Tyler Boudreau: Troubled minds and Purple Hearts

A member of NAMI designed a pin for PTSD veterans. The other day, I posted how it would be great if someone could come up with an award instead of the Purple Heart for PTSD wounded. I believe this is a good start. I also believe that if the military really wants to get rid of the stigma of PTSD, they should honor it as well as honoring all the wounded no matter if you can see the wound or not.

Max Gabriel designed one. I'll post it as soon as I have permission to post the picture of it.

Tyler Boudreau: Troubled minds and Purple Hearts
Dallas Morning News - Dallas,TX,USA
04:18 PM CST on Thursday, January 29, 2009

The Pentagon's recent decision not to award the Purple Heart to veterans and soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress has caused great controversy. Historically, the medal has gone only to those who have been physically wounded on the battlefield as a result of enemy action. But with approximately one-third of veterans dealing with symptoms of combat stress or major depression, many Americans are disappointed with the Pentagon's decision; many more are downright appalled.



As a former Marine infantry officer and Iraq war veteran, I would urge the Pentagon to consider a different solution altogether.

When I was in Iraq, the most common wound behind the many Purple Hearts we awarded was the "perforated eardrum," an eardrum punctured by the concussion of a nearby explosion. In the vast majority of cases, no blood was ever shed. Seldom did these Marines ever miss a day of full duty. And yet they were all awarded the coveted medal.

A year later, back at Camp Lejeune, N.C., I was making calls to the families of wounded Marines – a difficult duty even when the wounds are minor. But I noticed during that time that I never once made a call to a family about a Marine's psychological wounds. I never got a casualty report for post-traumatic stress, despite the rising number of veteran suicides. Never once.

Why, I asked myself, if a combat wound is a combat wound no matter how small, shouldn't those people suffering from the "invisible wounds" of post-traumatic stress also receive the Purple Heart? Difficulty of diagnosis is one of the central justifications the Pentagon has given, citing the concern that fakers will tarnish the medal's image. Spilt blood cannot be faked.

But this seems an unconvincing argument not to honor those who actually do suffer from post-traumatic stress. For example, the possibility of fakers has not prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from awarding disability payments to service members who have received a diagnosis. Why should the military itself be different? click link for more