As we mark 249 years of freedom, Mission Roll Call reflects on the veterans, families, and communities who continue the fight for independence every day.
As the nation gathers for barbecues, fireworks, and patriotic celebrations, July 4 marks a checkpoint on a journey nearly two and a half centuries long. This year, we celebrate 249 years of American independence, just one year shy of the nation’s 250th anniversary. But freedom, as every veteran knows, isn’t just something we inherited—it’s something we continue to fight for, defend, and rebuild.
At Mission Roll Call, we see independence not only as a founding principle, but as a shared responsibility—one carried most directly by our veterans and military families.
From the Minutemen of 1776 to the service members of today, American freedom has always depended on ordinary people rising to meet extraordinary moments. But service doesn’t end with enlistment. It doesn’t even end with a homecoming.
For many veterans, the real battle begins after the uniform comes off—fighting for physical healing, mental well-being, stable housing, meaningful work, and a sense of purpose that comes from being part of something bigger.
That’s why we say: independence is a team effort.
It’s the veteran learning to navigate a new career after service.
It’s the caregiver who helps a loved one manage post-traumatic stress.
It’s the community that installs a ramp, offers a job, or shows up to listen.
It’s the network of support—both seen and unseen—that helps veterans reclaim their own freedom after fighting for ours.
These efforts are especially important as we look ahead to America’s 250th year. Milestones like this invite us to reflect not only on how far we’ve come, but on where we’re going, and who we may be leaving behind.
Today, more than 18 million veterans live in the United States, and nearly half are not connected to the VA or any veteran service organization. Many are navigating complex challenges alone. Rural veterans face geographic isolation and gaps in care. Others struggle with the invisible wounds of war. And too many are still fighting to be seen and heard, long after their last deployment.
At Mission Roll Call, we’re working to change that. Through nationwide polling, community outreach, veteran storytelling, and policy advocacy, we bring veteran voices directly to the people and places where change can happen. And that starts with you.
This Independence Day, let’s do more than celebrate freedom. Let’s honor it by supporting those who make it possible. Lend your voice through our open polls and surveys so we can continue to enact positive change and support those who need it most.
The fight for freedom didn’t end in 1776. It continues every day—across dinner tables, hospital rooms, town halls, and Capitol Hill. And together, we can carry it forward.
In June, we turned our focus to two groups who too often go unseen—underserved veterans in rural and minority communities, and those living with the effects of post-traumatic stress. Through storytelling, research, media outreach, and open polling, we continued our mission to elevate the voices of veterans, advocate for policy that meets their needs, and provide tools that support their well-being.
From local heroes rebuilding after disaster to national conversations about suicide prevention and access to care, we worked to ensure that no one who served is left behind.
Here’s what you might have missed:
Underserved Veterans and PTS Awareness in Focus
We shined a light on rural and minority veterans and their families, exploring the barriers they face and the work being done to close the gaps. From highlighting key facts about rural veteran populations to uplifting efforts like Operation Honor: Rural Salute, June’s features challenged us to pay closer attention to the communities that are often overlooked.
– Connecting Rural Veterans and Their Families Through Operation Honor: Rural Salute
– 6 Things You Might Not Know About Rural Veterans
– Veterans Are Speaking Clearly on the ACCESS Act. Congress Should Listen.
– The State of Veteran Post-Traumatic Stress
– How to Find Mental Health Care If You’re A Veteran – Even In A Rural Area
– 7 Everyday Ways to Support Veterans’ Mental Health
The Lasting Mission Podcast
In June, The Lasting Mission podcast wrapped up its two-part conversation on the opioid epidemic with Voices for Non-Opioid Choices. We also continued our coverage of veteran homelessness with Part 2 of Matthew Landis’ powerful story—from hitting rock bottom to rediscovering purpose and community.
Subscribe to The Lasting Mission on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform, and help us spread these critical conversations by sharing the podcast with others.
Mission Roll Call University (MRCU)
Our YouTube channel, Mission Roll Call University, continues to grow as a trusted resource for veterans and families. In June, we released a practical guide to locating VA facilities near you—an important step in connecting to care and support.
Watch, subscribe, and share to help us ensure veterans have access to the guidance and resources they need to thrive.
MRC Town Hall: Your Voice, Your Power
We hosted a live-streamed Veteran Town Hall, bringing together voices from across the country to talk about real veteran experiences and solutions. From policy gaps to personal stories, these conversations help guide our work—and remind us how powerful it is when veterans speak directly to one another and to leaders.
MRC in the Media: Real Stories, Real Impact
In June, our work was featured in national and local media outlets, amplifying veteran voices and advocating for smarter, more compassionate policy solutions. From thoughtful conversations around VA reform to spotlighting events like Hockey Heals 22, our media presence underscored our mission.
– Smart Budget Cuts at the VA Could Help Preserve Critical Services – The Hill
– 5th Annual Hockey 22 Event Raises Awareness for Veteran Suicide – FOX 13
– Veterans Play 22 Hours of Hockey for Suicide Awareness – NPR Affiliate
From the Blog: Stories That Matter
This month’s stories included a look at veteran-led disaster recovery efforts in the Palisades, a historical reflection on 250 years of military service, and a recap of a community hockey event that raises awareness for the veteran suicide crisis.
