"And with this prayer I'm hoping that we, can be unbroken" by PTSD

Bon Jovi thanks Prince Harry for 'bringing a light' to PTSD sufferers as they release video for charity single recorded with the Invictus Games Choir

Daily Mail
By CHLOE MORGAN FOR MAILONLINE
30 March 2020

Prince Harry released video for charity single 'Unbroken' recorded in February
Recorded with Bon Jovi and Invictus Games Choir to raise awareness of PTSD
Jon and 12 choir members seen rehearsing and singing as one glorious group

Prince Harry has released the video for charity single 'Unbroken' he recorded with US rocker Bon Jovi and the Invictus Games Choir to raise awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The special version of the Bon Jovi track, re-recorded last month at Abbey Road Studios, is available to buy and stream now.

All proceeds will go to the Invictus Games Foundation, of which The Duke of Sussex is Patron, in support of the recovery and rehabilitation of international wounded, injured or sick military personnel.

The Choir and Jon recorded the single together in just two days, and in the video, Jon and the 12 choir members are seen rehearsing and singing together as a glorious group.
read it here

Unbroken

Bon Jovi

I was born to be of service

Camp Lejeune just felt like home

I had honor, I found purpose

Sir, yes, sir

That's what I know

They sent us to a place I never heard of weeks before

When you're nineteen, it ain't hard to sleep

In the desert on God's floor

Close your eyes, stop counting sheep

You hear them bootcamp anymore

We were taught to shoot our rifles

Then in one, then side by side

Thought we'd be made as liberators

In a thousand year old fight

I got this painful ringing in my ear

From an IED last night

But no lead light humvee war machine, could save my sergeants life

Three more soldiers, six civilians

Need these words to come out right

God of mercy, God of light

Seek your children from this life

Here these words, this humble plea

For I have seen the suffering

And with this prayer I'm hoping

That we, can be unbroken

It's 18 months now, I've been stateside

With this medal on my chest

But there are things I can't remember

And there are things I won't forget

I lie awake at night with dreams of devils shouldn't see

I wanna scream, but I can't breathe

And Christ, I am sweating through these sheets

Where's my brothers? Where's my country?

Where's my how things used to be?

God of mercy, God of light

Seek your children from this life

Here these words, this humble plea

For I have seen the suffering

And with this prayer I'm hoping

That we, can be unbroken

My service dogs done more for me

Then the medication would

There ain't no angel that is coming to save me

But even if they could

Today, 22, would die from suicide

Just like yesterday, they're gone

I live my life for each tomorrow

So their memories will live on

Once we were boys, and we were strangers

Now we're brothers and we're men

Someday you'll ask me, was it worth it to be of service in the end?

Well, the blessing, and the curses, yeah, I'd do it all again

Whoa-oh

Whoa-oh

Whoa-oh

Whoa-oh

Whoa-oh

Whoa-oh (Whoa)

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Jon Bon Jovi

Unbroken lyrics © Bon Jovi Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Int. Ltd.

After veteran committed suicide, Prince Harry and Meghan made promise to Mom

Prince Harry and Meghan promise tragic special forces veteran's mother that they will help servicemen and women win the battle against PTSD

Daily Mail UK
By ISABELLA NIKOLIC FOR MAILONLINE
February 17, 2019

Viv Johnston's, 62, special forces son, Danny, 35, killed himself last year
Danny had been struggling with PTSD ever since he was discharged
Harry, 34, had previously written to Viv after Danny was found hanged in May
An estimated 42 servicemen and women committed suicide last year

Viv Johnston, 62, was invited to speak to Prince Harry and Meghan before the Endeavour Awards last week after Harry wrote to her when her son, Danny, killed himself last year

Roughly 42 ex-servicemen and women suffering with PTSD committed suicide last year but the true scale of the crisis isn't known because the Ministry of Defence doesn't keep a record.

Prince Harry and Meghan have made a vow to a grieving mother to help servicemen and women who are struggling with PTSD.

Viv Johnston, 62, saw the destructive effects PTSD can have first hand when her son, Danny Johnston, 35, killed himself last year.

The royal couple invited Viv, from Bognor Regis, West Sussex, to meet them before the military Endeavour Awards in London last week.
read more here

UK Veteran paid ultimate price after being redeployed with PTSD

'HE WANTED TO END THE NIGHTMARES' Soldier who fought alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan hanged himself after clearing explosives ‘without being qualified’
The Sun
By Rob Pattinson and Aletha Adu
5th July 2018

Hunt was deployed to Helmand Province in 2008 and sent back in 2009 despite showing signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt served with Prince Harry, fifth right, in Afghanistan in 2008

A SOLDIER who hanged himself after fighting alongside Prince Harry cleared explosives in Afghanistan without being qualified, an inquest heard.

Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, 39, protected the prince and was mentioned in dispatches for saving hundreds of comrades.

Today a Lincoln inquest heard the Royal Engineer had not been properly trained for the nerve-racking combat role and suffered years of nightmares back home.

His ex-wife Lainey Hunt, a Warrant Officer with 32 Engineer Regiment, like her husband, told the hearing: "From 2008 to the day he died Nathan suffered.

"He suffered from nightmares and sleeplessness, and I would see him crying.

"I do believe Nathan wanted to end the nightmares and decided to end his life that night."
read more here

Harry and Meghan pledged to "honor and protect" each other

Harry kept the beard and yes, wore his uniform! 

Markle becomes a princess automatically by marrying Harry. As she was not born a royal, her title as princess becomes her husband's name so she'll formally be known as Her Royal Highness Princess Harry of Wales.

NBC News WINDSOR, England — America has a new princess.
Los Angeles native Meghan Markle joined hands with Britain’s Prince Harry Saturday as they pledged to “honor and protect” each other in marriage after a 15-month romance. They later kissed on the steps outside the chapel.

Grieving Parents "End stigma around PTSD"

Parents of Lincoln solider found dead at home want his death to ‘end stigma around PTSD’
The Lincolnite
Court Reporter
January 22, 2018

An inquest in to the death of a decorated soldier from Lincoln who served alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan has today been formally opened.

Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, 39, was found dead at his home in the city on January 2.

His parents, Derek and Maria Hunt, from Lincoln, want their son’s death to help end the stigma of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by returning soldiers.

An inquest heard police forced entry to the property in Westbrooke Road, Lincoln, on the morning of January 2 after concerns were raised for his safety.

WO Hunt served with Prince Harry in Helmand Province in 2008 after being attached to the Household Calvary.

The father-of-one was part of a desert reconnaissance unit which was involved in identifying roadside bombs planted by the Taliban.

Mr Hunt, a member of the Royal Engineers, was awarded a Mention in Dispatches for his courage in locating improvised explosive devices while on secret missions to ambush the enemy.

But he was later diagnosed with mental health issues linked to combat stress.
read more here

Invictus Games and Dog Named Jester

Pooch SAVED war veteran and helped him compete in Invictus Games
The Daily Star UK
Ed Gleave
January 14, 2018

Jon, who took home a bronze medal last year, said: "I'm trying to push myself and see what I can achieve and that all seems a little bit easier when I've got Jester with me.

Ex-Royal Marine Jon Flint fell 30ft while abseiling during a training exercise in 1996.

It left him with a fracture in his lower spine, but because he was so fit it went undiagnosed until he left the services.

After quitting the Marines his condition got worse until he was unable to walk unaided.

That's when threeyear-old labrador Jester stepped into offer him a lifeline. Jon, a former lance corporal who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, said: "It's difficult to put into words how much difference he's made to my life and the life of my family.

"When I was in the Royal Marines I knew the guys with me always had my back. And now I know Jester has always got my back."

For three years, assistance dog Jester - featured on ITV's Britain's Favourite Dogs on Tuesday - has helped with taking out laundry, opening doors, answering the phone and picking up Jon's stick.

Jon added: "He's always with me wherever I go and he enjoys what he does for a living because he's a working dog.

"He's trained to enjoy it. He makes the things that I struggle with a lot easier."

Thanks to vital help from Jester, Jon was able to join Britain's archery squad for the Invictus Games. And while competing he became pals with its founder Prince Harry.
read more here

Suicide of Veteran may have changed future of UK PTSD veterans

It is said that things only change when something hits a politician personally. Looks like that just happened when one of the soldiers Price Harry served with committing suicide. Now the Daily Mail is trying to do something about changing the story from tragedy to offering hope of healing.

Tragedy of Harry's band of brothers: How battlefield trauma affected the soldiers the prince served with in Afghanistan - including one who killed himself
Daily Mail
Mark Nicol and Nick Craven
January 13, 2018

Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt is believed to have tragically died last week. It is said he struggled to cope with the effects of battlefield trauma. Since then two more members of Harry's desert reconnaissance unit have revealed they also suffered with serious mental health issues. The Mail on Sunday have launched a campaign to support them.

