As I sit in my local coffee shop, sipping on a lukewarm cup of coffee, I can't help but think about the sailors and marines deployed on US warships. The stories I've heard from their families have left me feeling uneasy, like the weight of the world is bearing down on me.
A mother's words echo in my mind: "My son signed up to serve his country. But why isn't his country serving him?" Her question resonates deeply with me, as it should with all Americans. The reality is that these sailors and marines are being pushed to their limits, both physically and mentally, without adequate support.
The USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft carrier with over 5,000 sailors and marines onboard, has been at sea for nearly nine months. Reports of multiple suicide attempts, including one sailor jumping off the ship, have surfaced. The conditions on board are dire – insufficient nourishment leading to weight loss, low-quality drinking water, and scarce mental health counseling.
When asked about these concerns, President Trump dismissively replied, "No, they're not." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed similar sentiments, stating that the reality onboard the Lincoln has been "completely misrepresented."
But I'm here to tell you that the families of these sailors and marines are not liars. They're telling the truth about the struggles their loved ones are facing. The sister of a Lincoln crew member spoke out about her brother's experience, describing the water as so bad that they had to remove the drinking containers. She also shared text messages from her brother, detailing the lack of mental health support and the dire situation on board.
Another family's story is just as heartbreaking. A mother, herself a naval veteran, showed me photos of her son before and after deployment. The difference is stark – her son has lost over 30 pounds in weight, his face gaunt and his arms thin. She spoke about the inadequate food and supplies, saying that something genuinely wrong has happened.
These families are not asking for much – just basic necessities like nutritious food, clean drinking water, and mental health support. They're fighting to protect their loved ones, who are fighting to protect our country.
As I finish my coffee and prepare to leave, I'm left thinking about the long-term consequences of inadequate supplies. Janessa Goldbeck, a Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Vet Voice Foundation, warned that there's "longer-term damage to the sailors and marines serving, and their families waiting for them at home." She's right – we can't keep extending deployments without destroying trust in our institution and its leaders.
The Tripoli mother summed it up best: "Our military deserve the best of the best. They're fighting for our country, and the government has a duty to provide them with the basics. If they're losing weight, that means you're starving them."
As I walk out of the coffee shop, I'm left feeling determined to tell the story of these sailors and marines – a story of struggle, sacrifice, and perseverance. It's time for us to take responsibility for serving those who serve us.
Written by: Boris Gulp | The Citizen Edition
“Life is like a box”