So this weekend I was watching True Life: I Have PTSD and I found it all very disturbing.
I mean you read about it, you hear about it, you know what it is, but often times until we sit down to "smell the coffee/roses" as they say, you don't take time to register some things and how they affect you or those around you.
After watching the show I felt so sorry for these young boys, and I say boys because they're so young and still have so much of their life ahead of them how can I call them grown men. They're only grown men by the sacrifices that they've made for this country.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not for the war at all and yes many of these soldiers are not under duress when they sign up, but the fact that they have the guts to sign up in the first place, well I have to support them when it's time to come home.
What moved me while watching the show was the fact that no one's here when they come home to support them. Why are they coming home and having to create their own support groups and figure out by themselves how to assimilate? What went wrong? Who dropped the ball?
When the show was over I asked myself why can't they (?) match dollar for dollar the expense of the war for "after war care"? If the war cost tax payers X Billion dollars, why can't the government shell out matching X Billion to help these soldiers when they come home?
Heck if the government can't afford it, I'm willing to check a box and pay the extra matching dollar they take from me to fund the war to fund the after war.
Ok so I just realized my legs are dangling from this soap box that I some how climbed up on and stayed so long I had to sit down before my legs buckled. I'm climbing down now...but you know I couldn't come back to the blog world all willy nilly, something had to move me to push me back, even if work is still looming as I type.
I agree with you 120%, though I haven't seen the show yet its downright awful the lack of support they receive once returning from war. Both of my parents are veterans who thankfully never served in war time but work in veteran services now and the depth of physical and mental issues faced by those who return from war is a neverending pit(studying the rates of homelessness and perpetual mental illness just from vietnam is scary, Iraq is going to take things to another level I'm afraid). I worry for all of these new veterans because the fragile human psyche really isn't made to endure some of the extreme travesties they've been exposed to.
ReplyDeleteMy son, you know, just came home from Iraq in June. I've talked to many of his friends, and watched and listened closely as they go through a rollercoaster of emotions. Though he's given me permission to write, I haven't yet...I feel like I'm still watching him unfold. Aggressive and looking for a fight at one point, to a kneejerk desire for stability and someone to marry. Bought a sports car, sold it for a pickup truck.
ReplyDeleteWe talk often, I ask him about PTSD. Even if there is help for these guys, struggling with coping is severely frowned up on by one's comrades. My son tells me "yes, I have nightmares, but so what? You have nightmares about spiders, mom."
I remain tuned in. I suspect this will be my next cause.
I've missed your posts!!! Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100% I feel so sorry for those suffering and getting next to or NO support from our government!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back. You were missed!
Yes We Can!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think I may have seen that show or something similar. I also wonder why there are no resources available for these brave young men and women. It is really unfortunate since they risk their lives to protect our country.
ReplyDeleteWe can only give lip service to their needs. They can only be helped by others who have the same experiences. If you have not seen the move HOME OF THE BRAVE you must. I believe it shows the different ways our men and women experience their homecoming.
ReplyDeleteMy 30 year Navy man is still coming out of his fog and those that help him are those who have been there. Also, all returning vets are not junkies or alcoholics or suffering from PTSD but we tend to believe that they are.
When we gather for Ron's ship reunions we are surrounded by men and women who are members of society with jobs and children and grandchildren and most of them returned from Vietnam only to be spit upon.
"Nilly willy" --love it. Hey, you being vocal is OK--it shows you care SAHM!
ReplyDeleteThere are, thank God, quite a few non profits and churches that do give post war care to veterans. I'm sure you can find one or two in your area too. Also, of course, there are care packages and such to encourage them when away from home and in the fight.
I am always so humbled and honoured when I se a military person in full garb. They are so brave and their families too sacrifice so much for us here. We have a huge debt to pay. I always jsut go up to them at the store of wherever and say, thank you for your service. but, it never feels like enough.
Anyway, "muffin," good to have you back.
But it's an excellent soap box to be on. Think of all the money we spend on useless studies and pork barrel projects and it only takes a moment to realize that money would be far better spent on those who volunteered to fight.
ReplyDeletewow....you are so right on!!!!! Thanks for sharing you thoughts!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteITA with you. My husband is a vet currently being treated for PTSD (among other things), so this is our every day life. BTW, welcome back.
ReplyDeleteMembers of my close family suffer from PTSD from the Gulf War, Vietnam, and Korea and it is really downplayed by everyone from the media to the VA.I need our veterans to get better care and much more respect.
ReplyDeleteSidenote: I am SO, SO addicted to True Life!
Hey Melanie,
ReplyDeleteFor Montessori materials, check out this link:
http://www.montessorimaterials.org/
sorry to place this here, didn't see your direct email.
Thanks for stopping by,
Alycia in Va.
My father was a veteran of WW 2. I know he must have had PTSD. My mother told me so much about what happened when he returned, after over 2 years in the Pacific, and the nightmares that continued, I'm sure, through all the years of his life. I don't think they had a name for it, then. The troops of WW 2 were welcomed home with open arms, by everyone, so the situation was different, in that aspect. But many, like my father, carried unseen scars, the rest of their lives.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post.
Thank you for stopping by the Back Porch, today. It was good seeing you!
I wasn't sure if you had posted, I reluctantly checked - and I am happy I did.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you - I joined the Air Force and realized one thing when you sign up - you don't expect anything that happens to you. I think most of the stress comes from the letdown that your government is not really supporting you.
So no, they didn't sign up under duress, but they did sign up wanting to be an ambassador of their country - how little we see the goodwill returned to those brave men and women.
I also do not support war, but I support our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers that really do need the government they fight for to care about PTSD.
It is great that churches, neighborhoods, etc. reach out - but their bosses (the USA) should, like you said, have a fund for their "after war care".
Wonderful post - you made me get on my own soap box... legs buckling, jumping off.
Monique
i agree totally Mel... it is sad to see people who have served our country left worse for the vey act of service!
ReplyDelete