Deseret News | Horrors of active service plague many vets long after the return home

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Horrors of active service plague many vets long after the return home

Political Wars | 4:33 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

I can't help but have a lot of sympathy for these soldiers and families. This is very typical of political wars where there is no defined or visible army. Vietnam was also a political war and the veterans of that war suffered the same PTSD and in both wars these soldiers were shunned by our government and military. The government and military leaders should take more time and care to put these returning soldiers through a training program to help them readjust to non combat living before sending them back home to their families. They are given training before going in to a combat zone where there is no army to fight, only civilians, then turn them loose cold turkey on their families. The government and military learned all this from the vietnam vets but are still maintaining deniability and irrsponsiblity. War is hell, and so is returning home with what soldiers suffer in a war. Returning soldiers should be held active for at least 30 days for readjustment to help them and their families. Some times it may be better to have the memories of a soldier killed in combat than have them become outcasts upon returning.

Nan B.W. | 4:54 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Huge sums of tax dollars are wasted on ridiculous government funded "projects." Helping ALL who return from service should be a top priority no matter how we feel about the wars and conflicts. That is tax money well spent. We also need to individually reach out to our veterans of all ages from all eras.

This Story | 5:51 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Should be a part of Law Enforcements Program.
This is not what these young Enforcement Officers are experiencing running out on serving the country in Armed Forces
The THOUSANDS of young men that are injured for life
with vicious rememberances of bllod and distruction
Me, I was 17 in Korea, a Medic
This is tough on a young mam to see all the blood shed and trying to save the lives of really BRAVE men.
At 70, My heart still aches, I still have depression
and tears to match
I am upset to read so many stupid post by SARCASTIC idiots
Iraq and Afganistan are being protected by the same young men while these SARCASTIC idiots sit here on the COMPUTER
Young Cops with a GUN
Shooting Citizens
Scared out of their pants and shoot first and ask questions after it is to late
I am really concerned about Elderly People being mistreated
They have all fought in the previous wars to protect this Country
Going on a Mission or Coledge does not surfice and excuse the weak

Comments continue below

Re: Political Wars | 6:47 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

It has nothing to do with so-called political wars. There are hundreds and thousands who fought in WWII with these same PTSD problems. Only back then it was called "battle fatigue". I talked to an older gentleman last week named Jay who fought and was injured at Okinawa. He had an episode while attending the stadium of fire a few years back where he became disoriented after a jet fly over and some fireworks. After that experience he fell into a severe depression due to the embarrassment. HOW IS THAT POLITICAL? Please have some respect for those who have served you and all of us and stop trying to make everything about politics. This is about helping these soldiers...and you are not helping.

CP | 6:51 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

I don't understand why there is only a 10 minute briefing with the families before they are deployed as to what to expect when they come home. These brave soldiers learn the tactics of how to survive in combat and I think the first priority is to teach them and their families on how to survive when they come home. Cause you see on the news the happy reunions when they return home, what you don't see is the aftermath of the damage done cause of the war. PTSD is real, it's not curable but it is manageable. I have PTSD. Not from combat, but from traumatic abuse when I was growing up. So, I was in my own war-zone for many years. And like these soldiers I didn't realize I had a problem and things surfaced like these wives described about their husbands. I almost lost my marriage. But we went into counseling and now things are better. It took more then a decade to get it under control, but we made it. My best to all the war vets. HELP THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES!

JOHNJ | 7:44 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

I called the VA in Salt Lake and asked to speak with my conselor, she had retired they put me on with some other lady the next thing I knew the Tooele city police had their laser sights on my heart.
It's funny how a person is calling for help and you look down and see all them dots on your chest.
I'm really mad at our VA for seeking help and almost got the death sentence! I'm lost where can vet get real help????

Air National Guard | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

I served, but there was "only" the Cold War going on while I was in. I am becoming increasingly grateful, as I get older, for the lifelong sacrifice made by combat veterans.
There are horror stories, and there are wonderful stories - real life is usually a mix of both, with less dramatic good and bad stuff thrown in to fill in the rest of our days. Those who think life is almost all one or the other need to become aware of both. There are combat vets who seem to be just fine - they have found a way to live that puts their combat experiences in a managable "box" and they may or may not let others have "access" to it. There are others who cannot get past the horrors they've seen and participated in, and their fears and tensions are unmanagable by themselves. Friends, though well-meaning, often don't know what to say to them or do for them.
Contact the VA - people who volunteer or work there usually do it for love. Keep up the efforts to find greater peace after your valiant service in our behalf. War is hell, but life is good.

