When war comes home: Crime surge among veterans suggest some didn't leave horrors behind

[unhappycamper]

http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2012/02/05/1151825?sac=fo.military

When war comes home: Crime surge among veterans suggest some didn't leave horrors behind
By Greg Barnes
Staff writer
Published: 01:49 AM, Sun Feb 05, 2012

~snip~

When Fayetteville firefighters showed up to investigate a report of a fire in an apartment building last month, they didn't know that the Fort Bragg soldier who lived there was armed and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

~snip~

The shootout with Eisenhauer is the most public of what appears to be a surge in violent behavior and suicides among Fort Bragg soldiers and combat veterans in recent months.

Like Eisenhauer, many of those soldiers suffer from depression, PTSD and other mental health problems brought on by the stresses of war and multiple deployments.

Fayetteville police Sgt. Steven Bates said he has seen the increase in violence firsthand.




unhappycamper comment: Perhaps some of the DoD weapons money could be channeled into taking care of damaged soldiers?

Naaaah, keep building F-35s.

[BiggJawn]

1. I once heard...

That the reason soldiers today have such trouble re-adjusting is that during the world wars, they had the time on board ship sailing back to America to "decompress". Nowadays, they arrive at home via jet with the sand of the battlefield still in their boots.

Then again, the WW soldiers came home to parades and jobs. Today they come home to "Parade? too expensive!" and un-employment.

[atreides1]

5. A Parade, really?

How does a parade help them to "decompress"? It's not a parade that's important...it's jobs and treatment for PTSD and other wounds suffered!

Parades are not the answer...besides there were no parades until both Germany and Japan had surrendered...there are still troops in the field fighting...and it isn't over until they all come home!

Veterans groups have been hijacked by both political and religious asshats...and both seem to love the Republicans...who have done little for veterans. The American Legion, and possibly even the VFW, have had its leadership positions filled by Republican leaning members.

[TheMastersNemesis]

2. Don't Hold Your Breath

I went to Vietnam in 1968. When I came back the American public screwed vets. Particularly the GOP. Yet most vets organizations are right wing and GOP shills. Even the American Legion has abandoned veterans and supports the GOP enthusiastically because they are blinded by flag worship. The GOP was even against the GI Bill after WWII. Had Truman been the one to propose it it would have never passed.

WWII vets voted for Republicans after the war. That set the stage for Taft-Hartley and began the war on unions and workers' rights. We have been going downhill ever since.

After WWII veterans benefits have been going downhill. Todays veterans will be forgotten. Since there is no draft the GOP believes that if you volunteer you really do not need any help.

[unhappycamper]

3. Welcome home, Brother

This REMF's first trip was to Chu Lai 67~68. I had a front row seat for Tet of '68.

Where were you?

[OKDem08]

8. don't hold your breath

you are so right, read my post below that proove your point.

[tabasco]

4. Casualties of war that AWOL Bush and Rumsfeld don't care about.

Rumsfeld called soldiers "fungibles."

A commodity to be used and thrown away.

[xchrom]

6. Du rec. Nt

[OKDem08]

7. I'm sorry to say this.....

Man this is very bad But I’m sorry to say this but here it goes........
I started a petition with www.change.org for soldiers with P.T.S.D. I had this up for over 6 months thinking Americans would jump at the chance to help our vets when they need it most. I was wrong! I’m very disappointed in how little support our troops really get. in 6 months I asked for 250,000 signatures I needed 10 just to make it to the internet mainstream for all the world to sign.

I got my 10 then it went mainstream! As I waited and waited and waited in 6 months plus only 23 people signed my petition. I even posted it under a banner on someone’s page with a yellow ribbon saying " Support the Troops" her reply " I did not want to give out my information" I was F'N pissed !!! I left this petition up until time ran out here's the link
Help our veterans with (PTSD)
www.change.org [link:Help our veterans with (PTSD) |there is a silver lining here though, 23 petitions went to Washington DC to the Veterans hospitals and Government buildings for helping these vets.

Bottom line this is proof that people just wave the flag buy stickers and magnets and speak hollow words saying "support the troops" but when it comes to really, really helping these men they only turn their backs on them.

One more thing, I don't support what these men are doing over seas, I don't support the wars, I will only support our troops when they come home because when our Government and Va Hospitals deny them the help they promised the troops telling them you don't have physical wounds so you don't need help. Well, this is where I step in. These are AMERICANS and our Government promised them everything only to treat them like garbage.

I want to say, WELCOME Home Troops, and I will continue to fight for you in your behalf to end your P.T.S.D. a nightmare without help, you will never awaken from.

your friend, Jim Martz

[T S Justly]

9. The Government is putting them in classrooms and on neighborhood streets ...

http://www.proudtoserveagain.com/

http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/default.asp?Item=76