Wife saw PTSD in wounded Marine husband before officer did

When you think back to all the claims the military has been doing on raising awareness of PTSD of it with military families the comment made by this Marine's wife should make you understand how much they have not done. This wife said the example of PTSD came from her Dad and not what the military prepared her for. That is one of the biggest issues the families face since they are told very little about what PTSD is and how they can help. Resiliency Training does not for the troops or the families.

Wounded warrior brings attention to PTSD
By CAT SMITH
The Daily News
Published: Monday, December 10, 2012

BULLHEAD CITY — A new gold star was added to the Community Christmas Tree of Freedom last week during a regular meeting of the Bullhead City council, in honor of wounded warrior Sgt. Carlos Trejo, and his wife, Tricia.

“I am so grateful for this honor and the big welcome everyone in this city has bestowed upon Carlos and I,” said Tricia, who speaks on Carlos’ behalf as he continues to recover from a traumatic brain injury he sustained during his fifth tour of duty overseas in April of 2009.

According to Tricia, Carlos joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17 to give back to a country that provided him “with many wonderful opportunities growing up.”

With already four deployments in the Infantry Unit, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines based in Twentynine Palms, Calif., Carlos told his wife before leaving on his fifth tour that the reason he served was because it was “his duty and those were his brothers” fighting on the front lines.

But during his last tour, in Afghanistan, tragedy struck when the Humvee Carlos and four others were riding in was attacked by insurgents. Two fellow Marines lost their lives and Carlos suffered a severe head trauma, as well as facial injuries, after the military vehicle rolled down a 10-foot embankment. The blow to his head, said Tricia, rendered him unconscious for several minutes.

“I don’t know what upsets me more, the fact they kept him in combat for nearly seven more months or the fact I was unaware of the severity of his injuries until a doctor on base told me,” said Tricia. “Carlos came home in November 2009 and had to undergo a multitude of surgeries for his facial injuries.”

During that night, Tricia sat awake, asking herself over and over why she could see the change but not his commanding officer, or even his friends. She knew at that moment things needed to change and people needed to be aware of the disorder that affects so many other military members.

“I saw it before,” explained Tricia. “My father had it but it was unknown then. I saw they same symptoms in Carlos that I saw in my father.”
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