Tuesday May 29, 2007, 9:02 am
The Department of Defense would not want the public to know so many veterans commit suicide because then nobody would want to join the military any longer and go to these corporate-sponsored events called wars.
Let us not forget that PTSD, and other trauma to the mind also contributes to depression and suicidal actions. Something to do with combat and all that death. It kind of gets to people who actually have to live through it.
I wonder what would happen if a son or daughter of someone important killed themselves after serving in the military-oh wait, that never happens, they are too good to serve in the wars their daddy's and mommy's start.

Wednesday May 30, 2007, 6:58 am
I guess the death of a depressed and distraught Veteran is less compelling news than Lindsey Lohan in Rehab or about a bird who likes watching TV. Man, we really have not come far since Vietnam.....

Wednesday May 30, 2007, 7:26 am
Daniel,
You are right. It is time for the people to wake up! and realize that no cause is more important than saving our planet and all it's inhabitants from the ignorance of war.
The governments are spending billions on real and possible war, while our educational and social systems fail, our societies are sucked into the negative behaviors it encourages, our environment is destroyed, our people killed and made to suffer. The 'news' is just an emotional rollercoaster to keep us hopping, and keeping us from focusing on stopping what is quickly turning into WWIII.

Wednesday May 30, 2007, 7:34 am
Veterans' groups and families who have lost loved ones say the number of troops struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health issues is on the increase and not enough help is being provided by the Pentagon and the Veterans Affairs Department.

Thanks Daniel L, such a shame and so tragedic. My sympathy goes out to the young soldiers and their families. And as you said this is not an idealogical concern only but a concern for all. But please allow me to say, I think it is such a shame that us, U.S. are so patriotic and support our troops, then us send them off to a deceptive and ill conceived war to suffer and die. U.S. are so patriotic supporting our young soliders in this deception to make the old men power brokers, BigOil and the war profiteers billions. But unfortunately the most of us forget to support our youngsters that come home wouned, maimed, and mentally upset to say the least. If us so patriotically support our troops bring them home from this prearranged hell hole. Thanks you for your concern and bringing this unsettling story to light so that many of us might wake up.

Wednesday May 30, 2007, 7:45 am
This statement tells it all about how much Bush and Co. really care about our troops: [More than four years into the war, the government has little information on suicides among Iraq war veterans.

"We don't keep that data," said Karen Fedele, a VA spokeswoman in Washington. "I'm told that somebody here is going to do an analysis, but there just is nothing right now." ]

They (the troops) are merely an means to their misguided end. We must support our troops and not blame them for the actions of the executive branch. It is tragic that this rudimentary information to follow the human effects of war is simply not gathered. The reason for this must be that no one in a position of authority has asked/wants to know. Thanks for the post and noted.

Wednesday May 30, 2007, 10:45 am
ARRRGGGHHHHHH!!! Okay . . . this is akin to the "non-reporting" of Iraqi deaths that we weren't "tracking" at the beginning of the war when Rumsfeld was at DOD . . . changing all the rules for enlistement, re-enlistment, and extending tours of duty, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera . . . AD NAUSEUM!!!

Thanks Daniel; this is just plain wrong; and I agree with you that they don't want the general public to know about how many come back with PTSD and its contributions to suicides; moreover, they also don't want people to know that if you can't handle it, you turn into a "Sh**bag" as far as your fellow troops and commanders are concerned!!!

I do take issue with one point though . . . there ARE some sons/daughters of Congressional members that are fighting in the war; I believe that Senator Biden has(d) his son there, and I know of another Congressional member that does (though I can't recall the name!). Moreover, even though I do it reluctantly as I don't think he would EVER be put out into the open where he could be a casualty . . . but Senator Lindsey Graham is still in the Guard and recently served for a time in Iraq (though we all know that it wasn't, as I said, doing a walkabout through Baghdad!!!).

It's one of the most heartbreaking things to see, because they are NOT making it any easier. To me, it also equates with the fact that Bush doesn't bother to even show up at Dover to meet the incoming troops who have made the greatest sacrifice!!! Nor did they want the media there as it's not good for enlistment if the caskets are daily rolled out for all to see. This, to me, is one of the greatest insults of all!!! The fact that WE, THE PEOPLE, the true government of this Country (barely at this point I admit), do not get to show our respect for them; we don't get to "feel" that loss . . . however, on the other hand, we note that those "whackos" (sorry all!!!) that went about protesting at soldier's funerals calling them murderors were allowed to do so. This outraged me so much that I had to go bang my head against the wall!!! LOL Seriously, what right? That is NOT free speech (okay . . . technically it is); it is DISRESPECT for those who died to give them the right to stand there and speak and spread their HATRED!!!

Boots my pal . . . you are absolutely correct about DOD and VA not providing the necessasry help that troops need for dealing with PTSD; as I stated, they are most often ostracised from their unit and command due to it!!! And we do need to provide that support if they aren't going to and I know that here in WA we are; not only that, there is a CO who is going out and educating and talking to troops letting them know it's OK!!! He's suffered from it.

