I choose the "Help Me" to show that the soldier is asking for help. The "Help me is fading away just like a mental illness of a veteran does. It starts with "H" in thick embroidery and then it dies out as it goes on and on down to one single thread. 

 The number 17, which I featured prominently on my quilt block is made from military dog tags to represent the number of veterans who die by suicide each day according to the united states department of veteran affairs. 

 The mourning veil over the soldier represents the superficial cover society places over veterans' mental health issues. While society acknowledges the problem, it often applies a quick fix rather than addressing the root causes. The veil also represents the one worn by loved ones during funerals, as many soldiers ultimately take their lives.