Fort Carson:9 men,10 murders from one brigade

Before you attempt to write these soldier off as just criminals, consider this. They were willing to risk their lives for this country with two military campaigns going on. Afghanistan was invaded in 2001 and Iraq was invaded in 2003. All of them volunteered to risk their lives because the government said they were needed. Is that the act of a criminal? Is that the act of someone with absolutely no regard for human life? No. Are there some trying to get into the military so they can "kill people" and get away with it? Sure there is that possibility but I'd like to see them pass the mental evaluation and pull it off. Even if you know absolutely nothing about PTSD, I'm sure even you would understand the difference in character the men and women in the military have from the rest of us. If nothing else, allow that to enter into your brain before you read this.

For my readers up to speed on PTSD, this requires absolutely no more explanation for you to understand so please read it and then contact your elected officials, yes even the ones who were just elected to office so they have a game plan when they get to Washington. There is no time to waste.

Deadly duty for Fort Carson
Fort Carson has sent thousands of troops into action overseas. But nine may have brought too much of the war home with them and have been linked to violent crimes.
By David Olinger
The Denver Post

John needham, 25, pictured at left atop an armored personnel carrier in Iraq, was arrested in Orange County, Calif., in September and charged with murder in the death of a 19-year-old woman found beaten at a condominium in San Clemente. (Photo courtesy of Mike Needham )

COLORADO SPRINGS — Erica Ham was walking to a bus stop, heading for work as a nursing-home housekeeper, when a car struck her from behind.

Three men jumped out. "Get on the ground!" one with a gun ordered. Another stabbed her repeatedly, puncturing a lung and slitting her left eyelid. Police found her unconscious but alive, her cellphone at her ear.

Matthew Orrenmaa was shot as he walked to get gas for his truck, Zachary Szody as he talked with a friend in front of a Colorado Springs house. Cesar Ramirez-Ibanez and Amairany Cervantes were gunned down as they posted a garage-sale sign. Kevin Shields was shot to death on his 24th birthday, Robert James for the cash in his wallet, Jonathan Smith in an attempted robbery, Sara

Sherwood by a husband who then killed himself. Judilianna Lawrence was murdered by a rapist who slit her throat. Jacqwelyn Villagomez was beaten to death.

The victims had just one thing in common: The men accused of attacking them all went to war in Iraq with the same Fort Carson unit, the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

In three years, nine men from that single 3,700-soldier Army brigade have been charged in 10 murders and attempted homicides, all but two in or around Colorado Springs. Some of the attacks appear frighteningly random; victims were shot and stabbed by men they had never seen before. Four of the victims — Orrenmaa, Szody, Shields and James — also served at Fort Carson.

Of the accused, one had been sent home early from Iraq with mental-health problems. Another had been hospitalized with post-traumatic stress disorder. Another had become addicted to painkillers prescribed for his wounds.
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http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_10996605
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