This is the elite band of brothers, including Prince Harry, that were sent on a top secret mission to take on the Taliban in one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan.

This is the elite band of brothers, including Prince Harry, that were sent on a top secret mission to take on the Taliban in one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan

Last week, The Mail on Sunday revealed how one of the courageous soldiers pictured here, Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, is believed to have tragically killed himself after struggling to cope with the effects of battlefield trauma.

Since then two more members of Harry’s desert reconnaissance unit have come forward to say they too have suffered serious mental health issues as a direct result of their harrowing experiences in the war zone.

This shocking revelation comes as The Mail on Sunday joins forces with Lord Dannatt, a former head of the British Army, in a campaign to dramatically improve the provision of mental healthcare for serving soldiers, a service which medical experts say is ‘on its knees’ due to spending cuts. read more here

Useless PTSD Treatment Taking More Lives in UK

Shell-shock 'suicide' of Harry's pal who beat Taliban bombs: Decorated British soldier who fought with the Prince in Afghanistan is found dead after complaining about the Army's 'useless' PTSD treatment
Daily Mail UK
By Mark Nicol for The Mail on Sunday
6 January 2018

Prince Harry served alongside Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, 39 in 2008 while on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Prince Harry spent two-and-a-half months in the deadly Helmand Province

Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, 39, from Lincoln was found dead last week
He had served in Afghanistan in a British Army desert reconnaissance unit
WO Hunt told a friend in the Royal Engineers he was struggling to cope
His role was to identify roadside bombs as they crossed Helmand Province

A decorated British soldier who fought alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan is believed to have killed himself after complaining to colleagues about the treatment he was receiving for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Married Warrant Officer Nathan Hunt, 39, was found dead last week after confiding to Royal Engineers colleagues that he was struggling to cope with the effects of battlefield trauma. He also described the care provided to him by the Army as ‘useless’.

The father-of-one protected Prince Harry when they belonged to a British Army desert reconnaissance unit. Warrant Officer Hunt’s highly dangerous role was to identify roadside bombs encountered by the elite force as they crossed Helmand Province on secret missions to ambush the Taliban.

But last night WO Hunt’s former colleagues accused the Ministry of Defence of letting him down. One said: ‘Nathan was a cracking bloke who saved a lot of lives in Afghanistan. He fought the demons in his head for years but it seems they won in the end. He said recently at a get-together for veterans that the care he was receiving for his condition was useless and he was thinking of getting out of the Army. read more here

Prince Harry "We're all human, we're not machines"

Prince Harry Opens Up About Stress of His Afghanistan War Service as He Visits Ambulance Crews
PEOPLE.com
BY SIMON PERRY
UPDATED FEBRUARY 2, 2017

“We’re all human, we’re not machines, despite a lot of people in certain jobs having to think and behave like machines in order to get the best out of you – I accept that – but it’s not weakness, it’s strength to be able to come forward, deal with it, move on and be a better person.” Prince Harry

Prince Harry spoke about the mental health challenges he faced while serving in Afghanistan as he met ambulance crews in London.

Recalling his days flying helicopters on his second tour, he said, “You land and then hand them over and then are radioed to do something else. You never find out how that guy or girl recovered, whether they did recover or they didn’t.”
read more here

UK PTSD Veteran: Eecognition That You Served Your Country Well

At last Harry hero gets his medal, all thanks to the Mail on Sunday: Veteran who served alongside the Prince in Afghanistan receives the award he should have had EIGHT years ago
Daily Mail
By NICK CONSTABLE FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY
15 October 2016

Mr Smith, 44, said: ‘I can’t thank The Mail on Sunday enough. I left the Army with undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and have had problems readjusting to civilian life. 'A lot of it stems from needing to feel valued and have recognition that you served your country well.

Served together: Prince Harry (left) is pictured with fellow soldiers including Sergeant Deane Smith (right) on his way into a church in Windsor for a remembrance service in 2008

An Army veteran who served alongside Prince Harry in Afghanistan has at last been given the service medal he should have received eight years ago – thanks to The Mail on Sunday.

Last week, this newspaper reported how Sergeant Deane Smith had lost a court battle for ownership of his Operational Service Medal.

It went missing shortly before it was due to be presented to him at a ceremony in 2008, at which the Prince and others who served with the Household Cavalry were given their honours.
read more here

Is Prince Harry Wrong on PTSD Medal?

