The War at Home: Oklahoma Veteran's lack of mental health resources
After 20 years in the military, Cale Grauberger was medically discharged, but his service did not end there.
Grauberger and his team of fellow veterans install flagpoles and American flags in the yards of veterans across the state of Oklahoma and surrounding states. National Veterans Flagpoles United revives the once dull yards of forgotten veterans and brings it back to life with the help of the vibrant red, white and blue American flag.
For the Oklahoma veterans Gruaberger has served, the dullness of their once barren yards crept into their home and into their minds as time passed. Fireworks sparked memories of explosions and memories of war haunted their dreams. Unrecognized heroism and unwelcoming homecomings enforced a sense of doubt into some veterans.
From 2015 to 2019, there were 683 veteran suicides in Oklahoma, according to the CDC National Violent Death Reporting System.
Vice President of National Veterans Flagpoles United
Roy Powell hoists American Flag in Veterans Lawn. Jaycee Hampton
“We lose 22 veterans a day to suicide,” Grauberger said. “And in November, we're going to do 22 poles in one day, just to remember the 22 veterans that commit suicide every day.”
Graubergers organization formed a tight-knit bond between local veterans who share memories and experiences no one else understands. He said he encourages the veterans around him and those he served to call him at any time of day if they need a shoulder to cry on or a friend to talk to.
“Just reach out to the veterans, show them some love and let them know that there is always somebody there to talk to."
- Cale Grauberger
Chris Jones, a veteran who lives in Enid, Oklahoma, was surprised with flagpole installation from the organization for his 50th birthday.
Cale Grauberger congratulates Vietnam veteran Victor Jackson.
Jaycee Hampton
“Anytime that you're relaying a story or sharing a story with (someone), like I said, there's that commonality between vets that again, other people just don't understand,” Jones said. “It's kind of like, I can tell you how pretty Alaska is, but until you go see it, you don't get it.”
Grauberger said he “gets it.” As he sets foot on each veteran’s lawn, digs a hole for the flagpole and says a prayer, his own experiences in the military are fresh in his mind. Grauberger said if it was up to him, he would still be in the military.
National Veterans Flagpoles United is how Grauberger continues his service, and he considers it to be an outlet for his mental health. After years without recognition, Grauberger wants to honor the importance of veterans’ work.
Vietnam veteran, Victor Jackson, never received a proper homecoming.
Victor Jackson salutes his newly planted flag.
Jaycee Hampton
“They would throw fishies at us, throw trash at us, called names, it was not a very good welcome.” - Victor Jackson
Disregarded and shamed by his fellow Americans, Jackson longed to feel appreciated and welcomed home.
Immediately after returning home to this negative environment, Jackson said he never would’ve had the American flag outside of his house. Grauberger’s flag pole volunteers work hard to fashion a different narrative by creating a positive experience for these veterans. Turning the American flag into a symbol of pride instead of pain.
The flag poles installed, standing tall and waving high, is a symbol of recognition and honor to veterans like Jackson. Grauberger wants to show these veterans that himself and his fellow volunteers haven’t forgotten their service to their country and they never will.
The battle at home also extends to their loved ones. Jones's wife, Becky, says that there are big challenges that come with being in a military marriage. Spouses have to adapt to moving constantly, learning how to be a solo parent and making household decisions without their significant other being near them.
National Veterans Flagpoles stands proudly with Vietnam veteran
Victor Jackson's flagpole. Jaycee Hampton
“Being a military spouse is not for the weak at heart, “ Becky Jones said. “You definitely need to have a network of people that you can rely on.”
Grauberger and his team take time out of their days, lives and weeks to show up for one another to help install the flag poles. They take this initiative because only they know the true magnitude of the challenges they face every day.
“And, you know, we can relate with each other in a way that civilians can't necessarily,” said Jones.
Having a community such as Grauberger’s, which is committed and unified to bringing attention to veteran’s mental health, is a powerful step forward in raising awareness.
Granuberger said getting to see a proud smile on the veterans’ face when installing a flag pole is everything. The faint shades of red, white and blue gleaming in the sunlight over each veteran’s face reminds him that, “I’m an American,” Grauberg said.
Roy Powell, a veteran who lives in Enid, is the vice president of National Veterans Flagpoles United. Powell and Grauberger started the group together and Powell said their idea has flourished into something phenomenal.
Drilling Equipment used to mount new flag poles.
Jaycee Hampton
“It means a lot to give back to my fellow brothers and sisters,” Powell said.
Powell started in the military in 2003 and spent eight years at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. During that period, he was deployed to Afghanistan three times, and there, his life was changed forever.
The first time he was deployed, Powell said he did not know what to expect. His family travel from Enid to Kentucky to wish him good luck. Powell said leaving for the first time was challenging because he did not know what to expect.
“They say that it could get better (after the first time),” Powell said. “But it doesn’t. My wife actually says it gets harder.”
Once he was back from deployment, transitioning into what is considered a ‘normal’ lifestyle was hard for Powell. The first months at home were away from his military career but once he stepped back into his role, all the emotions and memories from the deployment rolled back while he prepared to leave for another year. With more deployments, came more mental struggles, and Powell would only face them years after retiring.
On his last deployment, Powell lost six of his friends in the unit he was working in Afghanistan. He came back to the U.S. with a lot of hatred and regret, and for years, he had anger issues that were never addressed.
“It’s like you get tunnel vision,” Powell said. “You don’t see it but people around you do and it just takes something to trigger you.”
In 2016, after several episodes of PTSD, something triggered Powell, and he got lost in the tunel. But this time, he saw a light. Powell said he realized it was time to reach out for help and find someone to talk about what he had seen while deployed. Powell said he realized hiding what he went through would keep him back from living in a normal life.
Before finding help, Powell said PTSD was a stigma. Veterans who were diagnosed with it were talked down on and seen as mentally ill.
“Nobody wanted to say and bring out all their problems of PTSD, and I was one of them." - Roy Powell
Powell said he is confident the stigma around PTSD is changing and veterans are realizing they can reach out for help. Powell said even though there are resources for veterans in Oklahoma, it is hard to get veterans to open up and talk about their experiences.
“I mean, even going on a walk with somebody that you can relate with and if you need to talk, open up,” Powell said. “Don’t hold it in. You need to release and get all of it out, And that’s where it needs to start.”
Luísa Clausen
Curitiba, Brazil
Bella Casey
Jones, Oklahoma
Emma Haley
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Jaycee Hampton
Owasso, Oklahoma
Payton Little
Ponca City, Oklahoma
