Families should watch for signs a veteran is repressing emotions

The occupation of Iraq is winding down as troops are withdrawn from the cities. Plans are in place to pull out most of the troops. While some will have to be trained for deployment to Afghanistan, others will be returned home to bases, cities and towns, as combat veterans. Many of these men and women no longer on the cycle of redeployments, will have the time they need to rest and recover from the endless months of risking their lives. The problem is, too many people right back here are still clueless about what they went through and what they can carry back home inside of them because of all of it.

Citizen soldiers, the National Guards and Reservists, returning to their families, no longer have the same connection they had to the people they deployed with. The support services are still not in place in too many states. They are expected to simply return to their "normal" lives just as veterans are expected to return to their lives as citizens instead of soldier. What is it they are coming back to?

After the welcome home banners have come down, after the parties and the parades, what exactly is it we are willing to do for them after asking every kind of sacrifice out of them? The great news has been posted here on this blog with service groups, churches and veterans groups stepping up to help. Charity organizations formed to take care of the dire need. This is all good news, but the truth is, too many in this country remain with their heads buried in the latest political scandal, reality TV show or their own problems to notice what has been happening for far too long.

We are nowhere near ready to take care of the veterans we already have needing help. The biggest issue is that families are the first ones to know when something is wrong but if they don't know what PTSD is, they will not know what to do.

Families should watch for signs a veteran is repressing emotions
Queens Chronicle - Rego Park,NY,USA
by Victor Epstein, Chronicle Contributor
07/02/2009

Our servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan are no strangers to hardship. Yet one challenge they might not expect — but most probably look forward to — is the challenge of coming home.

Returning home from combat is a lot more then tearful reunions and heartfelt embraces. Many veterans find it a difficult challenge, one they are entirely unprepared for.


“When I came home it took a while to adjust,” said veteran Ed Diez, who works in Woodside. “You’re used to being always alert, every day, all the time. And you come home; everybody is very relaxed, telling you ‘Calm down,’ and you can’t seem to fit in properly, in the beginning at least.”

Diez served in Afghanistan in 2003 and 2004 as a specialist and at various times a squad leader with the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry. Now he takes history classes at Queens College and works for the Vietnam Veterans of America as a service officer, counseling veterans about their benefits at the QVC in Woodhaven.

When he returned from combat, Diez said he personally experienced stress, social anxiety and trouble finding work or readjusting to his old life. These problems are common for returning veterans, and for some can be more serious. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, an anxiety disorder that can develop after traumatic experiences, is fairly common among returning veterans. “I would say probably close to 100 percent of those returning from combat would have some level of PTSD, though what level differs,” said retired Sgt. First Class Marvin Jeffcoat.

PTSD came to the public attention in the 1970s as Vietnam veterans returned and was formally recognized in 1980.

Jeffcoat, 44, was a soldier for 22 years and served in the Persian Gulf War. Born in South Jamiaca and now living in Woodside, he was recently elected to oversee the 26 Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Queens. Jeffcoat said PTSD is not limited to veterans who have been in combat, mentioning accidental shootings, car crashes and a number of other traumatic scenarios as possible catalysts for the disorder.

“I had a roommate commit suicide,” he said. “His death was more disturbing to me than any number of dead Iraqis I saw.”

Dr. Paulette Peterson, who has worked for 24 years at the QVC, described PTSD as a great burden. “You don’t feel safe, you want to avoid thinking about the war, but it’s always on your mind,” she said. The QVC is a federally funded program started in 1979 by the Department of Veteran Affairs to help veterans deal with psychological issues.
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