Fort Hood Soldiers Battling PTSD in Texas

General Rick Lynch has a lot on his hands. Then again, so does every other general in this nation. The problem is, they all need to think outside the box. There is an army of people all across this nation, including me, ready, willing and able to help. The problem is, they won't ask.
Soldiers Battling PTSD in Texas
Last Edited: Tuesday, 17 Mar 2009, 12:30 PM CDT
Created On: Monday, 16 Mar 2009, 5:23 PM CDT

- An alarming number of soldiers - returning from war-zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, are coming home with an injury no bandage can heal. The personal and emotional crisis is not only taking a toll on military lives. Some fear a much larger public crisis is about to explode across Texas.

Writing songs, for Gary Romriell, is a way to appease the demons that torment his mind.

"Im pretty sure they are here to stay," Said Romriell.

The words are like ghosts from a life far from the Williamson County farm where he now lives. The fire fights and long patrols are over for him. But what he endured during his tour of duty in Iraq clings like the dust on his old field boots.

"You cant completely walk away from it; your subconscious mind wont let you," said Romriell.

Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Romriell tries to focus on his new life with his fiancé and young son. However the ghosts are never far away.

"There is no understanding it, even my fiancé who I've lived with about 3 years, who lived through my fits, and anxiety attacks, nightmares and all the teeth grinding, she doesnt fully understand what it means to be a traumatized veteran," said Romriell.

According to the Department of Defense, in 2008, at least 128 soldiers committed suicide. The Marine Corps reports 41.

In May, 21-year-old Chad Oligschlaeger, a marine and former McNeil high school graduate, was laid to rest. His father, Eric, said his son took his life because of post traumatic stress.

"We have to get something in place to help these guys so they're not left out in the cold, because we can't imagine what's going on in their heads," said Eric Oligschlaeger.

Fort Hood commanding General, Rick Lynch says he understands. According to Lynch, 60% of the soldiers on the Post have gone through 3 deployments and 500 are currently diagnosed with PTSD or a traumatic brain injury. In addition, the need for help is not limited to those wearing fatigues.

"These soldiers and their family members need access to care, and right now I dont have enough on the installation to meet these needs," said General Lynch.
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