My Worse Nightmare coming true

[Monkeyman]

I have a 20 year old Iraq vet with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Who now has orders to return to Iraq June 2nd. DOD Doctors claim he is fit. But the VA Executive Doctor said no way. But DOD is still going to send him. Tonight he was talking about suicide so I got him him a lock down ward at the VA. I am hoping this will keep him out of the War Zone . But I still think DOD will try to send him back. Got a call into local Congresswomen but she is a Replug. Judy Biggert) I called Durbin office hoping to hear back Monday. This My Brothers and Sisters is my worse nightmare working with these kids. Do Me A Favor give the Gods a prayer to keep him out of the sand pit.

[Donnachaidh]

1. How about calling Jack Murtha's office?

I don't live in his area, but I have called him in the past and his people are WONDERFUL. I think they would really try to help.

[Wiley50]

2. Oh Geez

Hope you made sure he checked into the lock down

Fuck thesze Repukes for what they've done

[Monkeyman]

6. I walk him to the ward

[MadMaddie]

3. Monkeyman..I will say prayers for this brother and for all of the

others suffering..and in harms way.

I will also give thanks to you for "fighting the fight" and helping our soldiars.

[napi21]

4. I know he's not in your State, but do you think it would help to call

Jack Murtha? He has been hammering this issue for a long time, and might be able to help you.

[Monkeyman]

5. Now That is a good Idea I send it to KO too

[aquart]

7. Who's Biggert's likely opponent in 2008?

Tell that one. Tell your hungriest local tv station or newspaper. It may be his privacy or his life.

[Monkeyman]

10. No One has put on run on her in six years

[Solly Mack]

8. All my best!

I know of several soldiers who were on suicide watch that were made to go anyway. :(

[jwirr]

23. I wonder just how many of our deaths over there are suicides? This

is unforgivable.

[in_cog_ni_to]

9. Surely Dick Durbin will help! Do you want me to email his office? I'm a constituent

so they DO accept my emails. If you PM me the name of the young man I can put another word in for him. IF you want me to, I will.:)

[rubberducky]

11. Ya know, back in the day when us (now old) hippies

were into the peace demonstrations, "our troops" did one tour. I was married to a Viet Nam vet that did one "tour". The scars were soul deep in these men. What in the hell will we be bringing home from Iraq, with the extended tours and multiple tours. There is not enough counseling in the universe to help them adjust to civilian life. My heart aches for them and thier families.IMHO We will be paying a heavy price for this fiasco for many, many years to come.

[Maraya1969]

12. How about he tells them he is gay? Or make sure he is in the hospital when he is supposed

to be deferred? Or go to Canada. It's good he is in the hospital now. It will help to keep him out of Iraq.

Please don't let he go.

[FloridaJudy]

13. Done

May he be safe.
May he be healthy.
May he be happy.
May he grow in understanding.

May all suffering from this war find healing.

[rosesaylavee]

14. How about Pat Quinn?

I bet he'd return your call this weekend if you could find his home phone.

Here's contact info from his website: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/contact/

[Monkeyman]

15. Sorry been on the phone got some help

The Brother from VVA Rick called his contact in Murtha office. Murtha called the VA got this kid on a 30 day watch. This will give us time to keep him at home. Thank God! Thank all of you for the support . I needed it tonight.

[Cults4Bush]

17. That is wonderful!

We'll keep a candle lit tonight and keep him in our hearts over the next month hoping for more good news....and hey! Great job!

[Madspirit]

19. Excellent Monkeyman!

I'm glad you got him some help. I hope he never has to go back. It's ridiculous.

Lee

[Cabcere]

21. Well done, Monkeyman.

My thoughts and prayers will be with that young veteran, and the thousands like him who deal with shit like this every day. And God bless you for working so hard to get these kids the care they need and deserve...just from reading your posts I can tell how much you care, and it's really inspiring to me. :hug: :patriot: Thank you for all that you do.

[FloridaJudy]

27. There *are* heroes!

You're one of them, Monkeyman. So are Rick and Murtha.
I'm proud to share this planet with you.
Well done.

