Why Vietnam Veterans Are Finally Getting Help

There have been a lot of questions about why Vietnam veterans are filing claims for PTSD now, after all these years. This pretty much answers those questions. It's not that they are just now understanding they need help. They are finally finding out there is help for them!

It still irks me that they are the last ones to know when they were the first generation to fight for PTSD to be treated. They came home just like the older veterans did carrying this wound within them but they were the first ones to fight to have it treated and compensated. As bad as it is for the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, think of how much worse it would be if they did not push for treatment, research and programs to be in place.

I do more videos focused on Vietnam veterans for this reason alone. I started doing outreach work in 1982 because of them and now it's lead to helping the newer veterans, but also police officers, firefighters and victims. The problem is, there are just not enough programs like the VFW is doing for them. It would be wonderful if the rest of the service organizations would do the same. The good thing is, more of them are.

VFW holds event to get info to those who need it
By SEAN PATRICK NORRIS, Staff Writer
Published 06/24/09

Bill Brady served as a Marine in Vietnam for two years.

Bob Prater was as an Army sniper there in 1969 and 1970.

Both men came out of the war needing help and have been struggling to find it.

On Saturday, the two men and 50 other Vietnam-era vets received help from the state Department of Veterans Affairs, benefiting from outreach efforts even as the agency works to help a new generation of soldiers coming home.

"There is a lot more out there than there was when some of these veterans separated 20 or more years ago," said Cate Conroy, deputy director of outreach for the department. "There is a lot of new information."

Soldiers leaving the services now are given an overview of benefits available from the military and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Older vets are often on their own to find out what help they can get.

"Especially now with an aging veteran population and tough economic times it can really make a difference in someone's life," Conroy said.

Vets at Saturday's event said the outreach hasn't always been there for them. Brady, a Glen Burnie resident, said his experiences with the state and federal agencies have been frustrating.

"Whenever I went to them you were always put on hold or put on a list and you never heard from them again," he said. "It was like, hurry up and wait."

The Veterans Muster held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 160 in Glen Burnie, however, provided about 15 tables stocked with information on finding help for health problems, education aid and other issues. He and other vets strolled, browsed and asked questions.

Conroy acknowledged she's heard of people having problems with benefits, but most focus on the federal agency. She said her organization has a better track record.

"I know when I separated (from the military) 17 years ago there was a lot of misinformation," she said. "I know they are working to improve and they have come a long way. I use the VA for health care and it's great."

Prater, the former Army sniper, said Saturday was the first time he received information about getting help for post-traumatic stress disorder, a mental health complication many combat veterans face.
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VFW holds event to get info to those who need it