WE NEVER LEAVE A WINGMAN BEHIND
There is no single cause for suicide.
But, we know that when someone is suffering, pain is pushing the limits of coping. We have hope to share, love to give, and our mission is to extend every resource available to us to assist every veteran who needs us.
Our best. Our bravest. Our most valiant. Our most courageous. Those with the greatest heart don’t face what is asked of them without fear, without consequence, without paying for their commitment for the rest of their lives.
We, some of us civilians, some also veterans, we are so fortunate to go about our lives because we are free. We have had our rights protected, defended, the opportunity to pursue our dreams ensured through the actions of men and women whose lives are forever changed by offering to do what our country asked of them.
These men and women we may never know: they are husbands, wives, mothers, daughters, sons, fathers, sisters and brothers, and friends.
Some come home. Some don’t. Some come home seemingly whole
So many come back with a hole we can’t see. That hole, that may be the only thing they see.
For the lives of those we love, those we love without ever having had a chance to know their names, we mourn.
Yet still, there are those incredible people who are here with us. We cannot push aside the reality that hearts, spirits, minds are very often the casualties that return home to civilian life, seemingly intact but invisibly bruised, battered, broken, unable to enjoy the lives they too deserve. TOPGUN Fighter Foundation is dropping the ladder down.
Veterans are suffering in silence. Veterans are crying out in voices misunderstood by those around them. TOPGUN Fighter Foundation is listening, dedicated to helping break free from yesterday, to step into today for a better chance at tomorrow.
52,000 service members have been physically wounded in the current conflicts and it is estimated that as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war, including combat stress, traumatic brain injury, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
There are more than 2 million women veterans in the United States today, and women veterans are the nation’s fastest-growing veteran population. Female veterans are 1.8 times more likely to commit suicide post-military than civilian females.
Close to 20% of those veterans who served in operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom have admitted to symptoms of PTSD each year. Some of our youngest veterans are no older than 19 years old.
We believe success is possible for each and every one of our veterans. Success comes in many forms, career, physical fitness, emotional well-being, and stability in family life and a rightful place in our community.
We are so proud to offer programs that will make a difference and some are outlined below:
- Job preparedness skills: including practical tools and training such as interview, job search, resume and cover letter writing assistance, personal grooming and presentation, an entire interview business suit, from shoes to shirt and tie.
- Workshops and seminars with industry leaders designed to help with providing the training manual to success here at home
- Access to networking events
- Job placement services with pre-qualified employers and veteran candidates
- Assistance and roadmap to dealing with the complex, frustrating and life and death issues regarding the VA
- Individual alliances with organizations such as Paws4You, an 11-year-old nonprofit dedicated to rescuing dogs and placing them with the right homes Opportunities to volunteer at the rescue, work with dogs, dog-walking, fostering and adoption of special, loving and lonely dogs looking for that special companion and family.
- Immediate access to resources such as therapy, counseling, strategies, and assistance with applications for vocational training, continuing education and finding the right path to both personal and professional success
- Outreach, support, and referral for alcohol and substance abuse
- Dedicated 24-hour hotline for emotional support