Seeks support for event aiding veterans

We are writing because we want people to notice how our government doesn’t support our veterans.

Veterans can have PTSD and some of them are homeless. Some of them have medical issues and are suicidal. Almost half of the 2.2 million troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan report difficulties on their return home. Overall, 300,000 veterans have died while waiting for medical care, and that shouldn’t be happening.

To raise money for our veterans, we are running in the “OORAH” Devil Dog Run/Walk in Holyoke on Sept. 3. This 5k is set up by the Mathew J. Vieu Memorial Fund, which was started to support veterans like Vieu, who did two tours in Iraq, and came home with internal wounds that others couldn’t see.

We are asking everyone who can to support our veterans by running with us in the 5k. If you can’t make it, you can also write letters to your representatives or participate in other fundraisers. I really believe we can make a change in the lives of our veterans.

Alberto Nasir Archeval
and Johnathan Holmes

South Hadley

The writers are eighth-grade students at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School.

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