At war with PTSD Mental affliction in soldiers tied to area homicide, robbery

I'm sure you've heard the expression "strength in numbers" and maybe just maybe that is the answer to all of this. What if every Iraq and Afghanistan veteran joined with every Gulf War veteran, Vietnam veteran, Korean veteran and remaining WWII veterans to file a claim with the VA? There is a backlog of over 900,000 right now and shows no sign of easing. What would this do? Would it mess up the entire system so much that they would be forced to really do something with some sense of urgency? Would it make it worse for the veterans already filing claims and needing help to be joined by other veterans trying to make a point temporarily?

We had Memorial Day when veterans from around the country mobilized to remember the fallen in tremendous numbers. Yesterday they did it again for Flag day to remember all the men and women serving under this one flag. Do you think they could repeat these efforts for the sake of all veterans? What if the well, economically able, joined the rest of the veterans not so blessed and really helped them out by marching in the streets, demanding the veterans of this nation actually received the promised care they already earned because they served? Could you imagine what over 24 million veterans would look like marching in brotherhood for each other?

It's not a far fetched idea. I've seen these men and women in action and I've seen what they can do when they want to unite with their military families at memorials, parades, reunions and events like Veteran's Day, Memorial Day and Flag Day. If anyone can do it, they can. They care deeply for each other, except for a rare few who deny the problem exists. That's ok because they never understood the concept of "never leave anyone behind" or what it's like to be a member of this kind of family. If they all acted together, let their voices be heard by the very people claiming to "honor their service" then don't you think the VA and the DOD would be forced to take immediate action that actually works? How many more veterans should we allow them to make excuses for? How many more veterans need to end up in the backlog and forced to wait for care? How many more will face financial hardships waiting? How many more will end up committing crimes instead of getting help? What is the limit to the sacrifices these men and women are supposed to make before they need sacrifice no more?

At war with PTSD Mental affliction in soldiers tied to area homicide, robberyThe Tribune-Democrat - Johnstown,PA,USA


The Department of Defense has taken major steps to help military personnel returning from deployment.

The Veterans Administration offers counseling and treatment for soldiers suffering from the effects of combat, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

So why are we publishing stories about military veterans who say they have PTSD and who are being charged with violent crimes?

The condition has recently been linked to a double homicide in the Altoona area and an armed robbery in Cambria County. In both cases, the alleged assailants said they were suffering from PTSD.

PTSD is a complicated problem that is growing in scope and intensity nationally and here in our region, where a disproportionately high number of residents has served in Iraq and Afghanistan due to our region’s strong commitment to military service.

“People come in when they have a crisis,” said John Grove, chief of social work with the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona. “Of course, we’re seeing more (PTSD) related to Iraq and Afghanistan because they’re coming back.”

Some level of PTSD is an inevitable reality during times of war. And the incidence is elevated now because of the high rate of re-deployment – multiple tours of duty.

Identifying military personnel who are in need of help, and getting them that help, is a two-sided coin:

The Department of Defense must continue to do more for these veterans, moving toward a system where soldiers are not penalized for undergoing psychological evaluations. In the past, officials could lose their rank and soldiers could lose their careers if questions existed about possible psychological concerns.

On the other side, military personnel and their families must be willing to seek evaluation and treatment – before a “crisis” has occurred. There are many places for veterans to get help, even anonymously. Soldiers must recognize in themselves the signs of PTSD and then act. click link for more