"Our Son Joshua, Iraq Veteran" - READ THIS if you care about Iraq vet suicides.

[WilliamPitt]

Via email:

Dear IAVA Supporter,

On December 22, 2005, just a few months after returning from an eleven-month tour in Iraq, our son Joshua took his own life. Like so many of the brave men and women who have fought in these wars, Josh was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

We made a conscious decision not to stay silent about our son's death. Josh's aunt Julie established a memorial site for our son, and we've been working with the media and veterans organizations to make sure his story is heard. If these efforts save one life and keep one family from going through this great sorrow of loss, it is worth it.

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, which will mandate better suicide prevention training for VA staff, establish a referral system to make sure that vets at risk receive care and open a 24-hour veterans' suicide hotline. This bill has Josh's name on it, but represents so many men and women, before Josh and after, who were unable to live with the physical, emotional and psychological aftermath of their service for us.

Thank you so much for continuing to support IAVA and our young veterans. We would also like to thank Congressman Boswell for his steadfast work on presenting and assuring the passage of the Act in the House of Representatives.

It is now time to work on passage of the companion bill in the Senate, S.479 introduced by Senator Harkin. We're making progress, and it's time to get this bill into law, and get it out there so it can help those men, women and families that need it. Please call your Senators today, or send them a note, and tell them you support S.479. It is our duty and responsibility to do whatever we can to help our veterans survive the peace after their service.

Thank you.

Ellen and Randy Omvig
Parents of Spc. Joshua Omvig,
Iraq War Veteran

[crappyjazz]

1. Does anyone really understand

what these kids go through unless they've been there? the absolute deplorable treatment they face not only in the actual conflict, but in what they return to ... support the troops my ASS ... they are not being supported by this administration in any way shape or form ... if only a corporation existed that made money off of vet's treatment somehow would someone in that "white"house take notice and do something

[Jacobin]

2. What is really needed is a Disclosure Form for potential enlistees

It should be required reading and a three day waiting period before induction is legal.

Among other things, it should state the facts involved in joining the U.S. Military:

WARNING:
You are about to sign a binding contract, binding only upon you and not the government. If the recruiter told you that you can choose where you are stationed, or that you won't be deployed in a war zone, he is lying.

You are subject to be told to go to any country the commander in chief chooses and ordered to use deadly force against people who have not attacked you or your country for any number of reasons, including the theft of that country's resources. You may be put in a position of 'kill or be killed' and end up killing innocent men, women and children. The effects on your psyche will be devastating if you are a normal human being and you will be dealing with what you have done for the rest of your life with little or no help from the government. You face a greatly increased risk of drug addiction, alcoholism and homelessness as a result of being in the military.

If you lose some of your equipment, even in combat, you will be charged for it when you are discharged.

If you are discharged, you are still subject to being recalled again later.

You face a risk of being maimed or killed. The goverment's facilities and willingness to help you are limited and insufficient to treat most veterans.

If you are a woman, you face an increased risk of being raped by fellow soldiers and there is little you will be able to do about it.

If you are maimed, the procedure for getting a disability pension is such that you will likely be homeless and begging on the streets before you get it, IF you ever get it.

[reformed_military]

3. Come on...

N/T

[MLFerrell]

5. Come on what?

Everything in the post is 100% accurate as near as I can tell.

[Jacobin]

7. Feel free to make changes. I would like for it to be accurate

[ThomCat]

4. That seems pretty accurate, all things considered.

x(

[Morgana LaFey]

6. Hmm, that's one helluva LTE in the making

and/or letter to your elected representatives. Go for it! Deserves much wider circulation.

[Maraya1969]

8. You forgot dangerous toxins that can cause autoimmune system

disease and cancer.

[lizbitchwitchy]

9. Suicide prevention Don't mean

Boy, we are going to send you over to fight an illegal immoral War!
Suicide prevention don't mean
Boy, we are going to lie like hell to you too - and tell you that you will be met with open arms and it won't be long before you come home.
Suicide prevention don't mean
Boy, we are going to send you over there ill-equipped and understaffed
Suicide prevention don't mean
Boy, we aren't going to let you do just one round - we are going to make it 2 or 3 - and maybe even if you are injured - you still get to go back.
Suicide prevention don't mean
Boy, we are sending you over to win an un winnable war
Suicide prevention don't mean
Boy, we hope you like shooting innocent civilians and kids because that is what we will have you do.
Suicide prevention don't mean
Boy, we want you to aim and shoot at those peaceful protesters, the wedding party and those journalists from all over the world - but especially those american ones.
Suicide prevention don't mean
unarmored Humvee
Suicide prevention don't mean
selling ammo and arms to the enemy
Suicide prevention don't mean
halliburton is in charge and that is why you aren't getting fed and have to go easy on the water.
Suicide prevention don't mean
having the soldiers torture the detainees - and then letting them take the wrap for it.
Suicide prevention don't mean
Boy when you return home (if you return) we will have a whole lot of nothing waiting for you - no financial assistance, no job placement, no housing assistance, and no good rehabilitation to get you re-acclimated in society before dumping you there.
Suicide prevention don't mean
you get your medical care in some run down rat hole - with mold and roaches - and transient doctors so no one ever knows what in the hell is up with your situation.
No, Suicide prevention doesn't mean
Disrespecting the lives of innocent civilians threw the use of our soldiers and beating them down to near death
Suicide prevention don't mean
Senators, and congresspeople that you go around saying how much you god damned care - and everything you do proves you don't give a flying rat's ass about any of us - not the soldiers, not the innocent civilians in Iraq dying by the untold hundreds of thousands - It don't mean - we want to bring you home but we are going to let the war profiteers keep profiting off of you and all those other people's blood spill - THAT is NOT ANYWAY TO HELP treat suicidal tendencies.

May I suggest that both the Congress men and women and the Senators find themselves a class or two on what it is like to feel suicidal - and what the hell why don't they just go ahead and go threw with it - jump off that bridge, kick that stool out from under you, pull the trigger - Why don't you just strap a bomb on to your waist and go to work - SEE IF I CARE! We promise if your suicidal tendencies in the chambers of our congress get out of hand - We will all get together and see if there is anything we can do to help you guys - We promise you guys that we will CARE just like YOU CARE ABOUT us - our soldiers and all those innocent victims in Iraq! HOW IS THAT for fair?

I just LOVE the way that now after all they do to them in sending them over there - ill-equipped - to fight a war - (an illegal, immoral and un winnable one) - not once but many times - and give them nothing when they return and NOW they are going to worry about them preventing suicide - YEAH THEY ARE ALL ABOUT LIFE - up there on the hill - they are so damned moral and concerned with all of us down here with BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND that I just want to spit!

The Dems and the republicans DON'T give a crap about this war or stopping it or they would have by now. This has got to stop - LIKE NOW! This is total bullshit and everyone of you know it, too! I am sick of the excuses and I am sick of the lies and I am sick of this needless blood spill and what it is doing to this human race and all of us REGULAR people - you know, WE THE PEOPLE! So let's start acting LIKE WE THE PEOPLE and show this government Who is really the sovereign ones. The rest of the world is putting us to shame with there protests - TO SHAME! Sorry for the rant....I've literally HAD IT, Though.

[WilliamPitt]

10. .