Someone help john | 8:55 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

I am angry, not at our brave servicemen just at our totally uncaring government and especially our tratiourus president.This man is evil and trying very hard to destroy our great nation. I hope you people see very soon before it is too late what he is trying to do. Now someone on this feed needs to reach out to John and get that man the help he so despirately needs. And obviously not from the police department. He may be very dangerous but he did not get that way without the help of our corrupt government. Remember what the politicans have currently done to our servicemen and our constitution. Stop the madness in november, vote all politicans out that have not represented us, and elect tom down the road who lost his job because wal-mart moved in because he actually knows what needs to be done and he cares what happens to us. We the people of the united states of america will not be run into financial ruin by crooked politicans.

Ultra Bob | 9:20 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

It is hard for me to have a lot of sympathy for the people who voluntarily went to Iraq to fight in an unjust, unnecessary war contrived by greedy oil interests.

It's too bad that John McCain doesn't have as much compassion for Joe the Veteran as he has for Joe the plumber.

It seems to be a fact that in today's America, once the soldier has completed his military function we no longer have any need for him.

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 9:29 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

All us Veteran's hear war stories, and nightmares to, while sitting at the VA, trying to get help in one form or another, it's not so much as what went on oversea's and the horrors of active duty service that only plague many vets long after the return home, fighting for "THEIR COUNTRY" to make us all a Free Nation, a fine ezample of this when I was in the war. The Viet Nam war. Today WE (the U.S. military in Iraq) ARE IN IT TO WIN IT, and NOT "cut & run", as the Kennedy / Johnson liberal's did to us in Viet Nam. When we Veteran's came home, from Viet Nam, we never even got a "THANK YOU" or a HUGE Parade either, because of the anti-war hippie movement, all we got was spit in our faces and boo's. And President Nixon bashing. Same as today to. However Kennedy started that war. Not President Nixon. I am glad our GREAT President Bush, gace a 2008 / 2009 budget from $2,5 Billion up to $37.8 Billion, for us Veteran's, this year, so we all can get the help from the VA we need. God Bless "ALL" Veteran's.

sob | 9:33 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

to my brothers and sisters out there
there is nothing wrong with getting help when you need it. the help is there and can make a HUGE difference, but you have to admit you need it. it is important to you, and your family. it is "not just the world" it is what has happened to you and how you now fit into a different world then the one you were in before you left. its ok to be confused, angry, fearful, isolated when you come home and its ok to know you are and to seek help. its not ok to try and ignore it and tough it out.

Larry | 9:48 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Well, to make matters worse the Veterans Administration claims they don't have enough therapists to help counsel our returning Veterans, yet they continue to discriminate in hiring practices by not hiring Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC's), who are highly trained mental health therapists with at least a Masters Degree. In 2006 Congress ordered a job title created for Mental Health Counselors, yet the VA still posts jobs that only hire Licnesed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW's). Yet there are many LPC's like myself who would love to work for the VA provide therapy. I think that our veterans deserve a ton of respect and help for putting thier lives on the line.
Larry Anderson, MC, LPC

Granddaughter | 10:00 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Well, Bob, if you can't have sympathy for the men and women who are making sure that nobody is trying to blow you up as you walk down the sidewalk with your children (Israel), can you have sympathy for my grandfather? He suffered his entire life from the after-effects of WWII.

It's hard for me to have sympathy for people who lead nice, soft lives, and show no gratitude for those who keep them safe from the very real dangers they would otherwise face.

Unless, of course, you think there are no terrorists out there who would attack you for not being the right religion, just like there were no Japanese looking to take over other countries.

It's Never Over | 10:09 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

I think one of the toughest things about the therapy (I have PTSD) is that no matter what you do, no matter how many sessions, what medications, what exercises, what mind games, it is never going to go away. Never. You can't prevent the relapses, you can't predict how severe or mild. I'm lucky, at my new job, most of the people there have been very sympathetic and cooperative with the accommodations I need.

I think the spouses need far more than a 10 minute exposure to what they might expect. It should be mandatory for every spouse to attend at least a day long seminar.