[madrchsod]

31. back in the day the left certainly did`t have any use

for murtha now the left has to give him a salute....

[EFerrari]

35. Thank you, Monkeyman.

:hug: and strength

[in_cog_ni_to]

37. That's GREAT news!

:thumbsup:

[fortyfeetunder]

42. Good news

I was getting depressed reading that post, now elated the young man can get the help he needs.

:hug:

[NMDemDist2]

43. excellent news Monkeyman

:yourock:

Poor kid and the thousands of others just like him. I keep them in my thoughts and prayers daily.

[TacticalPeek]

44. Bravo!

:kick:

[Eurobabe]

45. Excellent news, that poor young man

I can't imagine. Keep him safe.

[pberq]

71. Good news! - will keep him in my thoughts and prayers

[spoony]

74. You're saving a life, bless you a million times over for your efforts.

[rasputin1952]

16. My thoughts and prayers are w/you and yours...

may this pass favorably for all...O8)

[KT2000]

18. May we keep him

and all others in his position, safe and HOME!

[emald]

20. I'm an old broken down guy

but maybe I can go and take his place? I sure would if I could. This is some sick shit, sending sick folks back to fight.

[ClayZ]

22. Lighting a candle on the Left Coast

For Monkeyman and your brave young man. Please tell him we love him!

S

[bonito]

24. Your one hell of an advocate Monkeyman

If there is a here after I imagine there will be a place for you.
And if not, you are a bright star for all of humanity, and I salute you! :yourock:

[waiting for hope]

25. This is so tragic - I'm happy Murtha's

office did the right thing. Keep doing what you're doing, what you do does make a difference...hopefully this nightmare will be over soon. O8)

[Cha]

26. This is a fucking nightmare!

Don't they have any healthy kids who want to go over and get their big combat pay and let the sick ones stay home?!

[Zookeeper]

69. Yes, how about Karl Rove's 19 year old son?

And then there's always Jenna and not-Jenna Bush.

[Ilsa]

75. Yep, the twins, their boyfriends, the twins' cousins, especially that

little shit at UT Austin that likes being in front of a camera, all of the Young Republicans at every college across the US.

[madrchsod]

28. that`s fucking bad

not one more needs to die for this mother fucker`s war...not one more.

[ismnotwasm]

29. Good Job Monkeyman

You have all my best wishes, thought, vibes, prayers--whatever it takes.

[Bucky]

30. The problem with your worst nightmare is....

...the ceiling is too low. What you're witnessing is the tip of the iceberg; a mere hint at the disasters unfolding because of the perfect storm between the surge, the duration of the war, and reduced recruitment numbers. I suggest you make room in your dreams for some bigger nightmares. They are coming our way.
.

[Morgana LaFey]

32. Oh, bless you, bless you, bless you

Thank GOD there's someone out there trying to help a few of our kids.

[OzarkDem]

33. He can stay with me

I'll try to hide him, we live next to a national forest area. I'm serious, its time we start taking people out of harm's way if needed.

[EFerrari]

34. Call the press. Have the OP sent out. Enough, already.

I will work this with you, if you want. PM me if you feel like it, Monkeyman. This is a crime.

:nuke:

[proud patriot]

36. My prayers are with him

:hug:

[mopinko]

38. call jan schakosky's office.

not your congress critter, but maybe she can do something. she is mine. if you pm me some info, i will call her monday morning, as well.

[Tom Joad]

39. GI RIGHTS hotline! 800 394 9544 Consider all the options. Including AWOL

These are choices he will have to make on his own... but there is support out there, and we will not let him down. He has more choices than he thinks.

Refusing is one option. But there are other options as well.

http://girights.objector.org/

[madfloridian]

40. I so admire what you do for our veterans.

Thanks so much.

That is a heartbreaking story.

[usregimechange]

41. That should never happen

[Recursion]

46. If you can, get him an independent psych eval NOW

Not to scare you, but I saw too many brothers and sisters in arms wrecked by DoD sending them back when the docs said no. Sad and stupid as it is, they'll listen to a high-priced shrink faster than they'll listen to their own docs.

