Veterans discuss painful consequences of serving in battle zones

Veterans discuss painful consequences of serving in battle zones at Common Ground
Carroll County Times
Brandon Oland Staff Writer
July 5, 2013

It was just a smoke detector going off.

The incessant, high-pitched beeping was annoying. But everything was fine.

The smoke detector was activated by smoke coming from slightly burnt food on a stove. The beeping would eventually stop. And yet, the noise set Josh Hisle off. He was furious.

Ever since returning from two tours of duty in Iraq, Hisle, a former Marine, has struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Certain noises make him angry, jumpy or irritable.

After witnessing death and destruction in Iraq, he struggled to readjust to life in the United States. It’s a completely different battle that soldiers face after returning from war.

This week, at Common Ground on the Hill at McDaniel College, combat veterans from multiple wars are discussing PTSD, suicidal thoughts and the struggles they faced reintegrating into society.

The difficult subjects are being broached via the Veteran’s Initiative. Nearly 30 scholarships were distributed to veterans for this year’s Common Ground on the Hill, which is two weeks of cultural roots-based classes, concerts and performances in the arts.
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