Montana Model for Assessing Returning Vets for PTSD and TBI

[Wetzelbill]

Montana is becoming a model state for assessing its returning combat vets for PTSD and TBI.

Following the suicide two years ago of a recently deployed combat vet, Montana has become a model for accessing and assisting veterans who show symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). While the plan doesn't go nearly far enough, it's one that I understand the Obama administration is seriously considering for nationwide implementation - and it would be an excellent first step.

Montana's reforms started after Chris Dana, a specialist with the 163rd Infantry of the Montana National Guard, returned from combat, began isolating himself from family and friends, and quit attending Guard drills. His commanders told him to get his act together or they'd run him out of the Guard. Dana received a less-than-honorable discharge a few months later and put a bullet through his brain on March 4, 2007. That occurred as I was flying to New York City to help judge the Pulitzer Prizes at Columbia University; after I got back to Montana, I've covered this story ever since.

In a highly patriotic state - Montana has the second-highest ratio of vets in its population, trailing only Alaska - Dana's suicide was an outrage. His stepbrother Matt Kuntz, a former Army officer and attorney in Helena, stirred the pot with angry guest editorials in Montana's newspapers.

http://www.truthout.org/021809A

[Ptah]

1. Thanks for this

I'm not surprised that Montana is doing this.

[Wetzelbill]

2. Not a surprise considering the demographics

and the governor. Big military state for sure, I know so many people in the military or who served. I almost did myself but I failed my physical because of sports injuries.

[Ptah]

3. Off topic - The best polictical speech of the campaign ---->

Brian Schweitzer Speaks at DNC - Part 2

[Wetzelbill]

4. oh that was just awesome

[havocmom]

5. The Crow People welcome their warriors home with real class and caring too.

Meeting them at the airport with tradition.

Wild Bill, when a local lad here where I live died (early in the war), the Crow People worked very hard to find a round-about way to prove that he, through his mother's family (blue eyed blonds all) were actually part of the Crow Nation. They had his parents as special guests in a ceremony honoring fallen warriors. It meant more than his mom could ever express, but those of us who care about her know it did something profound for her and started her on her way to healing. She will never get over the loss of her son, but that ceremony and the 'family' she didn't know she had sure as hell gave her strength and perspective. They gave her an inner pride that led to as much acceptance as one could ever hope for. They honored her son as warrior and honored her and his father with genuine love, acceptance, reverence.

May we all find we have such 'distant family' when we face loss so terrible we doubt we will ever smile again. The results were evidence of very big medicine.