The Army and many LEO use Lt. Col David Grossman to warn about this condition. If you can't see him in person, read his book "On Combat". The first part is hard to get through but necessary to understand the whole picture of PTSD. I would recommend it to any one. Another is by Dr. Blum "Force Under Pressure". Both are excellent and very, very informative.

Goldilocks | 10:19 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Ultra Bob: So greedy oil interests got us in a war. That does not excuse the fact we are in a war. These men are fighting a war on terrorism initially. I have seen the the effects of PTSD on a young vet. This is a serious condition and can ruin life's. Living right below this young vet was a Vietnam vet who has fought this condition since he returned. What does he get from Utah--- the words of compassion to his face, yet no committed support. He he is condemned for the smoking habit he picked up over there and the beer he drinks to calm his nerves.... So it's easy to not have sympathy to the problem and reasons not to address it?

RJ | 10:45 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

My dad is a Korean War Vet and he still suffers from PTSD. I always wondered when I was little why the biggest strongest man I knew was afraid of the dark. My dad still sleeps with the lights. But now I know why.

Ray Howarth | 11:23 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

In 1997, I went beserk. I verbally abused our grandson and his girl friend. I thought I had alienated my wife; however she told me that I needed psychiatric help. I did go to the VA, and, after spending almost 2 hours with a Psychologist(crying and telling him things, which I had never shared with anyone), I asked him what my problem was. He looked at me for several minutes, and then said "You were never reprogammed before you left the Service. Now, after 52 years, it is all coming back on you. You have PTSD". I can appreciate Warren's statement "I don't know if I have fully mourned the loss of 'me". In a group session, our Psychologist told the group to spend the next week trying to get in touch with our pre-war self. I was able to do this, and I realized that me at 17 was very disappointed in the me of 73. I was very ashamed of myself. I determined to help others. I've spent the past 11 years finding and helping over 200 veterans of any previous war by detailing to them how they can receive help. I love our present soldiers and veterans.

Anonymous | 11:29 a.m. Oct. 19, 2008

my heart goes out to all war vets and their families. In my eyes they are the true heros. The ones who come back and have to live with these nightmares and PTSD. Their family life will never be the same. My father was a veteran of the second world war and ended up committing suicide after living a life of hell upon his return. Our soldiers need the best of the best help they can get, for them and for their families. Not for just one day or one week or a month. For a long, long time.

Freedom is not "FREE" folks | 12:02 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

We remember in KIRKUK, Iraq, Parents sit on the floor cradling sick infants in the jammed hallways of Kirkuk provinceï¿½s only pediatric hospital. Half-disrobed patients are examined in front of open doors in rooms with no curtains, privacy a luxury reserved for expensive private hospitals. Some children must wait days for treatment, depending on the severity of their illness, one of the hospitalï¿½s harried pediatricians explains to members of the Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team. In another corner of town, while walking the hallways of a rehabilitation hospital for disabled Iraqis, hospital administrators tell the PRT members their doctors are swamped, seeing patients nonstop all day. They need more money and a near tripling of their staff. The rehabilitation rooms, however, are nearly vacant, as is the hospitalï¿½s large cafeteria, and many pieces of equipment, which the administrators said were bought with U.S. aid money, are still in unopened plastic wrappers. Safety for medical workers in Kirkuk has been tenuous, causing many doctors to leave the province. Because of Iraqï¿½s decades of isolation, many of the countryï¿½s doctors have not had the chance to travel abroad to medical conferences and learn about new techniques.

McCain & Palin 2008

Dorothy | 12:27 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

One more reason why we should never have gone to war in 2003 and why we should get out of the war now. The ones who died have it easy, don't they?

sherri | 1:28 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

I think your imformation is one sided. My father got wonderful care such as hearing aids eye glasses .They even installed handles in our bathroom to aid him with his baths.He quit using his his private health because the veterans was so much better and he had cancer not realated to his service> Thank you Veterans for all you do.

POLITICAL AD | 1:38 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

As serious the Vetrans problems are let me ask do you even care about our VETS? By using this article for a republican ad, I think you ought join and go to war then tell us what you experienced. Then you may be wise and not use such a serious topic on who to vote for!
This is serious what's happening? We all know who loves and can't stand not having a war.

no doubt | 1:49 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Sure makes the lack of any "imminent threat" in 2003 that much more glaring, doesn't it?
The true costs of war were not considered to any extent by the chickenhawks, but now they are coming home to roost.

