Minnesota Training For Veterans In Crisis Omits Older Veterans

There are times when I start reading an article thinking it will be a great thing to share. That is, until I read more and find a comment like this.

“The face of a veteran is very much different today than it was in the first gulf war or Vietnam,” retired Marine John Baker said.

The face of a young veteran is only different now because they are seen. They are not ignored. No one saw the Gulf War veterans when they came home falling apart. No one wanted to see the Vietnam veterans facing everything these younger ones suffer from. No one wanted to see them even though had it not been for them, there would be nothing available today.

The veterans of past wars in crisis faced off with police officers, but either they got shot or went to jail. There were no veterans courts trying to help them get the help they needed.

The things veterans face has not changed since the Revolutionary war. The attention they get has changed but as with most things, we only see what we want to and pay attention to those we value more. Pretty sad all the way around considering every generation should be valued and helped equally. Just because older veterans waited longer that does not mean we should ignore them now. This crisis training is already off to a bad start if they have the attitude this generation is any different from those who came before.

Minnesota Police Trained To Identify Veterans In Crisis
CBS Minnesota
Reg Chapman
August 7, 2015

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Some police officers across Minnesota are going through training on how to identify veterans in crisis.

The training is meant to help officers recognize and offer support for a growing number of returning war veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder or a traumatic brain injury.

Officers from St. Paul, Minneapolis and Richfield police departments as well as University of Minnesota and Metro Transit officers took part in the training. Minnesota has the distinction of being home to the longest deployed national guard unit in the country.

Thousands of men and women have served multiple tours overseas and returned back to their hometowns in Minnesota.
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