It's unnatural for us to kill and maim; it's one of the reasons for anthropomorphism . . . if we give feelings and intelligence to animals, that puts them "equal" . . . or on par, with us and therefore we can't face what we do to them when it's cruel and inhumane!!! There is good news however, as I know that there ARE studies going on; Mary . . . give it some time and the publications will come to show the data . . . particulary as more of these soldiers are able to get the assistance and help they need to deal with the trauma and horror of what they have seen, felt, heard . . . and witnessed.

Thanks Daniel! =)

Wednesday May 30, 2007, 11:04 am
From personal experience I can report that the government cares little about those who have served and have life long personal trauma from that service. Those who are post combat are "nonexistent" to the VA and other government agencies created to protect them. If you look at local soup kitchens you will find many vets who fell between the cracks--big cracks. They are not emotionally able to assimilate into a post service community or just broke because of lack of financial support from the service. How can we ask young people to serve their country if we offer nothing in return and no support for their return ?

Wednesday May 30, 2007, 4:44 pm
Thank you Daniel for this enlighting story.

Wednesday May 30, 2007, 4:56 pm
Thanks for posting this Daniel...my Brother-in Law David was a very sensitive person...all about helping other people....he went into the Army, became a Medic, then was sent to Viet Nam....when he returned he was so traumatized by his experiences in Viet Nam that he committed suicide....His Name will Never Appear on that Memorial Wall in Washington DC....but the War in Viet Nam KILLED him.

Wednesday May 30, 2007, 9:47 pm
Thank you Daniel for posting this. This issue has always been a sore spot to me and one that I discuss frequently. The suicides are never and will never be counted or listed in any 'official stats' and they SHOULD BE!
Close to half of my son's USMC group was killed in Iraq. 2 more that I know of committed suicide within months of returning home. 1 was my son's best friend. They were also killed by this war. But few, especially in the government, see it that way.
We OWE these young men and women SO MUCH MORE. My own son has been hospitalized on suicide watch, by who?, the VA...NOT. By his therapist that HE pays for!
People often don't realize or stop to think of the enduring trauma that veterans carry for the rest of their lives.

Thursday May 31, 2007, 2:08 am
I can say I understand as a person who has lost someone to suicide, what I can not empathize with is losing a child because the Government was spending too much on their war wagon to make sure that the PTS is not recognized and the men and women are cared for. It is time to stand up for your rights as family members and MARCH on the PENTAGON and make a BIG deal of it in front of the MEDIA and bring it all out of the closet that the VA wants to keep it in.

Thursday May 31, 2007, 2:17 am
Also a thought, that PRINCE HARRY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO TO THE FRONT AS HE IS THE KING IN WAITING AFTER HIS FATHER AND BROTHER! ! ! What does that say? Is HE better because he has royal blood? I don't think so> My Blood actually is just as blue as his and if I was of age to be in the services they wouldn't balk at sending me.Your sons and daughters shouldn't be put out there and the SPECIAL people don't.

Thursday May 31, 2007, 3:09 am
No life, of any supposed social class is better or worse than another. The fact is, many of you are right. Casulties of war are not just those shown on charts and websites, but in the aftermath. The drug problems, the depression, the drinking, the total lack of being able to love again because you are not "damaged".
And my pointing out our American Plight in no way deflects from the overall unreported issues in Iraq as well. Those people too, in a greater capacity are also victims of this senseless and illegal war.
Suicide is the ultimate surrender. If that is the case, then how can Congress, the Generals and especially the Commander-In-Chief not realize that one suicide, one family shattered is a clear and decisive indication that this war has been lost since day one.
For generations to come the pshychological impact of this war will effect many nations, many people's and many a life. George W. Bush. I do not believe in a Hell, but if there were such a place, you more than deserve to be there. Because if one believes that suicide is an automatic Mortal Sin and you go right to Hell, then all these poor persons did in fact die for nothing, not even a promise of any eternal reward.
I am ashamed to have ever put on the uniform for an ungrateful government. In fact, you wil hear it from me once and for all, 9/11 was caused by this Administration. I was a demolitions expert, and there is no way those buildings collapsed the way they did without charges being sent.
My conscience can no longer hide my own personal pains as I too suffer from PTSD and have had thoughts of suicide since this war started. Moreso, because a dear friend of mine was killed in my stead because I said "No" to going back to Iraq, and my friend and protege' SSG Rudy Salcido went in my place and died. I have to live with that fact for the rest of my life. I stood up and said I would not go and my friend died. Part of me is already dead. I just hope we all can demand that this issue, and all the factors that lead to suicide can be addressed aggressively before more lives are gone without reason or justificaton.
This war represents a failure of the leaders to listen....

Thursday May 31, 2007, 3:10 am
Actually, it should read, because you are "Damaged". Sorry.

Thursday May 31, 2007, 3:23 am
UUHHH Excuse Me "what Leaders"???? If they were real leaders they would be "leading" walking out in the "front" That is the definition of that WORD in any dictionary. There is not a leader is sight from the "Commander-in-Chief" on down!!!!!!!

