The WallBuilders Show Memorial Day Reflections: The Hidden Cost of Freedom -with General Bob Dees
This Memorial Day, we're joined by two-star General Bob Dees for a profound conversation about honoring the fallen while serving those still carrying the invisible wounds of war.
As we explore the distinction between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, we uncover something even more crucial – the "iceberg below the waterline" of veteran suffering that extends far beyond the names carved in memorial stones. When a self-described "Vietnam widow" explained that her husband "didn't die in Vietnam, but came home with an expiration date" before taking his own life, we're reminded that the toll of war continues long after combat ends.
General Dees shares the remarkable work happening at Healthy Veterans in Virginia, where a comprehensive nine-month program provides healing for veterans battling PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and moral injury. Through a combination of community support, dignified work, faith-based trauma recovery, emotional regulation training, and career preparation, veterans find new purpose on a beautiful 339-acre property complete with equine therapy and what the Japanese call "forest bathing." Just two weeks before our conversation, a veteran who had been driving 100 miles per hour looking for a tree to crash into found their facility instead – and is now on a path to recovery.
We also discuss the changing landscape of military leadership under the current administration, including the promising "Golden Dome" initiative that applies Israeli Iron Dome-like technology to protect American cities and strategic assets. Using advanced systems capable of "hitting a bullet with a bullet," this approach represents a new era in national defense.
Whether you've served in uniform, love someone who has, or simply want to better understand the true meaning of Memorial Day, this episode offers essential perspective on how we honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion – by caring for those still fighting battles within.
Do you have a story to share? Let us know and help spread the word about resources like healthyveterans.org that are saving lives every day.