United States veterans, perhaps the most honorable and brave individuals of our society, are suffering. Since 2001, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorders have affected nearly 1 out of every 3 military personnel deployed to war zones. 30% of our nation’s first responders are also dealing with depression and post-traumatic stress. Each day, 20 servicemen and women commit suicide.

In an era of prioritizing mental health in our society, these horrifying statistics are often a subject we don’t hear about from the mainstream media.

As a veteran myself, I’ve seen first-hand the unimaginable sacrifices our men and women in uniform have faced abroad and at home. It’s no surprise that they need our help. This is precisely why two prominent businessmen have recently chosen to shed light on this devastating reality.

Philanthropists and co-founders of The Home Depot, Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank, have partnered with The Gary Sinise Foundation to launch The Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network to provide assistance for military veterans, first responders, and their families who suffer from post-traumatic stress, TBI, and substance abuse.

Bernie Marcus, The Home Depot’s first CEO and chairman, retired from his position in 2002. Moved by his desire to give, he founded the Marcus Foundation. Since 2009, Mr. Marcus has generously donated his time and hundreds of millions of dollars to organizations like Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Shepherd Center, and even Turning Point USA.

Together, he and Home Depot co-founder/Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, a prominent supporter of veterans through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, have committed $40 MILLION to veteran mental health.

Their generous contribution will open more than 20 new mental health treatment centers across our nation to combat the “invisible wounds” our veterans face every single day. By taking these steps, they hope to serve 10,000 servicemen and women annually within the first five years to help them overcome trauma and bring the relief they desperately need.

To Mr. Marcus and Mr. Blank, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU for giving back to a community that is often overlooked and deserving of our support.

THANK YOU for remembering the sacrifices of those who served.

It’s not often that veterans are recognized for their unmatched willingness to leave their families, comforts of home, and life as they know it to serve our great nation. Because of YOUR funding, veterans like myself now have hope.

Although we live in an age where people define heroism by burning small businesses, destroying our flag, and rejecting our country’s fundamental values, my faith in the DNA of our country has been restored because of generous patriots like yourselves.

THANK YOU for being an example of what modern patriotism ACTUALLY looks like.

THIS is the patriotism that I fought for.

THIS is the patriotism that my brothers and sisters died for.

This goes to show that it doesn’t take serving in the military to be a patriot.

It only takes ONE THING:

COURAGE.

Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank have bravely exhibited the courage needed to STAND UP for a community that few influential businessmen and women will go to bat for these days.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you need to find a role model, look no further than these two men.

They are SAVING LIVES by taking care of and giving back to those who have put EVERYTHING on the line for them.

Again, Mr. Blank and Mr. Marcus, the military community and I THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.