tester urged a renewed commitment to address the shortcomings.

“I understand the shortage of mental health care professionals is not solely a VA issue,” he acknowledged, referencing the Department of Health and Human Services, which reports that 122 million people live in areas lacking sufficient mental health care professionals. “However, the VA must lead the effort to tackle this crisis because we made a promise to provide timely health care to our veterans no matter where they are located.”

In his letter to Secretary McDonough, Tester also inquired about the number of VA clinics lacking in-person mental health providers and those equipped for telehealth appointments while emphasizing the importance of same-day mental health visit availability at all facilities.

Tester lost his bid for reelection to Republican challenger Tim Sheehy. President-elect Donald Trump selected Army veteran and conservative commentator Pete Hegseth, 44, to lead the Veterans Affairs Department as its next secretary.

Known for his strong conservative views, Hegseth previously led influential veterans advocacy organizations, including Vets For Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America. Through these platforms, he has campaigned for policy changes aimed at reducing restrictions on the use of Veterans Affairs funding for private healthcare options, reflecting a broader conservative push for privatization in veteran services.

Hegseth’s military career is marked by notable service as a National Guard soldier that also includes the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and two Bronze. In addition to his previous roles, Hegseth maintains a connection to the military through his status in the Minnesota Army National Guard’s Individual Ready Reserve.

Help for Diné veterans

On the Navajo Nation, specifically with the Navajo Nation Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services, help seems to be abundantly available for Navajo veterans struggling with their mental health issues.

According to their website, DBMHS provides comprehensive behavioral health and substance abuse treatment services across the Navajo Nation with services that include outpatient and residential care, substance abuse and suicide prevention, traditionally based services, faith-based services, Sober Living Center in Chinle, where support to individuals in recovery, tribal opioid response, and emergency response for mental health crises

DBMHS has multiple locations throughout the Navajo Nation in Chinle, Crownpoint, Dilkon, Fort Defiance, Gallup, Kaibeto, Kayenta, Newlands, Red Mesa, Shiprock, Tuba City, and Window Rock.

And for people needing immediate assistance, are encouraged to call the National Suicide Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, the Crisis Text Line, where they can text “hello” to 741741, Navajo Nation Police Dispatch at (928) 871-6111, and 911.

Even homeless Navajo veterans seem to get a break.

Homes for Navajo veterans

On Sept. 30, the Buu Nygren and Richelle Montoya administration signed a $31.7 million contract with BITCO to build 95 homes for Navajo veterans in all five agencies.

BITCO is a Navajo-owned construction firm led by Jeremiah Bitsui.

The partnership intends to attempt to meet the critical lack of housing needs for Navajo veterans. BITCO states they plan to build cost-effective three-bedroom homes.

With the signing of the contract, all $50 million in the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, funding for veterans’ homes is now obligated. Additionally, two contracts with Southwest Indian Foundation, or SWIF, a nonprofit focused on assisting Native Americans across New Mexico, have led to 22 homes that are currently under construction.

Constitutional amendments

New Mexico voters passed two significant constitutional amendments aimed at enhancing property tax exemptions for veterans.

Constitutional Amendment 1 will expand the current tax exemption available only to one hundred percent disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. Under the proposed changes, veterans with disabilities rated below one hundred percent would also qualify for a property tax exemption, with the exemption amount determined by the veteran’s federal disability rating. This amendment aims to provide greater financial relief to a broader range of veterans and their families, acknowledging their service and sacrifices.

Meanwhile, Constitutional Amendment 2 will increase the existing property tax exemption for honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces, as well as their widows and widowers. This amendment reflects a growing recognition of the need to support veterans who have served the country and may face economic challenges.

The approved state amendments won’t help veterans living on reservations but could benefit Indigenous veterans living off the reservation.

New Mexico State Senator Shannon Pinto, recently reelected to her seat, is advocating for an increase in the liquor tax to generate funding for behavioral health programs aimed at supporting veterans. Pinto, whose grandfather was the late John Pinto, emphasized the urgency of providing necessary resources closer to home.

“It’s important that they stay close and have the support from their families instead of having to go so far,” she stated, reflecting on the challenges many veterans face when seeking treatment.

Senator Pinto drew from personal experience to highlight the impact of travel on veterans’ mental health care.

“Even with my father, that was one of the things that if he pursued to have treatment, he would have to go to Colorado,” she shared of her father, who is a Vietnam War veteran.

Significant barriers

This distance can create significant barriers for veterans who may already be struggling with their emotional and psychological well-being. Pinto believes that developing infrastructure for local programs can ease these difficulties and provide a necessary lifeline for those in need.

The proposed liquor tax increase seeks not just to raise funds, but to ensure that veterans have access to essential services within their communities.

“You think about going to war, that’s all they think about—coming home and being home,” Pinto remarked on Monday.

Yazzie said she hopes her son is remembered for the sacrifices he made to keep America safe and his love for wearing the Army uniform.

“He loved the military. That’s how my son was, and I like to remember all the good memories that he shared with us,” she said.

It is not known exactly how many Navajo veterans there are, but according to the 25th Navajo Nation Council and the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration, there are between 10,000 and 15,000 Navajo veterans living on and off the Navajo Nation.

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