Jon Soltz| BIO
A new study released yesterday concluded that mental injuries suffered by those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are
much worse than estimated, because those injuries don't manifest themselves, in many cases, for months down the road. It's somewhat entertaining to watch the media fall all over themselves to express "shock" at this story, when all they had to do was talk to those of us who served, who have known this for a while.
It's truly heartbreaking when you do actually listen to the troops. In the
Washington Post coverage, they interview reservist Timothy Bredberg:
"Bredberg's family, which he describes as conservative and patriotic, disowned him after he returned. "Timmy, we don't know you anymore," his sisters told him, he recalled. "People talk about the sacrifices . . ." he said. "People don't realize it's more of an emotional and mental thing that we give up for going over there. I have lost family members because of it. I've lost best friends."
Thing here is, Bredberg returned in 2004. Three years ago!
Far too many troops return and are not properly screened when they return, and are not being brought into the system for constant evaluation and care. As
I wrote earlier last week, even for those troops who do seek help, there are ridiculously high hurdles they must meet, to qualify for care and disability for their mental injury. Failure to bring these guys into the system, properly screen and monitor them, and give them full disability when it's due leads to a host of problems, whether it's homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, or fits of violence against family.
Increased funding for the VA and related veteran care programs would go a long way towards identifying and caring for those veterans with mental injuries, and ensuring that they get the disability payments they are due. And yet, the Administration is still fighting over every dime Congress proposes on spending for veterans.
moreIn order to allow Bush to veto the Labor, Health and Education bill and continue his
cutting "pork" meme, Repubs stripped Veterans Affairs funding from the bill:
Bush: Failing our Veterans, Failing our Nation
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