And this is only the beginning, it will take generations before we'll be able to heal as a nation.
And the chant is repeated, "Never again".

Iraq Vet's opinion | 1:51 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

I spent 15 months in Iraq. I was shot up and blown up my fair share of times as a combat engineer. I think you have to really be careful to use PTSD as a diagnosis for every vet's issues.

The military really is trying to take care of its Soldiers. It hasn't always done the best job at it and can always do more. I don't know how many "screenings" I've been to to ensure I'm ok, but unfortunately, PTSD seems to be over-diagnosed, when in fact it appears there are other underlying issues out there that probably are not PTSD. Soldiers know that they can claim PTSD as a scapegoat diagnosis for our problems and doctors will diagnose issues as PTSD because they don't know what the problem is. Soldiers who never left the base to see what I saw are even getting diagnosed with PTSD. There is obviously a lot of work to do to determine what the actual problem is.

anon | 2:32 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

My husband lived with PTSD for years before we got a diagnosis. I cry for all of the years of torment before he finally got the treatment he needed. But it took a toll on the whole family.

My heart goes out to these returning vets. Nothing in life could prepare them for what they saw and experienced. I pray that the VA resources are there for all of them.

Cheap talk | 3:16 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

The same conservatives who have ducked sacrifice by paying for the wars our Military is fighting are telling how much they care. As a veteran; thanks but no thanks! Your concern is meaningless.

Hey Ultra Bob | 3:35 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

I didn't go to Iraq for the oil companies, I went there because my country asked me to. I didn't make a list of exceptions and provisos when I swore an oath to serve my country and to defend the right of morons like you to live in safety while spouting your self-righteous venom.

I was fortunate enough to return after 14 months without any severe symptoms of PTSD- a little insomnia and my wife said I was a workaholic. I made the adjustment, and I'm OK. But I had a soldier who was in bad shape. I called the Utah Dept of Veterans Affairs and was given the name of a counselor. I called the counselor the same day and was able to get an appointment for my soldier within a couple of days. The counselor was excellent and my soldier is now happy in his marriage and his work and is a good soldier I would trust to cover my back.

There is help available out there, but too many soldiers are afraid to use it because it's sometimes seen as weakness and soldiers can be anything but weak.

Dan | 3:39 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Political War: What a dunce you are! All wars are political. Old men and women start wars and young men and women go fight and die.

Speaking as a veteran, and as any veteran will tell you, being in the military provides a wealth of experiences both good and bad.

War is ugly and truly hell. However any non-veteran who is so simple minded to classify "good" and "bad" wars, based on their political leanings have lead a very sheltered life indeed.

During my youth, the Vietnam Era, vets were dishonored, cursed, spat on, and endured other indignities simply because the media, and their willing-to-be-led sheepish population, turned against the war during the war; mocking vets as baby killers and making other horrid generalizations about our mental state. All the while forgetting "old men and women" make wars and "young men and women go fight and die".

The penalty for dodging the draft was a 5 year federal prison term. Others "of privilege" got college deferrments, chopped off trigger fingers, or maimed themselves in other ways.

What would you do?

I've met many non-vets who wouldn't make a pimple on a real veteran's backside regardless of which war they're in.

Maggie | 4:33 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

I agree there are no 'good' or 'bad' wars, however there are necessary wars and the war in Iraq is not one of them. I cannot fully imagine what some of these military men and women have had to face in situations of war, but I have spoken to many of them who have taken part in combat going back to WWII. The depth of the emotions involved know no ends. I truly love and admire these people for their sacrifice and bravery, though I utterly despise those who recklessly place some of our finest people in harms way. I can only hope that if I were placed in unspeakable positions and had to make moment to moment life and death decisions that I would react with the same selflessness as these soldiers. I can now only wish them well, and lend my respect to them always.

