The power of community and of multidimensional connectedness cannot be overstated. It is healing in the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. It is good for all of us, witnesses to unspeakable tragedy. It inspires us to realize how precious our lives are, to realize that peace begins with us.

The heart and soul of military service is a sense of team, of community, and the love for and of one's buddies. They are also the royal road to healing the unseen injuries of war.

"Cheer up and think positive" is not the way forward. It takes the loving heart of community, skilled steady helping hands, and the courage to paddle, for us to experience real post-traumatic growth and to come back to life.

The epidemic of military and veteran suicides requires action on multiple levels. But our strongest ally in this fight is hidden in plain sight -- the most powerful motivator for service members and veterans -- their love for, and the love of, their buddies. We need to mobilize it immediately.

"It's true throughout history: there's always the belief that the next war will go much better than the last war."