Veterans Issues
Under the Bush/Obama administrations, our armed forced have been taxed beyond the limit. Our ability to respond to another crisis in a different part of the world has been greatly reduced. All one need to do in 2005 was to witness the inability of our armed forces to effectively assist the citizens of our gulf coast following hurricane Katrina. Specialized equipment being in the south of Iraq rather than being in Louisiana was harmful to the effort.
The complete lack of foresight by President Bush and his Team of Rumsfeld, Cheney, Wolfowitz and Perle has our armed forces in every branch of service in jeopardy, especially the ground forces (Army and Marines). The team led by Mr. Bush in their rush to attack made no plan for winning the peace. The American soldier is now paying the price for such myopic vision by our current and past leadership, and does not inspire confidence for future command decisions.
According to Joseph Galloway a reporter for Knight Ridder News, 46% of troops rotating into Iraq for one-year tours, notwithstanding stop loss decisions, are Reserve and National Guard Soldiers. The purpose of these forces never included being an army of occupation. We need new leadership in congress that thinks through decisions relative to consequences and conclusions prior to sending American forces into harms way.
Currently we have an Economic Draft despite all of the rhetoric about an all-volunteer armed forces. Would a rush to war under questionable pretenses be entertained so quickly if the sons and daughters of our president and the corporate elite were subject to the inherent risk of military service?
Are the sons of the incumbent, Gus Bilirakis going to sign up for the Marines? Is incoming Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Will Weatherford just 30 years of age going to sign up as well?
As a nation we owe a debt of gratitude to those who have fallen as well as those whose lives have been irrevocably changed by their military service. Many of us at times have felt uncomfortable when we've encountered the odd or psychotic behavior exhibited by one of our once proud soldiers, whose lives are now spent on the streets of America.
These unfortunate souls have been abandoned by our nation and more recently by the Bush/Obama administrations making it more difficult for veterans to access care from a number of perspectives. The result of war sadly, often is psychiatric illness, which adversely affects the lives of not only veterans, but their loved ones as well.
As a candidate in Congressional District 12 here in Florida as well as an ARNP who has cared for these patients at various hospitals, I have seen first hand the problems experienced by our veterans. As I roamed the parking lots seeking signatures on my petition cards to gain a position on the ballot, I met many veterans from whom I heard complaints.
I heard complaints concerning the closing of facilities, the need to travel longer distances for care, increased waiting times for evaluation and treatment, issues regarding Veteran Survivor Widows Benefits, to the range of unique complaints from patients who were exposed to Agent Orange. On a more contemporary basis, our government has yet to adequately address the issue of disease associated with depleted uranium munitions affecting both our soldiers and the indigenous people likewise affected. Again cost and risk are being transferred to the hapless soldier who may not be well represented in his/her quest for care or redress. The list continues to grow.
As a candidate in Florida Congressional District 12, I support fully a policy of providing full and complete support and treatment of our Veterans as well as their families. Our Veterans, their wives and their families must be treated appropriately while they serve, when they retire, and when they depart this earth. Our Veterans paid their co-pay when they put on the uniform of The United States of America.
There should be no further requirement of that sort thereafter! If elected, I would enhance access of Veterans organizations and surrogates to their 12th District United States Representative by appointing a Veterans Affairs Liaison to expedite resolution of veteran's issues. http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article595708.ece
In reference to the excerpt from the article below, as a health care professional I have provided care to thousands of veterans including those who suffer from PTSD. The mental anguish associated with military service especially for the combat veteran is just as important as the physical wounds of war. In fact the physical wounds of war are often exacerbated by the psychological sequlae.
Thirty percent of Americas homeless are veterans many of whom suffer from psychological disability directly associated with their service. They must be sought out and offered treatment for thier injuries so as to offer a path of return to greater society. John Russell
http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/category/health/
Living With P.T.S.D. and Allowing Myself to Get Help
By THOMAS BRENNAN
Sgt. Thomas James Brennan, center, leading the Third Platoon, Fourth Squad of the First Battalion, Eighth Marines, in Helmand Province in February 2011.
Finbarr O'Reilly/Reutersb Sgt. Thomas James Brennan, center, leading the Third Platoon, Fourth Squad of the First Battalion, Eighth Marines, in Helmand Province in February 2011.
An alarm clock chimes across a pitch-black room. I slowly rise. Standing in my bathroom, I brush my teeth and shave away yesterday's stubble -- part of every Marine's mandatory morning routine. The person in the mirror seems somehow unfamiliar. Downstairs, the morning pot of coffee brews. I finally begin to wake. Leaving home, the roads are lined with beautiful farmland, backlit by a rising sun. Morning dew glinting off the fields gives way to a kaleidoscope of neon signs as I reach town. Pulling into the parking lot, I take a deep breath and step out of my truck.
Our Marine morning routine consists of running on dirt pathways along a beautiful flowing river. Our footsteps echo off pine trees. Three miles later it ends with sore feet and tired lungs. Staring into the shower's flowing water, I dread this time of day the most. Drying myself off I dress in my camouflage utilities. Only recently do I feel as though I cannot live up to the Marine Corps insignia I wear over my heart. Being a United States Marine means showing no weakness, no pain, especially to your subordinates. As I button my shirt my facade takes shape, and I am off to fake the day.
Driving home, I am greeted by the sun as it sets across the farmland. I park my truck and then open the door to my house. Unbuttoning my uniform and slowly taking it off, the facade I wore all day fades away and relief washes over me. "Daddy, Daddy, you're home!" my daughter yells. Most parents feel a sensation of happiness when greeted by their children. At this moment I am sad, empty. I give her a hug, but she feels far away. I lie on the couch, feeling lost.
The Lens Blog
From a Marine's Side of the Camera
Sgt. Thomas James Brennan
In December 2011, Sgt. Brennan wrote about being the subject of an embedded photographer in Afghanistan.
Read more » http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/category/health/
There are 1.7 million Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, and at least a third of them suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or P.T.S.D., according to the National Center for P.T.S.D.
I am one of them.
P.T.S.D. is an anxiety disorder that can occur after a traumatic event. Given that troops deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq see fallen comrades, experience combat, or survive horrific events, the likelihood of a veteran being diagnosed with P.T.S.D. is high. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, someone with P.T.S.D. is at least twice as likely to commit or attempt suicide, or experience substance abuse. Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, are suffering from alcoholism and drug abuse, depression or mood disorders, according to a 2010 report by the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. Please go to the link provided above to read the article in its entirety.
Thomas J. Brennan is a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served both in Iraq and Afghanistan with the First Battalion Eighth Marines. Now, 27 and still on Active Duty, he is stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
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