Today's Army Times mailbag

[unhappycamper]

The first LTTE really caught my eye:

VETS CAN LEND SUPPORT

I am growing more concerned with the psychological well-being of our soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Even in the rural areas we are seeing suicides and attempted suicides increase.

What these soldiers have seen and been involved in has changed them and will affect them forever. I am a senior vice commander at our local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, and I am suggesting we supply the local Guard command with a list of combat veterans who have been in the same situations. They can discuss how they have handled their feelings and issues in hopes of helping new soldiers cope with their own issues.

What I have heard is some are afraid that if they go through military channels for help it might hurt their careers. Others think people will think they are insane, and don’t want to upset family members.

Some people want to blame the military for not making enough of a commitment to helping. Well, they do what they can with the information they get from the soldiers. What I want to see is our veterans’ organizations reach out to our soldiers and help them. Give them a number of a friend — someone who can remain faceless on the other end of a phone, or meet with them if they want.

They say it takes a community to raise a child. I say it takes a nation to heal a soldier.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/community/opinion/army_opinion_vets_022309/%2e

[tsuki]

1. K&R