In 2016, an estimated 107,400 veterans were incarcerated in the U.S. (Maruschak et al., 2021).

Something we hear pretty regularly is:
“Why would anyone adopt a criminal? Adopt a veteran instead.”
Our answer to that is:
Please do.
There are many veterans on our waiting list.

Memorial Day honors those who died in uniform, but not those who returned home broken.
When mental health care, trauma recovery, housing, and employment are treated like luxuries, veterans end up in the one place America is still willing to invest in: a prison.

This week, we’re sharing letters sent to us from veterans who are still living. Behind bars.
Not to erase what they’ve done, but to confront what this country has failed to do.

Today’s letter comes from Kenneth:

Before prison, I was a teacher, disabled veteran, author, and business owner. At present, I am not allowed to be any of those.
I have been locked up and treated like an animal.
I joined the Army at 17 and served 11 years. I was medically retired with service-connected disabilities.
Now I spend my time hoping someone will remember I’m alive.
I just need a human to know I’m not dead.*

What do you even say after that?

This Memorial Day, don’t just lay a wreath.
Write a letter.
Adopt a veteran.
Be the connection our country forgot to keep.

*The veteran who shared these words is currently on our waiting list and could really use a friend. If you’d like to get connected, or just send a note of encouragement, reach out and mention his name. We’ll take it from there.