In a united front, both the Texas House and Senate presented official Resolutions proclaiming May 14, 2025, as Moral Injury Awareness Day in Texas, marking the state's commitment to raising awareness of the psychological and emotional toll faced by military members, veterans, first responders and frontline professionals.
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Texas State Representative Charlie Geren, Dist. 99, together with House colleagues, unanimously approved a Resolution marking May 14 as Moral Injury Awareness Day. Joining them on the House floor are Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, first responder representatives of Fort Worth Police, Fire and DFW International Airport, and R3: Respond, Restore, Resolve, leadership. Moral Injury Awareness Day in the state of Texas will be acknowledged annually.
"Many veterans and first responders carry burdens that are invisible, but no less real," said Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-Fort Worth. "We're called to bear each other's burdens. I'm confident that Texans will gladly and gratefully fulfill that responsibility to the men and women who put everything on the line for the safety of our communities each day. We must ensure our hometown heroes are never left to face these challenges alone."
Moral injury, a condition distinct from post-traumatic stress disorder, occurs when individuals engage in, witness, or fail to prevent actions that violate their deeply held moral beliefs, causing feelings of guilt, shame and loss of trust.
“Recognizing Moral Injury Awareness Day in Texas is a crucial step toward honoring the unseen sacrifices of our military members, veterans, and first responders,” said Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth. “By supporting programs like R3, we are not only addressing the silent wounds carried by those who serve but also building stronger, healthier communities across our state. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in bringing attention to this important issue and supporting the mental health of our frontline heroes.”
“I’m grateful for the recognition of R3’s tireless work addressing moral injury in Fort Worth through mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual support,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “This Moral Injury Awareness Day, I urge the state of Texas to continue to prioritize mental health and wellness for our men and women in uniform who selflessly serve our communities every day.”
This statewide proclamation aligns with initiatives in cities like Fort Worth, where Mayor Mattie Parker and Fort Worth City Council presented the American Warrior Association (AWA) with a city proclamation last summer recognizing Moral Injury Awareness Day in Fort Worth. The proclamation supports the city’s ongoing partnership with the AWA and the recent launch of R3 – Respond, Restore, Resolve, a pioneering initiative addressing moral injury among first responders.
Initially launched in Fort Worth, R3 provides first responders with practical tools and resources to address moral injury, improve resilience, and promote healing. The program also aims to reduce absenteeism and increase morale across departments, ultimately improving community safety and relationships.
“We are so grateful for the support of our statewide elected officials in our work toward securing accessible mental health resources for our first responders and veteran communities,” said Anna Heil, executive director of the R3. “Providing accessible, non-clinical mental health support for our first responders and veterans is more important now than ever and working with a body of elected officials who are willing to act swiftly underscores the need and priority of the work we’re doing.”
To date, R3 has implemented programming with the city of Fort Worth Fire and Police Departments, city of Dallas Fire and Police Departments and DFW International Airport.
R3 offers benefits that extend across all fronts. First responders gain access to crucial tools and resources enabling them to address moral injury, ultimately fostering resilience and well-being. For departments and agencies, the program promotes a healthier workforce, leading to reduced absenteeism and improved overall performance and morale. Together, these efforts will directly benefit the community by enhancing officers’ mental strength to de-escalate situations; ultimately strengthening relationships between first responders and the communities they serve.
About R3/AWA
Rooted in Texas, R3 is designed for scalability with the AWA at the helm to ultimately guide its expansion across the nation. The first of its kind, this program serves as a model for addressing first responder wellness, ensuring communities everywhere can benefit from its innovative approach.
The American Warrior Association (AWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The AWA is dedicated to honoring our Nation’s military, veterans, first responders, and their families in mind, body, and soul.
For more information on Moral Injury Awareness Day or the R3 initiative, visit: https://www.awa-usa.org/programs/r3-program.
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