Elks cast net for PTSD veterans in Kentucky

Special event shows supports for veterans with PTSD
WPSD 6 News
Logan Gay, Justin Jones
June 23, 2018

It’s that type of support and awareness that can help these heroes conquer their battle with PTSD. They are hoping to make this fishing trip an annual event.

MARSHALL COUNTY, KY – Twenty veterans with PTSD were treated to a special fishing trip sponsored by the Marshall County Elks. The trip was made possible through a $2,000 grant from the Elks National Foundation.

According to the U.S Veterans Affairs the number of Veterans with PTSD varies by service area. About 11-20 out of every 100 veterans who served in Operations Iraqi freedom have PTSD in a given year. About 12 out of every 100 Desert Storm veterans suffer from PTSD in a given year . The VA estimates about 30 out of 100 Vietnam Veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime.

What do you call a person who sacrifices their life for a stranger? A hero. That’s what you can call these men and women. They’re all veterans no longer in a war zone but still fighting a battle. This time with PTSD.

Randy Henson said it’s a war that can only be won through support.

“A lot of times people can’t sleep and they have bad dreams. So when they get together with their buddies. You can talk about it and they’ve been through the same thing,” said Henson.

That’s what inspired the Marshall County Elks to sponsor a fishing trip. They wanted to show respect for these veterans and give them a relaxing day on the lake.
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