Take time today to appreciate what our veterans have done for us.

Now think about how little we do for them.

Far too often we forget our ongoing efforts overseas. We lose connection with the fact that the soldiers serving are people who have families back home, and instead they just become a statistic.

Recently, both wars the U.S. is fighting have been overshadowed by politics and bickering about the nuances of health care. Meanwhile, President Obama has yet to finalize a plan of action in Afghanistan, which presents a quickly deteriorating situation.

But the real tragedy occurs when soldiers return. As many as one in five returning from Iraq or Afghanistan have post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and only half of those seek treatment.

When considering the erratic and demanding lifestyles these service men and women endure every day, it would not come as a surprise if that number wasn’t higher.

More recent studies also point to the frequency of Traumatic Brain Injuries, or TBIs. These are similar to what many professional football players endure over their careers.

Some soldiers are exposed to these “mini concussions” multiple times during their tour, eventually adding up to significant neurological problems, like memory loss and confusion.

Scientists believe that TBIs affect the same part of the brain that post-traumatic stress disorders do. Together, they can lead to depression, insomnia and anxiety problems.

With a troop “surge” becoming a distinct possibility, we need to ensure there are programs in place to help soldiers deal with PTSD and TBIs once they return home.

The immense weight put upon these men and women is more than most citizens could imagine. Combine that with the fear of peer perceptions, and you have a recipe for a generation of maladjusted veterans.

Recovery programs are starting to make progress, but there is much more we can do. These programs need to better emphasize the acceptance of soldiers who seek help.

Our armed forces are trained to have a mindset of being self-sufficient. And this mindset certainly benefits them in combat.

But it hurts them later when many of them must deal with PTSD of TBIs.

We should instead encourage them to actively seek help whenever they need it.

And military programs aimed at reducing the occurrence of PTSD should be more comprehensive. A simple six-week program will not suffice.

The military should monitor veterans well after their service has concluded.

The recent shootings at Fort Hood, Texas also illustrate the need for pre-deployment programs that emphasize the seriousness of PTSD. Too many people shrug it off as something that is “just in one’s head.” Even more fail to recognize the symptoms.

Educational programs before leaving for combat could help curb the cases upon return. From many accounts Major Nidal Hasan, the alleged shooter at Fort Hood, was under intense stress in anticipation of his upcoming deployment.

Although a complete investigation will be needed, pre-deployment programs may have prevented Hasan’s actions.

Rather than engage in fickle partisan politics, lawmakers need to recognize the imminent needs of thousands of veterans. Regardless of whether or not they support our current wars, they should support the troops returning home.

It’s a shame that Veteran’s Day is only once a year because our forces serve year round.