Marine Corps veteran, Mr. Evan Eldridge, was home sick from school watching the 2003 invasion of Iraq and felt like he was missing out on something that would shape his generation. Not only did that change his immediate plans for college, but it changed his whole life.

Over the next decade, Evan would have jobs in the Corps that he hated and jobs that he loved. He would deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as a little jaunt to Ghana. Many of his goals and ambitions went unrealized, but after meeting his wife, starting a family, and finally getting the job he wanted most, Evan knew he was exactly where he was meant to be.

By the time he chose to leave the Marines, Evan was already struggling with mental health and substance abuse. His struggles persisted through several different jobs after service, and the road to recovery isn't easy, but faith, family, and becoming The Veritable Veteran has kept Evan moving forward, and his desire to serve others hasn't diminished one bit.

In the Free Fire Area, we give our thoughts on the recent passing of an American icon and then discuss some of the dumbest and most useless inventions ever. Pet rocks? New Coke? Who comes up with this stuff?

Theme song by The Mountain via Pixabay.

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The VA's Suicide Data Report was released back in 2012 and was instrumental in raising awareness of the epidemic plaguing service members and veterans, but it's been more than a decade and the issue persists. We're all aware of the problem, but why hasn't anything gotten better?

We asked the President of America's Warrior Partnership and Air Force veteran, Mr. Jim Lorraine, to return for this Quick Hit so we could get some answers. Jim and AWP have put an exhausting amount of time and energy into trying to help veterans in crisis, so we asked him to share some of the most recent data concerning veteran suicide.

How accurate is the "22-a-day" number? What kinds of veterans are at risk? Why is it so difficult to get real data? So many important questions for Suicide Awareness Month, and Jim has the information and data that will really open your eyes!

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Rashon Walker wanted to play college football at Louisiana State University, but when an offer didn't arrive, he chose to serve his country like many other members of his family. Enlisting in the Army as a Logistics Manager, Rashon was given the guidance and mentorship he hadn't received elsewhere.

His leadership qualities developed, and they would be sorely needed in the years ahead. A last-minute deployment to Poland at the outset of the Russia-Ukraine War, feeling abandoned when the deployment was extended, mental health struggles after coming home, and the ending of a serious relationship would test him all the way through his time in uniform. After finding his faith, however, Rashon has continued to move forward and has a well-lit path in front of him.

In the Free Fire Arena, Dan and Roger discuss a few American veterans of the past that they would love to speak with today and a few international ones as well (don't worry, none of them are French).

Theme song by The Mountain via Pixabay.

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