Ketchum's Got Your Six / Ketchum's RIDE

06/02/2026

June is PTS(D) Awareness Month.

While post-traumatic stress does not solely affect veterans, veterans are statistically more likely than the general public to suffer the effects of PTS(D), with a documented 6% of male veterans and 13% of female veterans experiencing it in their lifetimes (though actual numbers may be substantially higher, as many of those who struggle with post-traumatic stress do not seek diagnosis or treatment). The number of veterans diagnosed with PTS(D) is higher among those who've served in recent conflicts (for example, up to 29% of Iraqi Freedom veterans) than those who served nearly a century ago (3% of WWII and Korean War veterans) but it is important to remember that what we now know as PTS(D) was known by a number of other names in the past: "Shell Shock," "Battle Fatigue," "Soldier's Heart," "Combat Stress Reaction" and even the misleading "Nostalgia."

“Asking for support is not waving a white flag, it is a tactical decision to stay in the fight for your family, your future and your life,” said VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore.

As a VFW Auxiliary members, you can help by knowing the signs, memorizing the Veterans Crisis Line number and sharing resources with those in need. Use the linked articles below to get started.

The VFW is shining a spotlight on PTS(D) this June. Read their article here: https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2026/6/vfw-highlights-importance-of-mental-health-this-national-ptsd-awareness-month

The VA shares the basics of PTS(D), including signs:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/ptsd_basics.asp

The VA also has linked resources for those who need help:
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

For those having suicidal thoughts or feelings, or feelings of hopelessness, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7.
Just dial 988, then press 1.

For a brief history on the usage of PTSD versus older terms like shell shock, see this History Channel article:
https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-ptsd-and-shell-shock

05/29/2026

Green Star Families was not created in a boardroom.
It was created through heartbreak, loss, and witnessing the painful reality that too many families impacted by veteran su***de felt invisible.

Founder Matt Cahill experienced this personally through the loss of family, service members he served beside, including Green Beret Andrew McCaffrey, whose loss deeply impacted those around him and the military community.

But what stayed with Matt just as much as the loss itself… were the families left behind.

The wives crying because they no longer felt they belonged anywhere. The mothers searching for understanding.
The children trying to make sense of unimaginable grief. The families carrying the weight of loss quietly and often alone.

Many did not feel seen.
Many did not know where they fit.
And too often, they felt forgotten.

That is where Green Star Families began in 2021.

Not for attention.
Not for ownership.
But because these families deserved to be acknowledged, supported, and honored too.

These families do not need another “fix all” program.
They need understanding.
They need recognition.
And they deserve to know where they belong within the long-standing tradition of honoring military families.

From the beginning, our mission has remained focused on compassionate awareness, education, and national recognition efforts surrounding the proposed Green Star Banner for Veterans —modeled after the long-standing tradition of service banners honoring military families.

We believe this mission should always be approached with integrity, honesty, transparency, compassion, and respect for the families carrying this grief every single day.

Since 2021, Green Star Families has continued working to:
• Share the stories of surviving families
• Advocate for respectful national recognition
• Support awareness surrounding veteran su***de loss
• Work alongside legislators, veterans, families, and supporters nationwide

At the heart of this mission are the families left behind.

No family should feel invisible.

05/28/2026

At Green Star Families, our mission is not political. 🇺🇸

It is personal.

Veteran su***de impacts families across every political party, race, religion, state, and background.

Grief does not care who someone voted for.
And recognition for these families should never become partisan.

We believe honoring military families should unite Americans — not divide them.

Our focus remains where it belongs:
💚 Awareness
💚 Recognition
💚 Support
💚 Advocacy for families left behind

No family should feel invisible.

05/27/2026

05/24/2026

Remember them 🇺🇸❤️💔

05/21/2026

Many people are familiar with the Blue Star and Gold Star traditions, but questions often arise about the meaning and history behind military family service banners. 🇺🇸

💙 **Blue Star Service Banner**
The Blue Star Service Banner tradition began during World War I and represents a family with a loved one currently serving in the Armed Forces.

💛 **Gold Star Service Banner**
Traditionally, if a service member dies while serving our nation, the blue star is replaced with a gold star. Gold Star Families have long been recognized as families who have experienced the loss of a loved one in military service.

💚 **Green Star Families®**
Green Star Families of America was created to bring visibility, education, and recognition to the families left behind after a veteran dies by su***de. Support for H.R. 6022, the Green Star Veterans Service Act, seeks formal recognition of these families and their sacrifices.

You may also hear references to White Star, Silver Star, and other names. Some are used by organizations, awareness efforts, or specific causes, but not all are federally recognized military family service banner traditions.

We deeply respect and honor the long-standing Blue Star and Gold Star traditions and the families they represent. Green Star recognition is intended to build upon that legacy by bringing visibility to families impacted by veteran su***de whose experiences have often remained unseen.

Different stories. Shared sacrifice. Every family matters. 💚

Learn more at GreenStarFamilies.org

05/15/2026

Credit: Global Mental Health Connect

05/14/2026

05/13/2026

12/10/2025

We were excited to attend the Baraboo American Legion Post 26 meeting on Monday. The Legion designed and sponsored a calendar, Vets For Pets, and generously donated the proceeds to Ketchum’s Got Your Six, Inc. A heartfelt thank you to the Legion and its members for empowering Ketchum’s to continue advancing its mission, supporting our veterans, and raising awareness about the issues they face.