CITIZEN | 4:34 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

The V.A.as everyone knows needs a complete overhaul from top to bottom.write your elected officials both state and federal and demand that they address this critical situation immediately.The V.A.needs an emergency BAIL-OUT and that means money and plenty of it."HATS OFF TO ALL COMBAT VETERANS"

Vietnam Vet. | 4:56 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Those who want to make PTSD political are poorly informed. In WWI and WWII it was called, "Shell Shock," but had nothing to do with exploding artillery and bombs. It has to do with fear, even irrational and unjustified fear. I have seen PTSD or Shell Shock in individuals that never saw real combat. In my experience I found that the nightmares mentioned at the beginning of the article go away in a couple of years, but then each person is different.

I got married about a year after I got home from Vietnam, and the nightmares including sleep walking scared my wife too. Most veterans that don't sit around thinking about the war will find that it will go away, and if it doesn't seek professional help.

Once again PTSD has nothing to do with war or politics. Someone having been robbed at gunpoint, almost killed in an accident, or other traumatic incident could suffer the same symptoms.

Get over the war thing! There is now help available for veterans that wasn't for Vietnam and WWII vets. Improperly diagnosed PTSD can also be signs of other problems, having nothing to do with the military.

A Viet Nam Veteran here | 4:57 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Why is it, LIBERALS could care less about us Veteran's? Plus they cut program's for us, shut down program's and VETO them to. Let me just say something here to all. In Clinton's "second term in Office", the MAJORITY in the House and Senate, wrote and passed a Bill, to raise up "The Federal Poverty Wage Guidelines", (in 2008 for a example it's now at $14,600 for a Married Couple without dependants "they all grew up"), up to $75k a year, BOTH PARTY's bickered a bit and caved into $55k. Chinton Vetoed it. PAY ATTENTION HERE NOW, any Honorable discharged VETERAN could of got a $1,900 a MONTH Pension, from the VA, plus kept their Social Security Check to, and of disabled, forwhat ever reason, his wife could get a $1,900 check per month to stay home and care for him full time. DO THAT MATH will ya?. I have pushed for this since 1972 folks. AND EVERY TIME it's gets taked off the back burner, for a new Committee Meeting, the Liberal's stall on it, because the TV camera's are on them for another thing, so they put it BACK on the back burner's and stall.

10 Minute Brief? | 5:08 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Not this old soldier/Iraq Vet. We have had so many briefings and surveys and checks on PTSD as to fill a swimming pool. It's all worth it. Most of us were fine until the 6 month mark after returning. It's real, it's got to be dealt with. For the spouses, it's especially critical to understand what happened to your loved one and to be there for them. Pick up the phone, call for help from your services mental health folks or the other such services, but GET HELP. It helped me, and I thought I was fine until something happened to bring it all back. There is lots of literature on PTSD I recommend it for the spouses and families to understand what is wrong.

This condition isn't new to this war, so don't go blaming it on the current situation. Let's deal with it and move on.

Anonymous | 7:21 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Perhaps my comment is too late but a late friend of mine spent seven years overseas during WW 11. He went over in 39 and came home in 45. Remember this was before cell phones and email which help veterans keep in touch with their families. So I believe it was harder for them. He suffered nightmares for the rest of his life but never uttered a negative word about serving and being hurt by a land mine. He was a proud veteran as should all those be who are serving now. And, please, don't believe everything the Dems tell you. Consider the source.

Thomas | 8:25 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

Well, you can bet yer britches that if Obama becomes President he won't be very sympathetic to us veterans! He wouldn't even meet with the troops when he visited Iraq. By his actions, he showed contempt and disrespect for the troops.

Because he can't separate the troops from the war he was against from the beginning, he opposes both. Is that the kind of "Commander in Chief" you want? If he becomes President, brace yourselves, 'cause the next four years will tough for veterans under a liberal democratic administration.

Afghanistan soldier | 10:02 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

If Obama wins, I doubt we will have to deploy as much. And as a soldier in the middle of his 3rd deployment, that will be a welcome change. And none of my many friends that have deployed use room clearing techniques on their own homes. PTSD is an unfortunate part of war, but for most soldiers it isn't anywhere near this extreme.

McCain voted against Vets | 10:24 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

John McCain voted against taking care of Vets through the VA and through a new GI Bill that would give Iraq/Afghanistan veterans the same benefits of WW2/Korea veterans. John McCain voted against a pay raise for enlisted men & women.

John McCain voted against regular GIs and vets because George Bush preferred to spend the money on Haliburton contracts and tax cuts for billionaires.