– Where the Flag Still Flies: Veterans Rebuild the Palisades
– Hockey Heals 22
– 250 Years of the Military
Speak Up: Participate in Our Open Polls
Your voice shapes our work. We’re actively gathering feedback on topics like VA care, suicide prevention, and rural veteran access. These surveys help us bring real-time concerns to lawmakers and leaders who can make a difference.
– Take Our Open Polls
– Participate in Our Veteran Suicide Survey
Looking Ahead: Independence Through Support and Access
In July, we’ll focus on veteran independence—honoring the strength and resilience of wounded veterans, caregivers, and those navigating life after service with courage and adaptability. We’ll explore how accessibility, autonomy, and practical support can help more veterans thrive on their own terms.
Stay tuned for new stories, new research, and new opportunities to connect.
If there is something we have learned about supporting our veterans, it is that mental health is one of the most complicated problems to tackle, especially for veterans in rural areas. VA reports have found that veterans are most vulnerable in the first three months following separation from military service, although suicide risk “remains elevated for years after the transition.” With this information, we can better support our veterans and their families to get them the assistance they need.
While veterans can access mental health care through a variety of channels, knowing what is available to them and gaining access are common hurdles for not just rural veterans but all veterans. Listed below are resources available to veterans looking for mental healthcare.
The two main mental health resources are the VA and the Veteran Crisis Line.
VA Mental Health Services
- VA mental health services are available to all veterans, regardless of their discharge status, and even if they don’t qualify for full VA benefits.
- The VA offers various mental health services, including individual and group therapy, medication management, and support groups.
- You can find a VA medical center or Vet Center near you through the VA.gov website.
Veterans Crisis Line (988, then press 1)
- This is a crucial resource for veterans experiencing a crisis or needing immediate support. It’s accessible 24/7, offering confidential counseling through phone, text, and online chat.
- If you or the veteran or service member in your life shows signs of crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line. In the United States, dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255.
- You can chat online with a VA responder from anywhere.
- If you are overseas, you can connect with the Veterans Crisis Line Chat. If you prefer a phone call, you can request this via chat. A crisis line responder will call the number you provide at no charge.
But if those are unavailable to you due to location or other reasons, here’s a list of other mental health resources you might not know about.
Boulder Crest is the home of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG). They offer life-changing programs free of charge to members of the military, veterans, and first responder communities, and their families.
America’s Warrior Partnership
America’s Warrior Partnership’s mission is to partner with communities to prevent veteran suicide. Their programs accomplish this by starting at the community level and understanding the unique situations of veterans and their families.
Avalon Action Alliance connects our nation’s veterans and first responders with life-changing programs. Their Alliance Partners offer a wide range of treatments, training and support tailored to the unique needs of our veterans and first responders.
Shields & Stripes provides a top-tier rehabilitation program for our military veterans and first responders.
Warrior Canine Connection utilizes a Mission Based Trauma Recovery model to help Warriors recovering from the stress of combat reconnect with their families, communities, and life. By interacting with the dogs as they move from puppyhood to training to adult service dogs, Warrior Trainers benefit from a physiological and psychological animal-human connection.
Wounded Warrior Project
Provides various mental health services, including individual and couples counseling, and PTSD and addiction treatment.
Military OneSource
Offers resources for veterans, including mental health information and a directory of services.
Mission Roll Call’s Veteran Resource Directory
Our comprehensive directory connects veterans and their families to organizations ready to help.
When it comes to the mental health of veterans and their families, we know there’s not one solution that fits all. But what we do know is that we need to be more proactive. Help exists for veterans and their families; they just need to know what is available to them. Share this article with a veteran – they might need it or know someone else who does.
Despite their service, rural veterans often face unique barriers to accessing the care and support they need after leaving the military. The first step toward supporting rural veterans is educating ourselves on the challenges they face.
Here are 6 Things You Might Not Know About Rural Veterans:
1. Rural veterans lack access to necessary healthcare
While there are 4.7 million veterans who live in rural areas, they each face their own unique barriers to accessing healthcare. Many rural veterans struggle to access necessary healthcare due to factors like geographic distance to VA facilities, transportation challenges, and limited internet access that hinders telehealth services.
2. Rural veterans face a higher risk of mental health challenges
Rural veterans are less likely to receive the mental health care they need compared to urban veterans. While mental health is a significant concern for all veterans and their families, due to their living environment, rural veterans are at a higher risk of mental health challenges like post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety.
3. Rural veterans are more likely to face economic disparities
Compared to their urban counterparts, rural veterans are more likely to have lower household incomes and experience higher rates of poverty, with more than half earning an annual income of less than $35,000. This can further compound their challenges in accessing essential resources like healthcare.