God damn these chickenhawks who don't know the meaning of brotherhood or valor...

[RedCappedBandit]

47. why dont you support the troops?

:sarcasm:

[Maru Kitteh]

48. Call EVERYONE, and then call them again.

And again.

Call every news outlet for 700 miles.

Call CNN

Call Anderson Cooper

Call Keith Oberman

Call Joe Scarborough

Call The Weather Channel

Call CBS

Call ABC

Call NBC

Find out who the parents are and let them know you just want to help, and be there to help.

[nadinbrzezinski]

49. call Filner ASAP

[flyarm]

50. CALL KERRY AND MURTHA!!!! DAMN!..EOM

[bigtree]

51. for him and the others . . .

[babylonsister]

52. Oh, Mm, I am so sorry to hear this.

I am very happy you're there helping him, and hope some sanity prevails. :hug:

[zippy890]

53. 20 years old and suicidal

from the war.

:cry:

my heart goes out to him and all the other walking wounded, their families and friends.

I have a 21 year old son. This is making me cry.

kick for you monkeyman and what you are doing, stay strong and keep doing what your doing, we are here to help if we can.

:dem:

[Monkeyman]

54. Thanks DU He is safe for now

Long night but he is on a 30 day watch. Four Congress men and women are helping all Democrats Murtha is the lead. We have two Doctors from the out side given a report. I am sure they cannot send him back now. Thank You Your Support helped me stay focus. I need some food. I will keep all of you updated on this matter. His Wife just reminded me she gives you all hugs and you will stay in her prayers. Strong Lady .

[Pharaoh]

55. Canada n/t

[porphyrian]

56. Hang in there. - n/'t

[KharmaTrain]

57. Please Keep This Illinois DU'er Updated...

If there's a way to PM the info here...this person needs to have his story heard.

I'd definitely suggest you call several local media outlets...most notably the Daily Hearld (who has been anti-war...and even endorsed Kerry in '04)...i'm sure they'd be interested in this story. Also, I'd put a call in to the assingment editors or whatever "desk" you can get to at the Tribune and Sun-Times as well as the major TV stations.

Lastly, I'd put in a call to Tammy Duckworth at the Illinois Dept. Of Veterans...see what advice or contacts she may have or see if you can get Blago and the state media on this story.

Again...please keep me posted about what happens here...and how we can help this young man in his real hour of need.

Cheers...

:toast:

[GliderGuider]

58. War Resisters Support Campaign

http://www.resisters.ca/

The War Resisters Support Campaign is a broad-based coalition of community, faith, labour and other organizations and individuals that have come together to support U.S. soldiers seeking asylum in Canada because they refuse to fight in the illegal war in Iraq.

The Campaign works on two fronts: we support the material needs of war resisters when they arrive in Canada; and we campaign to persuade the Canadian government to provide sanctuary for U.S. war resisters.

[roody]

59. The young man MUST go AWOL!!!

[Hissyspit]

60. Of course they want to send him back. We're running out of cannon fodder.

The people who are in charge of things are insane. The intermediates feel powerless. And the American people enabled them all.

I hope things work out for him though. Thanks for your work, Monkeyman.

[suziedemocrat]

61. Yes - but Republicans protect the lives of the unborn!

may seem like sarcasm - but that's how some of my strict Catholic relatives actually think.

These people are so EVIL!!!!!!!

[go west young man]

62. Forget that military obligation, forget patriotism, forget what people think.

There's a country up North called Canada. Put your time and money into it and get your son the elp he needs. The gamble is worth it in the long run. At least your son will still be alive and have a chance at a healthy life.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

63. Prayers for you

and all who have fought.

Have you taked with Obama's office? Surely both of your Senators would be willing to help.

[AtLiberty]

64. You should contact Tammy Duckworth...

Sorry if this is a repeat message. I haven't read all the responses.

Contact Duckworth first thing Monday morning. I think her office is in Chicago.