Thursday May 31, 2007, 3:26 am
UUHHHHh? What Leaders? The dictionary definition of a leader is " a person who leads, a person who goes out ahead. There is not one leader in this whole fiasco from the "Commander-in-Chief" on down the rank and file.

Thursday May 31, 2007, 6:50 am
Thank you Daniel, for this most important post. This is a subject along with not reporting deaths and not letting pictures of the returning coffins of our fallen troops be shown. This is utter filth that King George Support Our Troops tires to shove down our throats. The anguish these men and women suffer is sheer torture, which is also a favorite of The Empire. I'm sorry, I get so upset over this particular subject, I' m not sure I'm coherent at this point.

Thursday May 31, 2007, 7:01 am
Somehow this does not surprise me. I've worked in a VA hospital, and have watched as men and women struggled with the horrors. Sadly, some never make it. Thanks for posting this article.

Thursday May 31, 2007, 7:05 am
Words fail me on this one!! The shocking news is that those who should be looking after the returning servicemen/women don't give a damn - remember the scandal of Walter Reed Hospital, and similar facilities, and Bush's 'promise' when that fiasco was in the news?

Thursday May 31, 2007, 8:02 am
As someone who has friends in Iraq and has friends that have been injured and are waiting redeployment, I am truely saddened by this........but not surprised. It is about time we get all the information, all the time. We ask for nothing more, and we deserve nothing less!!!

Thursday May 31, 2007, 9:25 am
Greetings Daniel and all . . .

Would that this story ended here, and that the so called "leaders" recognised we are on to them! Luke, use the force Lue! =) Take heart as you were not the cause of your friend's death, so know that I send healing to you. And for all others who may read this story . . . who NEED read this story, it is important too to realise that when it comes to the "Numbers" of those wounded and dead, that if a troop dies in flight between Iraq and Germany, for instance, they ARE NOT COUNTED as a casualty of war!!! If they die once they reach Walter Reid (the Gods forbid!!!), that is also NOT a casualty of the war. In other words, our troops who make the greatest sacrifice of all MUST DIE IN COUNTRY to be counted as one of those who "died in the war!!!" How's that for bloody OUTRAGEOUS???

Accordingly, their families do not get the benefits that they would had that troop not make it out of country . . . and they do not receive the medals that those who die in country do. SICK, SICK, SICK!!! This from those who did not have the courage to fight themselves . . . rather they used the position of wealth and "connections" to escape. Those who left the country and were labeled "DRAFT DODGERS" had more courage; they have lived on to fight the fight that is yet to come . . . the fight to take our country back!!! And Daniel . . . (Luke) . . . you are a Jedi, so know that as you grow in that course, we will need you here!!! Take heart in that . . . no matter whom we lose, we must stay strong as the Empire and the Emperor attempts to grow even more!!!

As for the comments from all those others here (okay Barry . . . spell check!!! rofl) who are also my friends, it is our community, our togetherness that gives us the strength to carry on; United we Stand, and Divided we Fall!!! That is PRECISELY what they want . . . as when we are divided they are able to penetrate and do more damage because we are too busy fighting amongst each other to notice!!!

Thursday May 31, 2007, 10:42 am
Hey Maureen - isn't it nice to have a "normal" posting site instead of that other one we are involved in?

Thursday May 31, 2007, 10:44 am
Hey Maureen - Isn't it nice to have a "normal" posting site instead of the other one we are involved with?

Thursday May 31, 2007, 10:48 am
Bravo Maureen, you have a new streak - 1!

Thursday May 31, 2007, 10:52 am
Oops!!! - I take that back Maureen

Thursday May 31, 2007, 8:03 pm
For all those who have noted this story, I am sure the families of those who have lost a loved one and sadly, those who may yet, I thank you for them from the bottom of my heart. Care2 is still a place to hear the conscience of those who indeed do care. You are all the best. I will continue to push the DoD for the numbers and/or statistics as to how many suicides have occurred since 91, (The First Gulf War), and how many mental health patients are still taking medications and/or are in therapy with sucidal ideas. It will not be easy as Maureen stated, everything she stated is correct. The government does not count the deaths unless they occur in "combat" deaths after receiving care are not stated or listed anywhere.
In fact this also applies to the Iraqi People who die in hospitals or from infections after initial injuries. Too bad DoD, you fired me, now you will have to keep me quiet for knowing how your inner workings, (rotten as they are), do not properly project "casualties" of this war or any that have occured in the form of suicide since the first Gulf War.
It will not be easy to get these numbers, but they are there somewhere and I will keep shouting until everyone knows what the "real" cost of lives of this war truly is...

Thursday May 31, 2007, 8:07 pm
Also, a thanks and my sincerest of heartfelt love to anyone who has been affected by this war in any capacity. Peace affects all in a good way, but war is like a cancer, it eats away slowly and some do not feel the effects until years later. All Care2 Members, regardless of your stance, thanks too for exercising your rights to talk about things that count. Our government will not listen, but we will make them hear us.... The whole World needs more Peace, and the have war be the only thing extinct... along with government apathy.

Thursday May 31, 2007, 10:23 pm
I used the term Leaders in a relative sense. I know they are not Leading, it is simply the title in which they occupy and have failed miserably to deserve. That is coming from a former Leader who no longer gets to lead in the Military by choice and who wants to lead the People back to the forefront. After all, the United States Governments seems to have forgotten, (or rather do not care), that they work not for their own fame, wealth and power, but for us.
I know they are not Leaders Lamargo, it is just a title. One they need to relinquish, since they have no idea how to lead.

Thursday May 31, 2007, 10:57 pm
Hi Danial, RE: suicide information, every police department in America will have a list of suicides. You see they Have to keep those records because it usually is not a death by natural causes, therefore is investigated.

Friday June 1, 2007, 12:16 am
Again, our government "hiding" the facts which would persuade the American Public to get out of the WAR. STOP many from going in. Every conceivable deception known to man has been pulled on US the people to continue this WAR we were LIED into. PTSD is a very serious problem for veterans and their families and the VA has been under-funded by the BUSH ADMINISTRATION. Thats the respect you get from coming back wounded from fighting THEIR battles for THEM. EVERYONE JUST SIT AND DO NOTHING!! Thats the ticket!!

Friday June 1, 2007, 6:32 am
Thanks Lamargo, I will check into those as well and see if the police agencies actually took into account Veteran Status and if there is a reporting policy regarding those suicides as a matter of specific record as opposed to suicides of non-Veterans. Thanks again.

Friday June 1, 2007, 9:02 am
Barry . . . YES IT IS!!! =D And as to the other . . . I am wondering, art thou chastising me for the "proper" English spellings???? Hmmmmmmmmm . . . *giggle* Also, yes, yes . . . she caught the "MAKE" as opposed to made! rofl

Friday June 1, 2007, 9:07 am
Greetings Daniel, It's been my experience (many family members in law enforcement) that they do not note whether one is a Veteran or not; it may be listed on the death certificate, which is also on record and open to the public through the County in which the death occurred; those are reasonably easy to check. Still, for the most part, police agencies don't note whether or not the person was a veteran or not.

On the flip side, once you have the name, and you know it was a suicide, you can easily cross check that with the military records! =D Thanks for all that you are doing to raise awareness and help in these situations; I totally understand your heart on this one!!! I share that emotion with you! Peace.

Friday June 1, 2007, 10:20 am
Just to set the record straight: I know of no members of the Peace Movement who have "protested" at Veterans' funerals and called them names. If there were any, be assured the Right-wingers would make much of it! On the contrary, Peace People have photographed and published pictures of the flag-draped coffins entering the country, and gotten in trouble for it; and set up white wooden crosses and other displays, in various parts of the country, to call attention to the "hidden" casualties.
For the record; those who have disrupted and protested at funerals, calling the troops names, the TRUE WHACKOES, are members of a FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS CULT, consisting actually of one large family. They have a problem with THERE BEING GAYS IN THE MILITARY; which fact they hold RESPONSIBLE for all the trouble the military is in. Yes, they are TRULY INSANE. No Peacenik I have ever known, would be disrespectful of families like that.
It is a SHAME that these whackoes are allowed to exercise their Freedom of Speech in this way; and there have been measures taken to curb their activities. Just another example of the horrors perpetrated in the name of Religion, and a Compassionate Jesus!
Their HATRED of all Gay people, military or otherwise, leads them beyond the bounds of common decency. They are bringing up their children in this "faith". Their leader {the father of this mis-guided family} ADMITS to protesting at veterans' funerals as a means of "drawing attention" to America's sins.
This illegal, immoral invasion and Occupation of another country that did us absolutely no harm, is bringing out CRAZINESS everywhere.

Friday June 1, 2007, 1:48 pm
Government Attempting to Silence Iraq War Vets?

AP is reporting: "An Iraq war veteran could lose his honorable discharge status after being photographed wearing fatigues at an anti-war protest.

Marine Cpl. Adam Kokesh and other veterans marked the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq in March by wearing their uniforms -- with military insignia removed -- and roaming around the nation's capital on a mock patrol."

ADAM KOKESH, adam@ivaw.org, http://kokesh.blogspot.com

Kokesh appeared last night on CNN and explained the nature of the demonstration: "This was a very unique demonstration. It was called Operation First Casualty. And it's called that because the first casualty of war is the truth. And the purpose of this was to bring a small part of the truth of the occupation of Iraq home to the American people. And we did that by simulating a combat patrol through the streets of Washington, D.C. We did it again just this past weekend in New York City. And we had civilians who were playing occupied people.
... We treat them as a combat patrol in Iraq might treat Iraqi
civilians." A Washington Post story on the demonstration in March featured a picture of Kokesh; that initial piece as well as video of the D.C. demonstration is at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/19/AR2007031901558.html

Friday, June 1, at 5:00 p.m. at Union Station, Adam Kokesh will be participating in a press conference when he departs to Kansas City for the hearing that is scheduled for June 4 at the Marine Mobilization Command. Kokesh, his attorney, and his witnesses, will be taking the "Yellow Rose of Texas Peace Bus" from D.C. to Kansas City.

LIAM MADDEN, maddenlm@gmail.com, http://www.appealforredress.org

Madden will join Kokesh at the press conference and on the trip to Kansas City. He was a communications and electronics specialist with the Marines in Iraq and co-founded the group Appeal for Redress. Madden left the military in January. He said today: "They are also going after me for wearing a shirt of my uniform at a peace protest. And also for making 'disloyal statements.'"

The Washington Post reported yesterday about Madden's statements, "summarized by the Marines in legal documents: 'Sgt. Madden spends several minutes explaining the "war crimes" of the Bush administration. Sgt. Madden claims that the war in Iraq is a war "of aggression" and one of "empire building." Sgt. Madden explains that the President of the United States has "betrayed U.S. military personnel" engaged in the Iraq conflict.'"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/30/AR2007053002627.html

Madden said today: "Now, I wasn't wearing my uniform when I said any of those things. This is about what I'm saying about political discourse, about the administration's policies. Why are they trying to silence that?"

KELLY DOUGHERTY, kelly@ivaw.org, http://www.ivaw.org

Executive director of Iraq Veterans Against the War, Dougherty was in Iraq from March 2003 to February 2004 with the Colorado National Guard. She said today: "This is not so much about Adam as it is an attempt by the military brass to silence opposition to the war among veterans. The military is supposed to fight to preserve free speech, not quashing it. Not only are veterans, who can attest to the realities of this war, increasingly speaking out against the war -- but its grim realities are moving them to increasingly take nonviolent direct action to stop it."

For more information, contact at the Institute for Public Accuracy: Sam Husseini, (202) 347-0020; or David Zupan, (541) 484-9167

Friday June 1, 2007, 1:53 pm
daniel and lauren...my heart goes out to you with your stories of grief. lauren, your son, ...and daniel..your close friend losing his life. the sadness and anger blends together...and it's extremely sad to read how our veterans are being treated back here in the states by the VA. that hasn't changed since back during the days of vietnam. i doubt seriously that the VA, branch of any service...or the DOD took initiative to keep numbers on those men/women who committed suicide back then either. or taking immediate action BEFORE the person is due to get out of the military, and for them (VA), to reach out with regards to any disorders that they may be feeling at that time.....but now....currently, with our government being so wrapped up in sending MORE troops over there...get this...they are sending servicemen/women over there for their 2nd or 3rd deployment....a lot had come back from the FIRST deployment disabled...so now the government is telling them that they are NOT disabled, and resending them back!!!!!!! wth??? how insane can you be, mr. 'i'm not listening, la, la, la..." fingers in ears dumbja bush"???!! ..this incomptence/disregard/lack of emotion/heartless gall that you exhibit in the WH is numbing. i think everyone who has a son/daugher relative who is veteran with disablities...and is under a private physician's care...should send the bill to the WH!! let bush pay for his lies, and his total lack of sensibilit, this is the least he could do for his VETS!!!. better yet, to halliburton...they have enough money to help our veterans. by the way....you never read about halliburton HELPING ...do we?????? oh yeah, the servicemen are not oil riggers...that's right. they're in a war, i forgot. silly me.

Friday June 1, 2007, 2:12 pm
Thanx Daniel for this story.
Love & Light

Saturday June 2, 2007, 5:01 am
No wonder BU$H was so setermined to go to war! They have never kept one shred of evidance that the war will put some people over the edge. And they wonder WHY people commit suicide? This should be started now and check back on ALL those who've committed suicide to see if they were in a war.

Saturday June 2, 2007, 5:01 am
No wonder BU$H was so setermined to go to war! They have never kept one shred of evidance that the war will put some people over the edge. And they wonder WHY people commit suicide? This should be started now and check back on ALL those who've committed suicide to see if they were in a war.

Saturday June 2, 2007, 1:52 pm
Pat, get this, I was looking through the memorial list on my page yesterday and found the name of a young man that my son went to high school with. He was killed mid May, 2007, just weeks ago. His page said he was killed on his 6th deployment. He was with the Army.

Saturday June 2, 2007, 1:57 pm
The following is a real letter from a vet;

Monday, March 12, 2007
Pain

I'm in pain, from my head to my feet. The pain is in my chest, in my heart in my bones, my back, my arms, and my legs, but its not just physical pain, its emotional pain. I feel more alone every day and I'm haunted by Ray and all the little kids, it is all so heavy on my heart that it brakes my soul. Sometimes I wonder if its just me, am I the only one that feels this way? I hope I am, because I would not wish this agony on anyone.

Why is it that I have been made to suffer this way? Why dose my life have to be so hellish everyday? There is only so much a man can take before it becomes too much, before he cant take the pain one more day, but what can I do? I am dieing, but not fast enough. Because I fought a war for the Marines on my left, and on my right I sacrificed my body to save there's, so they could make it home. I guess this is the price I pay for doing the right thing… I hope that counts for something when I'm dead, and gone because it doesn't seem to now.

I just cant take this any more, I just cant take this any more, I just cant take this any more. I guess I'm not strong enough to endure a life time of hell…

Saturday June 2, 2007, 6:46 pm
It is totally against our human nature to kill another human being, no matter what we are told. Of course, it would be natural to become ill, fall into severe depression, feel mental agony, and so on, because deep down in our psyche we know instinctively that it is wrong to kill another human being. Every one of us, and this IS a hard one sometimes, I admit, but we are all a manifestation of the same source, Creator of All. If you kill another, you kill your self, and you kill Creator of All, because we are all holograms of the One. Of course, we are subconsciously repulsed by what we do when we kill. Humankind just has been brainwashed for 6,000 years into thinking that wars and killing are the right thing to do, the righteous thing to do, and everybody prays to THEIR GOD to win the war....How many alien gods are there? There is only ONE Creator, and he/she made us all. Stop the War!!........Peace!

Saturday June 2, 2007, 8:35 pm
This is a good article, but very sad. I'm tired of being lied to or just not informed!
There is nothing that I can say any better than the last person who posted before me-BRILLIANT! I agree 100% with UsdiGaduSequichie-Kerchee!!

Monday June 4, 2007, 10:22 pm
The Forest Across America Project would likely provide the kind of friendship and community to help people in need so they do not feel so rejected by their family, friends, community and government.

We only need people that care to step forward and help with the project. If interested use the link below.

http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/ForestAcrossAmerica

Thursday June 7, 2007, 5:36 pm
I know of a great many veterans who have committed suicide. The stories are personal and heartwrenching as told by family members. My heart aches for them and for all the families that are dealing with this. Were you aware that servicemen and women cannot receive VA benefits for PSTD until after they are discharged. I fought going into Iraq before war was declared. I contacted every senator and representative I have met to urge them to vote against going into Iraq. Since this war was declared by the president, not congress, I have fought every day to bring it to an end. When I say congress did not declare war, yes, they did give the president the authority, however that was to be used after every diplomatic effort had been made to resolve the problem. Frankly, I still don't know what exactly the problems was. There were no WMDs, Osama bin Laden who was responsible for the events of 9/11 is still at large and the Middle East is more unstable that it has evern been. Of course they don't want records of Veterans suicides, they have no idea what they have caused or have they? If any further mistakes are made, I pray that they do not involve human life.

Thursday June 7, 2007, 5:38 pm
sorry even=ever

Thursday June 7, 2007, 6:17 pm
Why am I not surprised? Nonetheless, this is hurtful to me as I know many men and women who have served and are suffering the end results of having done so-- Without any support from those who are empowered to make a change in their lives for the better, we shall continue to lose our active and vet military guys and gals to the likes of suicide without any notice of record on file. This is beyond sad-- only the family and friends have recorded this tradegy by heart felt emotions of eternal absence.

Thursday June 7, 2007, 7:44 pm
send them all home now

Thursday June 7, 2007, 9:24 pm
Though we all know president Bushhas had a vendeta against Suddam He is dead now. Leave Iraq to pick up
from the pains of their own.and SEND OUR TROOPS HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As the song goes LET THERE BE PEACE AND LET IT BEGIN WITH GOERGE W BUSH

Friday June 8, 2007, 7:04 am
Noted ~ Thanks Daniel

Friday June 8, 2007, 7:41 am
By the way, just look for recent colombian film "Satanas".

Friday June 8, 2007, 7:22 pm
Barbara...just so you know....A HUGE, Elaborate, Luxurious "Embassy" is being built...even as I write this.....by the United States of America....contracted to Halliburton. This will be the "Headquarters" for the control of Iraq. GWB has no intention of "Bringing Home the Troops" or ending his position as President of the USA.......two stolen elections....the third will be a suprize.....

Friday June 8, 2007, 7:48 pm
Daniel, when I got up last Saturday morning, if someone had told me that I would be hugging a drunk American Indian that afternoon.....my response would have been uh-huh...right. But that is exactly what happened....I was stopped on the Warms Springs Indian Reservation waiting for friends to come out of a quick-stop store, when a man, with long braided hair, dirty clothes and staggering as he walked came over to where I was parked. I asked him if I could help him.....He then began to tell me about his life in the military....how he had served in the Marines....some things I didn't understand..... about where he was assigned and stationed and finally that he was ordered to kill people and he didn't want to do that but he was ordered to and he did....he started crying....he told me his wife died three months ago....and I started crying with him and hugged him.....he was so thin. He medicated himself by drinking......If what he told me is all true, he is another lost Veteran. He is not homeless, his tribe will take care of him as well as they can.....But, he is another Veteran who lost his way and his mind.....like the letter written by the Marine above...."I just can't take this anymore..........I guess I'm not strong enough to endure a lifetime of hell...."

Saturday June 9, 2007, 2:01 am
It is crucial to screen and have supportive, readily available services in place for veterans as well as other Americans suffering from depression and PTSD. This is important to address now because, if left unattended to, there will be greater problems and issues to deal with in the future due to the devastating consequences that these illnesses have on families and our society in general. It not treated, these conditions often result in an increase in suicide, domestic violence, further health problems and so on. These issues must be addressed to prevent further crises' from occurring that can result from these very serious health conditions, (PTSD and Depression).

Saturday June 9, 2007, 2:13 am
Hi Karen e. very valid point and Bill E. and Danial will have to commiserate on that point and see what can be set up as support services along the way. It is also in the Creator's hands, that He/She can do miracles mends when out in nature. We know it is a risky move but then that is life. We can only try to put the pieces back together.

Saturday June 9, 2007, 2:13 am
Hi Karen e. very valid point and Bill E. and Danial will have to commiserate on that point and see what can be set up as support services along the way. It is also in the Creator's hands, that He/She can do miracles mends when out in nature. We know it is a risky move but then that is life. We can only try to put the pieces back together.

Saturday June 9, 2007, 2:16 am
I don't know why this is double posting , I didn't do it.

Sunday June 10, 2007, 11:55 am
I for a fact know a man who served in world war 2 and then still in great health served in vieatnam he love this country that much. He works part time now at a car dealer taking car's down to have them to wash them and ect. He told me that when he hear's he hilacopters comming over he gets real scared and wants to take cover. for when he was in vietnam our own people were firing upon them. He goes for vertens help all the time. So God bless this man.

Sunday June 10, 2007, 1:12 pm
im sorry for the familys loss. my thought are with them.
lisa g.

Sunday June 10, 2007, 2:24 pm
Karen, point well made. It IS crucial that these vets get the help they need.
That is the very problem, however. They are NOT getting that help. They go to the VA and ask for help, even tell the VA they are suicidal and they are turned away and put on waiting lists. The VA personnel may as well just hand them a loaded gun and tell them to go home and use it. In essence, that IS what they are doing. The LACK of care and caring is KILLING PEOPLE.

Monday June 11, 2007, 12:44 am
I must honor UsdiGadu Sequichie-Kerchee with a heartfelt AMEN!!!!
PEACE!~

Monday June 11, 2007, 7:54 pm
Now, after years of red tape, my letters to the Pentagon have paid off. The risk of suicide among male U.S. veterans is double that of the general population, according to a study published Monday. For 12 years, more than 104,000 veterans who had served in the armed forces at some time between 1917 and 1994 were compared with more than 216,000 non-veterans. At biggest risk were veterans who were white, those who had gone to college and those with activity limitations, according to the study.

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 4:52 am
This is so sad,here in Argentina,lots of veterans from The Malvinas' Conflict also commited suicide,and those who are alive are not properly recognized,with a good pension/after war benefit.A shame.

Tuesday June 12, 2007, 11:02 am
This is sad.I Noted Department of defense & the goverment don't want you to know nothing. It is all money & oil. Look back at Vietnam how they were treated.

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 5:49 pm
I volunteered in '67, but was sent to Germany instead of Nam. I was disallusioned with the integrity of the system and had my own depression issues for awhile and I didn't even see combat. I missed the return of the combat vets because I stayed in Germany 20 years after getting married there. I wondered why I was spared. Since my return to California in '89 I have had to opportunity and the ability to be a non-judgemental witness to those who confessed things to me that they had held within all these years. They need to be properly debriefed (proper enlistment should also guarantee proper psychological debriefing, if you know what the word debrief means) and not just threatened into not telling anything. A leader in the men's movement in my community once told me that the number of suicides after Nam exceeded the official death toll by 400%!! Does anyone have figures on this? Vietnam Veterans of America was formed by Vets helping themselves because help wasn't there. For me personally it's "corporate interests" versus "human interests" and who's going to make a difference if we don't?

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 6:38 pm
Kelton. I do not have the numbers as yet, as I wrote, the numbers are extremely difficult to come by since so many suicides did not occur right after the war in Vietnam. Some happened years later, and some happened due to alcoholism and drugs, et cetera. I promise that when I do find the numbers to every some accuracy or not, I will post them. And by all means, I do know what "debriefing" is as I served 23 years in the Army, most of which was in the Special Operations, so I understand what that means. Maybe I should post a definition here so that those who are concerned but have never served can understand: it means to ask a person questions of a service member upon returning form a mission that have strategic value. This is the text book answer, and it is of no use to Veterans, so I will give my definition of what proper debriefing for combat veteran should be like: One, you get to know the veteran and tell them you are not going to be judgmental, but you are here only to do one thing and that is to listen and to let you tell me what you have going on with your feelings. Now we know number one never happened for anyone I know or you do, so we are going to have to lobby to get psychiatrists to volunteer, (and that is liking pulling teeth for a Doctor to volunteer on a grand scale in that field). So, until we can get legislation to make it mandatory for soldiers or sailors, marines, or airmen to get a proper psyche check up before they are ever discharged and make it a point to have it paid for for life to see a VA or private doctor in that field if they experienced even combat for one minute. All it takes in one minute to change a life and a mind forever. I am not saying that those who never served in combat are not somehow damaged as well, but the lucky ones that never saw combat will never understand what goes on in a firefight. In any case, some PTSD cases do not materialize after years until a trigger sets off a stream of memories that bring all the trauma or horror back in a flood. Kelton, there is no perfect solution, but any solution is better than none. I will continue to work to find any kind of solutions. Thanks for the insight Kelton.

Wednesday June 13, 2007, 11:34 pm
It would be interesting to see how anyone would track such info, particularly at a grass roots level, not to say it does not need to be, as well as the large number of homeless in AMERICA that are vets. In todays world the government and it`s odd bed fellow the news media seem to think you are far more concerned with such issues as sports, reality shows and a few rich brats and their goings on than anything as substantial as this though.

Friday June 15, 2007, 1:16 am
Thank you for the definition, Daniel. Not having been in combat, I'm capable of being with a Vet in an episode and remaining calm. If you show any fear of them, they don't trust you. Once Big John went into an episode and I stood right in front of him and smiled and asked if he wanted to come to my place for a joint. He only does tobacco and coffee and I knew that. The question was enough to bring him back to the present. How many of the Vietnam Vets never heard the words, "Welcome home soldier! Thanks for a job well done!"?? This was done for a couple of them in my men's circle many years afterwards and brought tears for all of us. Corporate interests are not human interests. We have to take responsibility. And thank you so much for your work!

Sunday June 17, 2007, 8:57 pm
I have lived with a Vietnam Vet who was a medical corpsman attached to the marines for 35 years. I have been in the jungles of Vietnam with him as he was there very night in nightmares, sweats, flares of recurring malaria, and flashbacks every July 4th with every firework bang. I've been with him through a fugue in which he never knew he was driving through the Bowery in NYC at night then out to Long Island, nearly got into a fight with a guy at a convenience store, kept driving in circles, but wouldn't let me drive. and until we got home and were looking at pictures with friend of the whale watching tour we took that same day, he said What Whale watching tour-he remembered none of it-the day was gone to him...and we were driving and riding around as if all was well-not entirely - I knew something was wrong, but couldnt tell what since he could talk, was just acting a bit "off". That's when we went to the neurrologist andlearned he was in a fugue-the ultimate withdrawal that can happen w/PTSD. Over the years we have had many ups and downs, and now he is an officer in two Veterans organizations, participates in a PTSD support group every Tuesday and we were together at the moving Wall when it was here in early June-I provided grief counseling and he sat w/Vets who hadn't faced the wall sometimes in 40 years. Together we are working on a Vietnam Vets of America committee on an outreach programs for Iraqi/Afghani/any vets for the State of TX-with the toll free phone # to be "manned" by professional social workers, psychologists, (interns) supervised and trained in PTSD and at the same time doing a public awareness training program outreaching first responders: police, firemen, EMS, etc. to train them to recognize PTSD and how to respond and to the public, too, as often family members are the first to recognize changes in their loved ones. Joe's changes have been about leaving a legacy that is different for the next generation of vets-he hates this war and everything it stands for, and he and the other vets in these organizations want to be sure these guys coming back so sick and w/so many head injuries and so prone to suicide will be reached and helped early and that their brother vets will be there for them. Because Iraqi vets are reserves they lose their benefits after two years this is not a good thing - many don't get help right away and also benefits have been cut as has funding to the VA as we know by this MIS-admiinistration. So, the second part of this program is aimed at filling the gaps in the VA programs for the families of the Iraqi/Afghani vets so they have support, resources and counseling. Having been through many of those 35 years alone keeping secrets about what was happening at home and not having any help, I don't want that to happen to another spouse- man or woman, or to the children in the family, not to mention the orphans of this war, another problem looming on the horizon...the BILL passed here though for the Outreach system and is on the Governor's desk to sign-surely he won't be so stupid as to veto a bill to help vets. Would he? Noted

Tuesday June 26, 2007, 5:27 am
post traumatic syndrome


I have a maternal uncle who couldn't even reside here in the US after the Vietnam War where he was a Paratrooper. He opted to living in other 3rd world countries for nearly a decade and to this day would like to live out the rest of his years in Vietnam with his filipino wife.

Thursday July 5, 2007, 5:20 pm
It is a sad state of affairs when our young people are used for such selfish reasons in senless wars. It is even worse when they come home to no jobs, no home, no family, and no adequate medical care. Unfortunately the warmongers and greedy money grubbers care nothing about human life except, perhaps, their own. The ones who instigated this war never fought in a war. We need to ban together to demand an end to this insane loss of lives, not to mention those who are maimed and mutulated for the rest of their lives. May God have mercy on all of us!