CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - As nearly 2,000 Iowa Army National Guard members prepare for a year-long deployment to the Middle East, the founder of a group that assists veterans emphasizes the importance of supporting their mental health upon return.

President of “Salute to the Fallen”, John Thompson, said the number of veterans they’ve assisted across the state is more than double from last year. While it’s a number he said doesn’t surprise him, he also said it’s an issue that needs to be talked about openly.

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Steven Macdk said he felt called to serve his country after the attack on 9/11.

“I remember being a sophomore and sitting in social studies and watching it on TV,” he said.

Sgt. Mack spent 20 years in the military, including two tours in Iraq where an explos

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