COLUMBUS, Ohio — Multiple Ohio leaders gave a show of support for the U.S. servicemen and women during a difficult time after a deadly attack at an airport in Afghanistan last week left 13 dead, including one Ohioan.
On Monday, state government leaders and military leaders and veterans shared a message for those who serve that they are not alone.
"It's been a tough couple weeks, a tough couple weeks," said state Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, R-Perrysburg.
Ghanbari got choked up talking about what he and others have seen unfold in Afghanistan during a news conference Monday at the Vern Riffe Center. Ghanbari enlisted in the Army when he was 17 years old in 1999 and served in Bosnia in 2001 and 2002. He also volunteered to go to Afghanistan.
.@HarazGhanbari tearing up as he prays for service members to come home safe. @SpectrumNews1OH pic.twitter.com/HUgqaSIqFN
— Josh Rultenberg (@JoshRultNews) August 30, 2021
"I just ask all Ohioans and everyone around the country that you take a moment and you pray for our servicemen and women that they all come back safe," Ghanbari said.
Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, and others took a moment of silence for the lives lost last Thursday. Navy Corpsman Max Soviak, 22, from Berlin Heights was among those killed.
Officials also recognized how the attack might trigger memories of veterans who served and let them know their service mattered.
"You, by going to Afghanistan or going to Iraq, other places in the world, you protected the homeland. You protected all of us and we will always be extremely grateful for that," said DeWine.
DeWine and others also pointed out where past and present service members can go to get help if they need it, including the OhioCares website, where veterans and mental health services can be found in local communities, the Ohio CareLine, a 24/7 toll-free emotional support call service created by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Veterans Crisis Line and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
"We want to make sure that the wellness education materials and resources that any family needs for your veterans or active military are available to you. And we will continue to pursue this relationship with our local community members as a top priority," said Lori Criss, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director.
The state is also in the midst of a pilot program, giving $25,000 grants to eight community organizations who serve veterans across the state to close gaps in services.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who received the Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Special Forces as a Green Beret in Iraq, said a lot of veterans have wounds that cannot be seen when they come home.
LaRose said they need to be tended to just like a physical wound.
"There was this old mentality that permeated the military for far too long of our men and women in uniform are tough. And sometimes, they got confused about thinking that toughness meant that they could just take care of it themselves. Well, we've learned better," said LaRose.
And as the last troops make their way home, Ghanbari said he knows they will need all the love and support they can be given.
"May God bless our troops at home and overseas,” said Ghanbari. “Thank you.”