Prince Harry is wrong to back call for all wounded troops to get new medal
Mirror UK
Rachael Bletchly
September 3, 2016

Rachael Bletchly writes for the Sunday People that, instead of gongs, our wounded deserve the best ­possible support when they leave the forces – medical and social care, housing and jobs

So a “wounded warrior” medal would surely be highlighting victimhood rather than extraordinary heroism.

Prince Harry is a champion of wounded troops

Since leaving the Army after ten years’ service Prince Harry has proved to be an admirable champion of our wounded ­military personnel.

His Invictus Games are inspiring, showing what servicemen and women can achieve despite appalling injuries.

And he’s joined forces with Michelle Obama and ex-President George Bush to highlight the ­hidden scars of post-traumatic stress disorder.

But now Harry is ­backing calls for ALL British troops who are wounded in action to be awarded a special medal, like the US Purple Heart.

Here in Blighty, cases of PTSD ­continue to rise – and the charity Combat Stress is worried.

Its medical director said recently: “It’s the tip of the iceberg. And if it is a big iceberg, we are going to be overwhelmed. We need funds, we need help, from any direction.”

So before we start handing out medals to our wounded warriors, let’s ­concentrate on helping those whose wounds still need tending.

Isn’t that a better way to honour them?
read more here

Prince Harry Says Get Help Quickly for PTSD

Prince Harry, former President Bush stress importance of healing invisible wounds
US Army
By Shannon Collins
May 10, 2016

Former President George W. Bush and Britain's Prince Harry discuss the topic of post-traumatic stress during the 2016 Invictus Games Symposium on Invisible Wounds in Orlando, Fla., May 8, 2016.

(DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

ORLANDO, Fla. (May 10, 2016) -- Great Britain's Prince Harry, former President George W. Bush, and service members from each of their nations led a discussion at the 2016 Invictus Games Symposium on Invisible Wounds presented, May 8, by the George W. Bush Institute.

Former First Lady Laura Bush said she and the Bush Institute leadership were grateful the symposium was addressing an issue that affects so many veterans, as well as their family members, many of whom become their caregivers.

"George and I are committed to caring for our veterans and their families through the Bush Institute," she said. "We celebrate the service and sacrifice of our veterans at the 100-kilometer bike ride we host at our ranch and at the Warrior Open, a competitive golf tournament held in Dallas. We listen to the warriors tell their stories -- their triumphs and their struggles. Through these testimonies, we've recognized that the invisible wounds are not treated in the same way as the visible wounds, and that's why we're here today, to educate more people about those invisible wounds."

GETTING HELP QUICKLY

Prince Harry said the Invictus Games in 2014 in London smashed the stigma around physical injuries, and that he hopes this year's Invictus Games can do the same for invisible injuries.

The prince, who served in Afghanistan as a combat helicopter pilot, recently acknowledged that he has post-traumatic stress to bring light to the importance of recognizing invisible injuries. He said the key to fixing the problem is speaking out and using the resources available.

"I've spoken to everybody who has severe PTSD, through to minor depression, anxiety, whatever it may be, and everybody says the same thing: if you can deal with it soon enough, if you deal with it quick enough and actually have the ability and platform to be able to speak about it openly, then you can fix these problems," he said. "If you can't fix them, you can at least find coping mechanisms. There's no reason why people should be hiding in shame after they've served their country."
read more here

President Bush and Prince Harry Talk About Invisible Wounds At Invictus

Bush, Prince Harry highlight invisible wounds at Invictus
Orlando Sentinel
Paul Brinkmann
May 8, 2016

Del Toro was burned severely over much of his body and lost fingers in 2005 in Afghanistan. But he said psychological wounds were also very real. He said the military and his health-care team treated his visible wounds, but "my family dealt with my invisible wounds."

Bush underscored a major theme of the day when he suggested dropping the D from the end of PSTD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). "We don't view it as a disorder we view it as an injury," Bush said during a panel discussion.

Britain's Prince Harry joined former President George W. Bush Sunday afternoon on Disney World property to present and showcase ideas on how society can help military personnel overcome mental and emotional wounds after returning from active service.

The event took place just before the official opening of the international Invictus Games for wounded warriors, which is taking place this week at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports. Brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and other "invisible" wounds were front and center.

The symposium brought a large international crowd to Disney's Shades of Green resort, an official U.S. Armed Forces Recreation Center Resort.

More than 500 competitors from 14 nations are competing in archery, cycling, indoor rowing, power lifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track and field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis.
read more here