Most veterans in our group are silent because of the suffering. They can't talk. They don't want to talk. They're afraid to talk. Then you get a message in the middle of the night, “Hey, do you have a minute?” I always have a minute at 3 a.m., always. This is when we do our talking and our business. This is when we're helping. “Diane, I've heard you say this for so many years. I'm finally coming forward because I need help.” It takes a long time.
I was at the CIMVHR forum last week on Monday. I didn't pay to get in. I got in there just by going up the elevator. Folks, act like you belong. I went through and I handed out about 70 of my business cards. SMSRC was there. Atlas was there. Veterans Affairs was there. They all had booths.
At nine o'clock the next morning, when I checked my email, I had nine emails, “I got your business card. I was raped in the military. I'm finally coming out. I need help. What do I do?” “I am here for you, sister. I am here. Listen, I am here. Talk to me.”