4. Rural veterans are in a position to have their well-being impacted by social isolation
The isolated nature of rural communities can lead to social isolation, impacting their mental health and overall well-being. Veterans die by suicide at 1.5 times the rate of their non‐veteran counterparts, with rural veterans at a 20%–22% greater risk of dying by suicide than urban veterans. Peer support and community engagement programs can help combat this, which leads us to our final point.
5. Rural veterans rely heavily on resources
The VA is a crucial resource to rural veterans, but they also rely heavily on community providers, veteran service organizations, and programs to meet their needs.
Mission Roll Call has identified and vetted many nonprofit organizations that work with these communities. For example, the Alaska Warrior Partnership™ (AKWP) is committed to improving veterans’ quality of life in the state of Alaska through the coordination of local services and opportunities. And Boulder Crest Foundation provides a free, first-class rural wellness retreat dedicated to helping America’s military members, veterans, and their families. For more resources and support, visit Mission Roll Call’s comprehensive Veteran Resource Directory.
6. Rural veterans are resilient, resourceful, and deeply connected to their communities
This isn’t just a list of challenges—rural veterans bring incredible strengths that deserve recognition. They embody grit, self-reliance, and a strong sense of duty, often serving as the backbone of their communities long after their time in uniform. With deep family roots and a commitment to service, they step up as mentors, leaders, and quiet helpers in times of need. These qualities not only make them vital to the fabric of rural America, but they also make them powerful voices in shaping the future of the broader veteran community.
Conclusion
Rural veterans make up an essential part of the American veteran population—yet too often, their stories are overlooked, and their needs go unmet. From barriers to healthcare and mental health services to economic hardship and geographic isolation, the challenges are real. But so is their strength.
As individuals, we can show support to rural veterans by educating ourselves on their unique needs and challenging harmful stereotypes or stigmas. We can also point veterans and their families to useful benefits, service organizations, social groups, and other resources.
To join us in advocating for rural veterans and ensuring their voices are heard, visit www.missionrollcall.org.
If you are a rural veteran, we want to hear from you through our open polls. Participating in our polls is crucial for Mission Roll Call’s advocacy efforts. Your input helps us understand the needs and concerns of the rural veteran community, guiding our actions and amplifying your voice in driving meaningful change.
It’s no secret that rural areas are appealing for veterans to choose to reside in. The draw to rural areas is simple – it is typically quiet, has a lower cost of living, and plenty of open space for recreation. Most rural communities are tight-knit, creating a sense of belonging, but have the room to retain a certain level of privacy if desired.
While rural living comes with many advantages, geographic isolation can make accessing healthcare and veteran-specific resources more difficult. If this affected only a handful of individuals, it might not warrant broader attention. But this is a significant veteran population that is too often overlooked. According to the Office of Rural Health, there are 2.7 million rural and highly rural veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Many rural Veterans enrolled in VA’s health care system are at an advanced age, with 54% being age 65 or older.
What makes a veteran rural?
To label a veteran as rural, the Department of Veterans Affairs uses the rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes system to define rurality. The RUCA codes system takes into account population density as well as how closely a community is linked socio-economically to larger urban centers.
Empowering Rural Veterans, Building Thriving Communities
Shedding a light on a large community of veterans who have limited access to resources and healthcare is something Operation Honor: Rural Salute (OHRS) doesn’t just believe in – they act on it with every gathering, event, and podcast they host.
OHRS was born out of personal experience and a deep commitment to serving those who have served us. Founders Michelle and Chris Lang, after Chris’s eight years of active duty in the Army, faced the challenges of civilian life head-on when they returned to their home state of Pennsylvania in 2019. Amidst the struggles of transitioning and health issues, they discovered a frustrating truth: while many resources existed to help veterans, they were often difficult to find, especially for those in rural areas.
Determined to change this, Michelle and Chris envisioned an organization that would not only connect veterans to the resources they needed but also build a community where they felt supported, valued, and empowered.
Reaching and Connecting Rural Veterans
OHRS provides rural veterans with an Interactive Map that helps connect them with other veterans close to their proximity to assist in building a sense of community. OHRS also hosts events to bring veterans together, with a focus on rural communities. Their most recent event was a two-day celebration filled with excitement, entertainment, and most importantly, support for the heroes who’ve served our country.
Check out their full list of resources: www.ohruralsalute.org/resources
Get Involved
Support should not depend on where someone resides. Nearly 25% of veterans live in rural America, and those veterans deserve access to basic healthcare and resources as much as the other 75%. While connection and raising awareness are key, donations and volunteering are just as helpful in making this group of veterans and their families feel supported.
This June, as we shine a light on rural veterans, we proudly stand with organizations like Operation Honor’s Rural Salute (OHRS), which provide vital support to these often-overlooked heroes every day. Amplifying the voices of rural veterans remains central to Mission Roll Call’s purpose, and partnerships with organizations like OHRS help bring that mission to life.
Learn more about OHRS and how you can support their work at www.ohruralsalute.org. To join us in advocating for rural veterans and ensuring their voices are heard, visit www.missionrollcall.org.