Star-Telegram: A war within (comment: a good read on vet problems)

[unhappycamper]

A war within
By Chris Vaughn
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Posted on Sun, Jun. 26, 2005

BROWNWOOD - Pfc. Jacob Hounshell wrote his goodbye on notebook paper, wrapped it around a photo of himself in uniform, left it on his bed and climbed into his pickup. He was supposed to be heading back to Fort Hood. But he had no plans to make it that far. He'd already figured out what he would do -- drive as fast as he could into an oncoming 18-wheeler. Less than three months after returning from a 14-month hitch in Iraq, Hounshell had come undone.

<snip>

Hounshell's problems began after he returned to Texas in late February. He couldn't sleep, often wandering through Killeen's all-night Wal-Mart. He had panic attacks and sometimes exploded in anger at the slightest change in plans. He played chicken with other drivers on Central Texas highways.

When he asked the Army for help, he said, he was greeted mostly with indifference.

<snip>

One in six soldiers and Marines reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression or anxiety after deployment in Iraq, according to researchers at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Maryland. The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine last summer.

MORE
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/11990650.htm

[rateyes]

1. I think Jacob, and all the others who have committed suicide

as a result of this war ought to be added to the "casualty count." Killed by "friendly?" fire.



:cry:

[unhappycamper]

2. Along with PTSD-induced suicides, divorce rates within the military

are soaring. Our soldiers are getting screwed on virtually every level in every conceivable way.

[Midnight Rambler]

3. Why does the Star-Telegram hate our troops?

Every good patriotic 'Murkin knows that PTSD is a lie of the liberal media.

In all seriousness, this just goes to show the obscene hypocrisy of "Support Our Troops." Send them off to die, and throw the survivors under the bus when they need help the most.