After Iraq: Guardsman finds it hard to put horrors behind him (xpost from Veterans)

[unhappycamper]

After Iraq: Guardsman finds it hard to put horrors behind him
BY C. DAVID KOTOK
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
August 12, 2007


Snipers, mortar attacks, roadside bombings. The soldiers from the Nebraska Army National Guard's Troop A, 1st Squadron, 167th Cavalry survived it all during a year in the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi, Iraq. Last summer, the soldiers came home. After a quick round of medical exams and paperwork, they were back with families, back to regular jobs. But scars remain as some soldiers struggle with problems afflicting thousands of Iraq vets. They fight post-traumatic stress and lingering brain injuries. Some abuse alcohol. Others seek out danger to revive the excitement of combat. For the past year, The World-Herald has chronicled seven soldiers' return to civilian life. This week, we're sharing their stories


RAND ISLAND, Neb. - When Joel Hestermann returned after a year in Iraq, counselors at the Army's Camp Shelby, Miss., warned him to get help.

~snip~

The 5-foot-6 fireplug of a man, who can bench press 365 pounds, is tough.

But he realizes today that his toughness wasn't enough to fight off the war's effects. The counselors' warnings he scoffed at ring true.

First, Hestermann was diagnosed last winter with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, an anxiety disorder. That helped explain the nightmares, depression and sleeplessness.

Then, a brain scan found black spots left from internal bleeding, which explained the headaches. Doctors call it traumatic brain injury. It's caused by shock waves from a nearby explosion.

His marriage to Jennifer is on the rocks. He moved out months ago. The new motorcycle was sold to help pay the bills and keep his two children in their house.


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uhc note: This is one of the things that will be affecting 500,000 soldiers over the next generation.

[Mythsaje]

1. This is what war does...

Something the people keep forgetting over and over and over again. Not like our media or politicians seem to want to remind them.

I guess that's what people like us are here for.

Not like they actually listen.

[anniebelle]

2. Unfortunately, the ravages of war do not end when it's over.

My father died in WWII when I was only 4 months old, so I never got to see him, but my life has been a life from hell for these past 63 years. My mother never remarried. She was a very religious person and went to her grave 3 years ago clutching his picture, a picture of a fine young man -- 28 years old, trumpet player, loved his two children -- my brother is 2 years older than me. Well, to make a long story short, we both turned to alcohol as we grew older as our reliever. My mother's "friends" and my uncle had their "way" with me from since I can remember, maybe starting as early as 3. I cry every day I see another family losing their mother or father. It hurts for a LONG, LONG time.

[peacetalksforall]

3. And yet we glorify war. Perhaps more damage to our country

than we can imagine descended on us following WWII. Rah-rah for the soldiers and rah-rah sought by the soldiers. We were led to believe we were superior because we saved the world. Duty was exploited in the last half of the century. And all the movies, all the biographies, all the testimonies, all the novels did not turn us around and face us toward peace - invinvibly, we offered up our boys for more - with constant fer fed to us.

Brainwashing. We have been and are drowning in brainwashing in this country.

With money at the heart of it - not the glory of man - not the flag.

I'm sorry you didn't know your father and for the abuse that came down on you.

[annabanana]

4. k&r. . . . .

There are not sufficient provisions ready for these men. The longer that we're there, the more we will have to atone for.