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AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Vet Center said it saw an increase in calls from Afghanistan war veterans as the Taliban’s grip tightened. “It’s anecdotal, but we’ve certainly seen an increase in calls from our Afghan veterinarians,” said Director Jane Olien. She said the news sparked veterans of other wars as well. “The Vietnam vets talk about what they see and how they feel compared to what they felt 50 years ago; the sadness, the loss, the feeling of anger – all the feelings that are normal, ”she said. That resonates with Austin Talley, who usually enjoys being Operations Director of Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot. “I created a cultural center and that is my path to happiness,” he said. “And when other people, customers, join in and have as much fun as I do, then I feel like I’ll win no matter what.” But he said this week was tough. “We break down almost three times and weep about three times,” said Talley, who served in the US armed forces for 18 years – eight years in Afghanistan. “You know that war is a matter of seconds. You’re a second too slow, you’re killed. You’re a second too fast, you’re killed. You’re an inch to your right, you’re killed, you’re an inch to your left, you’re killed, ”Talley said. “Why did I – why was I spared?” His sadness turned to anger. “The sacrifice is not to put your name on the dashed line, to be ready to die to defend your nation,” Talley said. “The victim misses out on everyday life.” Talley said he lost relationships with friends, family and even his marriage while trying to reintegrate into civil society. “You lost 43 friends in the process. And then turn on the TV and watch it all go away, ”Talley said. He said he has now managed to turn that anger into motivation. He uses his international contacts to help Americans and allies in Afghanistan find safe havens. “And I’m fatal when I’m motivated. Just like my veterans, you give us a purpose, you give us a mission, you give us a task, we will fulfill it at all costs, ”he said. Talley also posted on his Facebook page how civilians can help. Olien said it was important for people to check on veterans they know. “There aren’t enough VA staff, there aren’t enough advisors to contact every Afghan vet, Iraq vet, or Vietnam vet,” she said. “So we really have to build this support system in the community.” She said the biggest message right now is validation. “What you did, what you gave for this country … it wasn’t for nothing,” said Olien. “It is very valid and we are here to support that.” The VA’s annual report found that veteran suicides were one and a half times that of the general population. Earlier this summer, Brown University’s Costs of War Project released a report indicating that the rate was conservative. It is estimated that more than 30,000 Global War on Terrorism veterans have died of suicide. That would be more than four times the number of those who died during the mission. They said it was higher than the military’s own persecution.
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