FAYETTEVILLE, NC –Representative Larry Kissell (NC-08) recently met with Bill Speight and Steve Rylander of Patriot Outreach, a non-profit organization that advocates for care of soldiers, veterans and retirees who have suffered stressful or traumatic experiences during their service to our nation. The group works to help those soldiers and their families cope with the effects, as well as raising awareness for mental and physical health issues of those who serve or have served.

“With more than 100,000 veterans and active duty military members at home in our district, I am dedicated to doing everything I can to serve those who have so proudly served our country,” Kissell said. “I’ll continue to work to raise awareness about the mental health of our returning heroes, and do all I can to ensure that we make every effort to provide appropriate assistance to those in need. I was honored to sit down with Bill and Steve and discuss their work on behalf of Patriot Outreach.”

Kissell serves as Co-Chair of the bipartisan Invisible Wounds Caucus, a group of Congressional members focused on supporting and protecting veterans and active duty troops who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Traumatic Brain Injuries, wounds that are not always visible upon return from combat. Kissell also serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where he advocates for the care of American veterans and active duty members of the Armed Forces.

“I was thrilled to hear that Congressman Kissell is Co-Chair of the Invisible Wounds Caucus,” said Rylander, who serves on the Patriot Outreach Board of Directors. “Patriot Outreach provides confidential resources, such as coping strategies, for those who are afraid to come forward for fear of jeopardizing their career. One of our primary concerns is the rate of service member suicides. I’m thrilled to know that Rep. Kissell and other Members of Congress recognize this need and are dedicated to raising awareness to help those who have suffered silently.”

“These men and women sacrifice so much to preserve and protect our freedom,” Kissell said. “We owe it to the service members and their families to do absolutely everything we can to stand by them and support them.”

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Photo Attached: Representative Larry Kissell met with Mr. Bill Speight of Hope Mills and Mr. Steve Rylander of Fayetteville to discuss support for Patriot Outreach, a non-profit program for veterans.