An open letter to Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York

Dear Governor Cuomo,
I am writing to ask you to double the budget for the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Project.
I also ask that you expand the program to all counties and that you become a spokesman for it.
You have taken it entirely out of the budget.
I started my work with the Dwyer program here in Orange County five years ago. Here is what brought me to it:
On 25 November 1966, I raised my right hand and took an oath to give my life away - to family, friends, neighbors - to my country.
We cannot do anything more contradictory. My life is no longer my own. The President of the United States does not take such an oath. No one in Congress or the Courts takes such a oath.
I believe, whether we are aware of it consciously or not, we are forever changed by the words we swear by. Existentially changed. We have voluntarily given up what is absolutely most valuable.
In that giving, there is a wounding of the self, for others. This means service, service to others. That wound is a sacred wound. A love wound. It is held in the heart. It defends and supports life.
But, if and when that wound does not defend and support life, but is used for corrupt military or political or greedy reasons, the wound becomes infected and attacks the heart.
The Veterans Administration says 20 vets a day kill themselves. Maybe. Maybe it is 30 a day or 40, maybe even more.
We, as a nation, kill at least 20 veterans a day through suicide but how many more want to be dead but don't pull the trigger?
PFC Joseph P. Dwyer died of an overdose. I work with addicted vets. I've been there.
I work with the homeless, the hungry, the poor. I've been there.
The Dwyer program is not for those doing well.
My biggest fear is that my heart should ever shrink. The Dwyer program is how I grow my heart.
I am asking you to join me, Governor, not just that we grow our hearts but that we save vets from their broken hearts.
Please.
Thank you.
Everett Cox
Warwick