[skorpo]

65. Tammy Duckworth Contact info

CONTACT INFORMATION

Springfield Office
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
833 South Spring Street
P.O. Box 19432
Springfield, IL 62794-9432
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Chicago Office
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
JRTC
100 West Randolph, Suite 5-570
Chicago, IL 60601-3219
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Director

Springfield [phone]
Chicago [phone]

L. Tammy Duckworth is the Director.

I pray that she can help.

[Baltimore]

70. Wonderful

Monkeyman, you're absolutely wonderful. I'm sure all the suggestions these folks have given you are good ones.

[Kazak]

66. I'm *hoping* for him.

:)

[colorado_ufo]

67. Please add my prayers to yours.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

68. i'm anti-prayer, but I agree with the goal.

monkeyman, I'm an illinoisy folk, and I am loud. If you want a written petition, or help, let me know through PM.

[AnnieBW]

72. Wow...

Sending a prayer to the warrior Gods and Goddesses for your vet.

[JeffR]

73. I pray for him, and everyone who wears the uniform under this phony regime

God help them all, and may God help America rid itself of this bunch of crooks, if there is a God.

[Ilsa]

76. Threads like this make me proud to be a part of DU. Hugs to you

all and to the patient and his wife. Bless them.

[vickitulsa]

77. Glad you were there and ready to take the steps necessary, Monkeyman.

There is just no way that every soldier who is in a similar situation and suicidal or otherwise desperate about it has someone who will step in and help them deal with the decisions they must make, however.

I worry daily about all those who are forced to go back or even go for the first time. Just a couple of weeks ago, we learned that another NG unit from Oklahoma is going to be shipped out to Iraq for the first time -- and it created quite a stir here. Even in redneck, conservative-minded Oklahoma, people are sick to death of the sickness and death that are taking our young citizens away and not giving them back in good condition.

I'm feeling these days like more and more of our service members are going through crises like the draftees and other recruits during Vietnam did. As someone pointed out, then they at least only had one tour of duty to serve unless they opted to go back -- which many did, as I'm sure you know, but sometimes for reasons that should have concerned people.

And they are reasons that I am hearing again today from Iraq and Afghanistan vets. Namely, to get back with their units and friends there and help keep them safe because veterans of previous tours "know the ropes" there and how to teach them to others that are new to the mad scene in the sand pit.

Also some just don't feel like they're fully "fitting in" once they get back, and after a few months back at home, they are willing to volunteer for another tour in Iraq just to feel like they're "among their own" again.

It's even occurred to me that as the wars of Bu$hCo drag on but become ever more unpopular with the people in this country -- the majority of people here now -- some of the returning vets may start to feel they are reliving the Nam vets' nightmare of being unwelcome back at home due to their participation in the war nobody loves anymore.

Even though they receive a lot more support in general, I think, than the Nam vets did, still they might sense that civilians here are looking at them a strange way, wondering how many people they've killed, as people used to ask the Nam vets, and if they're going to crack up and become violently dangerous at any moment.

The sad truth is, as much as these vets need to have their stories told to wake up everyone to their -- well, plight, I guess I'd have to call it -- still, the more stories folks hear of any of them having major difficulties adjusting or becoming suicidal or even homicidal, then the chances increase that more of them might feel they're turning into pariahs.

No amount of yellow ribbon magnets on cars will be convincing to them when they encounter real life situations where they get feedback that they are scary to some people OR that folks aren't looking them in the eyes because they remind us of the war we hate. That's how it was during Vietnam, as I remember it.

A person doesn't need to be taunted or shunned outright and blatantly in order to sense that s/he is not trusted or welcome to "marry into the family."

Already some Iraq vets I know find they only feel totally comfortable around other military folks or families because they KNOW everyone hates this war.

People like you, Monkeyman, and each of us and plenty of others, must be ready to act as you did and in every other small way we can to help this latest crop of wounded and traumatized vets coming home. And like with your young man in the OP, we have to keep in mind that many if not most wounds they have might not be visible ones.

I'll be wishing the best for your young vet, Monkeyman, and doing whatever I can for all of them. So glad you were there for this one -- as I'll bet you are for many others. Good job! And remember to take care of your own emotional needs as you get involved in cases that deplete your reserves and stamina.

Sometimes we forget that part. :hug: