Zero is best

Twenty-two vets take their lives every day—

That’s not a number, that’s names with a face.

Worn-out boots, folded flags,

Empty chairs and torn-up pasts.

Some served young, some came home old,

But every one of ‘em carried a load.

Some smiled wide, never made a sound,

Now they’re six feet under in our hometown .

One’s too damn many, that’s the truth,

If that was your brother or your sister too,

What the hell would you stand up and do?

Don’t wait ‘til they’re gone to say you care,

Be the call, be the ride, be the one who’s there.

We don’t need thoughts and we don’t need prayers—

We need action. Now. Everywhere.

Until that number’s zero, we don’t rest—

Every day it is zero is best.

I’ve seen tough men fall through the cracks,

Choked by silence, never comin’ back.

They don’t wear signs, they just disappear,

While the world scrolls on and forgets to hear.

You say you support the red, white, and blue?

Then prove it—do somethin’ real, not just what looks good on you.

Check in, show up, speak plain,

Be the reason someone stays.

One’s too damn many, don’t you see?

That one could be him, or her, or me.

Don’t just like a post and move along,

Pick up the phone, show up strong.

It ain’t politics, it’s life and death—

Every day it is zero is best.

It’s not weakness to cry, it’s not weak to break—

But it sure as hell is weak to look away.

We’re all we’ve got, so don’t forget—

This fight ain’t over yet.

One’s too damn many, let that sink in,

We ain’t winnin’ ‘til nobody gives in.

Don’t be a bystander, don’t be late—

There’s lives to save, so don’t wait.

‘Cause twenty-two a day is twenty-two too much—

And we can’t afford to lose one more to the hush.

So raise your voice, stand with the rest—

Every day it is zero is best.

One is too damn many… zero is best.