November 6, 2023
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Clay was a special young man. In 2005, at the age of 23 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He deployed to Iraq in 2007. While on patrol, Clay’s wrist was shot out from under his chin by an enemy sniper’s bullet. He recovered, but was diagnosed with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and began to have anxiety and panic attacks. He became a Scout Sniper and deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. Clay cherished his time in the Marines, his purpose in serving his country and the fellowship that was built with his band of brothers.
After Clay was honorably discharged from active duty in April, 2009, he began to reengage in civilian life while attempting to heal from his PTSD, survivor’s guilt and moral injury. He enrolled in Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles, and became involved in several veteran-related organizations including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). IAVA advocates in Washington, DC for veteran-related issues.
Clay found peace and healing in continuing to serve others. He was passionate about helping others like him who suffer from the invisible scars of battle-related trauma, and, like so many of our veterans, he continued to struggle. He relied upon the Veterans Administration for his health care and Susan and I became aware of the quality of care he was receiving. On March 31, 2011, the darkness and depression that he battled for so long overcame him. Clay took his life.
Several years later, Susan received a phone call from Paul Rieckhoff, a veteran and founder of IAVA. IAVA was helping push a bill through Congress that would address veterans’ suicide and healthcare issues faced by veterans. Paul said that they wanted to name the bill after Clay and asked Susan if that would be OK. And she said, “Sure!”
Soon we were having lunch with Paul and we said, “Please let us know if there’s any way we can help.”
A few weeks later, Paul called and asked, “Would y’all come to Washington and talk to some people about Clay and about what you’ve learned.
And we said, “Sure!”
At that time, the suicide rate among veterans was twenty-two lives per day. We were discouraged about the medical care our veterans were receiving. We went to Washington a number of times. We worked closely with the IAVA team – all veterans, men and women from all branches of the armed services – some of the finest people we have ever known. Susan testified before Congress about Clay and his experience with the Veterans Administration. We met with the senators and representatives who would be voting on the bill in hope that the bill would pass and be signed into law by the President. We were interviewed on television news shows. I watched as Susan, through the power of the Holy Spirit, spoke truthfully about Clay and the problems so many veterans face.
The SAV Act was a bipartisan effort, so most of the normal political shenanigans were absent. The Act passed unanimously and on February 12, 2015, the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans (SAV) Act was signed into law by President Obama. The SAV Act helps reduce military and veteran suicides and improves access to quality mental health care. It strengthens oversight of military mental health care programs; and improves suicide prevention training for Veterans Health Administration and Department of Defense employees.
We have seen positive change in the way our veterans are treated.
Like Clay, all of our veterans are special men and women. They unselfishly and without regard to personal risk, offer their lives to protect the United States of America.
George Washington said, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive how the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.” We pray this generation of veterans will know they are deeply valued.
Clay’s story is part of Susan’s and my story. God is using Clay’s story and IAVA to His glory. Thank God that He has taken a terrible tragedy and shown us how Clay’s memory and legacy are being used by Him to impact so many.
Through our involvement with IAVA, God has used Susan and me to help others and, in so doing, has helped us to heal a little more each day.
We thank the Lord for IAVA – a force for good in the world.
For the rest of our lives, we will do all we can do to help our veterans.
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, God bless our warriors, veterans and the United States of America!
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude for those who serve selflessly. We lift up Your precious children who bear the wounds of trauma. May they find peace and healing through Your grace.
Thank You, Lord, for turning tragedy into testimony, for bringing beauty from ashes, and for using all things for Your glory. May we trust in Your plans and follow where You lead, knowing that You are always with us.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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