Yes, McCain is Navy and a hero, but politically he is for the rich and nothing more. If you care about actual military folks, instead of just Republican flag-waving talk talk talk, if you care about real veterans and active duty families, you should vote Democratic on Nov 4th.

cache | 10:25 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

This was a really great and well written article. All of our service members deserve a huge round of applause. I hope those who need help for PTSD seek it. It's easy to realize you need help for physical injuries. It's a lot harder to reach out when the injuries are psychological and much more devastating. God Bless our troops!

Greatful granddaughter | 11:39 p.m. Oct. 19, 2008

My grandpa served in the Army in WWII. Talented, youthful, charismatic, sensitive, he returned home shell-shocked and a haunted, gray-haired man. His best friend and second in command had been blown to pieces, and this and all the other atrocities he witnessed caused him to wake up screaming years after WWII had ended. As he suffered, his wife and children suffered. In the end he took his own life because of PTSD and doctors perscribing the wrong medication in their ignorance of PTSD. He died when I was a baby. My heart aches for all servicemen and women who are suffering, and I thank them for their selfless patriotism and dedication to the cause of freedom. THANK YOU...we owe you so much.

Native Warrior | 12:05 a.m. Oct. 20, 2008

I was a member of the Utah National Guard until I retired back in June 2008. I served in Iraq. Upon returning I was not afforded the opportunity to go through readjustment type of session or PTSD counseling.This was largely due to living on the Navajo Reservation, AZ. Once I crossed the UT borderline into reservation line, any assisted from UT VA halted. Why is it this way?

Vetzz | 12:41 a.m. Oct. 20, 2008

Caring for Vets takes tax money. Tax money is inherently non-characteristic of Republicans.

PTSD | 3:28 a.m. Oct. 20, 2008

I am a Marine still serving who returned from Iraq in 2007. I also thought PTSD was bull until I came back and realized it is real and I had some symptoms. I was able to seek some help thru my base, but it is still a struggle, I know I am so much angrier and have a shorter fuse, but my wife and kids love me and I have not let that war define me. The first few months, all I thought of was Iraq and I felt so guilty for coming home. Now I can go days without thinking about it. If you have symptoms, get help, it helped me a lot. I also have struggled with my testimony and membership in my church, but I am still active and still trying.

Mike | 3:41 p.m. Oct. 20, 2008

When I got out of police work I was suffering from PTSD although that was never the diagnosis. I went to a shrink for a solid year and got myself de-programed. Over the years since, I have seen signs of it creaping back. If I had it from being a cop, my heart goes out to those veterans who suffer. They have been through much more than I went through.

Cut some of the entitlements to fund getting the veterans help. Welfare, food stamps, Medicade, bailouts to banks and Freddy Mac, etc.

By the way, Ultra Bob, you are a true a@@hole.

Wife and Friend of many veterans | 12:26 a.m. Oct. 22, 2008

This article and comments that have been made about PTSD and it's effects saddens me. It not only effects those with PTSD but those they love the most. There needs to be more education about PTSD for everyone.

As an avocate of doing something instead of just commenting on a subject I strongly urge each individual who has commented and may continue to leave their comments to write to their senators and invite others to do the same. As one large voice we can make a difference like many of the Korean and Vietnam vets have already done for our current day soldiers. Don't let what they have fought for and currently fight for die with them. Speak up! Vote!

UltraBob: You may have ignorantly opened mouth inserted foot. Get educated! People don't just up and volunteer to go to war. Many want to make a difference and the military was their tool to do so. Many of the soliders in Iraq are from different states' NationalGuard units - initially set up for the state's needs. Look at what they do in their own and other states and countries with natural devestation. War wasn't part of their list.

War will happen | 12:43 p.m. Oct. 23, 2008

This has existed forever. It may be new to our returning men and woman but it has afflicted millions of people including rape victims, police officers, accident vitims and so many more.

The article was not about whether the war is right or wrong or who you are going to vote for next week. Its about getting the word out there. Lets help these young families and the older families get the help they need. PTSD is contagious and will have a domino effect if left untreated.

War will happen and so will other bad events. We can't all sit back and not have a military or protect our selves like some of you would prefer. There is a cost to war and we need to acknowledge that by voting for the people who will put more funding into the right programs for our veterans. The VAs need more therapists and support groups with resources for these men/woman/family members and especially children.

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