Paul Reickhoff: The war casulties you won't hear about

[illinoisprogressive]

wonderful post about the suicides of vets coming back from the Iraq war.
I personally think they should be counted in the casulties. Afterall, they died because of the war.





"Jeffrey Lucey (1981-2004)
Joshua Omvig (1983-2005)
Jonathan Schulze (1981-2007)

Like countless others, each of these young men served honorably in Iraq, but came home unable to cope with their memories of combat. Each one sought help from the military or from the Department of Veterans Affairs. But in each case, the hospital was overbooked, the counselors didn't listen, or the bureaucracy moved too slowly.
Only months after their return from war, each of these young heroes committed suicide.

How did this happen? Simply because the veterans' support system is overwhelmed. Over 50,000 Iraq veterans have already been diagnosed with PTSD. Tens of thousands are waiting for VA appointments. One-third of Vet Centers (walk-in counseling clinics for combat veterans and their families) lack adequate counseling staff. Even a VA official has admitted that waiting lists render mental health and substance abuse care "virtually inaccessible."

I'd like to share the story of a friend of mine that experienced the failings of the current system first-hand. Drew Brown served as a Sergeant First Class training Iraq's soldiers in Fallujah, Taji, Baghdad and Baquba. Like Joshua Omvig, Jeffrey Lucy, and Jonathan Schulze, Drew struggled to readjust when he came home and he sought help.

Now, Drew has bravely offered to share his story in the hopes of helping other Iraq veterans hold on long enough to get the care they need -- and of spurring action in Washington to make sure no more Iraq veterans fall through the cracks:"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-rieckhoff/veterans-suicides-the-w_b_49018.html

[wildbilln864]

1. K&R! n/t

[bonito]

2. Again, when a post like this one gets one hundred votes

The end of the killing is near, imho

[Monkeyman]

3. K&R