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| English: signs and symptoms ptsd (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| Regions of the brain affected by PTSD and stress. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| English: Cases of PTSD and Severe Depression Among U.S. Veterans Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan Between Oct 2001 and Oct 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
I worked with those of the Vietnam Era.Many either were Veterans or had people who had served "over there".18years had past since common folks were told that we did not have people still "over there".Veterans Knew those who were left behind without hope.A government that seemed mentally and emotionally Novocain ed. Evading families of those who still could not believe the American Government would dump the greatest warriors in the world into a historical abyss.No answers and no responses to queries of their missing children sent to war.
As the factory shift approached the glass doors to the cafeteria we here frantic screaming from a familiar male voice.I remember looking through the door and seeing a strange sight.The maintenance man was behind an overturned table behind what appeared to be a heavy machine gun.He was "firing" in a semi circle at oncoming enemy trying to over take his men's position.He was screaming for a medic for his buddy and yelling to get help on his position....There was great stress in his face and desperation in his voice.He was holding his position to save his people 18years after that battle happened in reality.His mind was still in Hell with his long dead comrades.His heart was still with his men.That is loyalty not found in the "Civilized world"
My foreman realized as a veteran also what he was seeing.He went to the door behind the pseudo machine gun position and shouted in a command voice the following :soldier stand down,they are gone,stand down,that is a direct order.The machine gunner stop,said nothing at first then slowly looked around in bewilderment.He began to weep as he looked at those who knew him as a lovable good natured mechanic.He suffered a flashback and also suffered PTSD.He had never told anyone and the VA had not yet been able to change the damage of a war that became a profitable & political meat grinder.
This was still his reality so long afterwards.He was still held prisoner of the hell that is so glorified by those never dropped into that kind of hell.Then returned undamaged to what is expected of "civilized people".
Like nothing happened.Just a job "over there"
Flash ahead to a time that hit me personally and very hard.Riding in my beautiful Peterbilt truck with my beloved Jeanine.The Girl of my dreams That I couldn't imagined would ever happen in my life.
WE stopped for a Pizza at a Pizza Hut restaurant.WE were watching a childrens birthday party while we waited for our order.
My smiling dinner date was sitting there trying to stay calm,but I knew something was wrong by her actions.The children had pizza sauce all over their faces and in their hair.They were laughing and some were chasing others around with sauce on hands.
Typical 4 or 5year old boys and girls having fun at a party.Just being kids while that magic time in life is innocent and fun.I later was told while overseas she had witnessed children being murdered by their parents to keep them from Muslims torturing them.She was a mother in Navy service 14years.That mental attack was to overcome her mind.
She went missing in spite of looking for her.I searched for her and eventually found she had had VA time,went homeless for a year or so and was now deceased...
I will remember her always.War destroys many people who have those beloved Warriors.Focus your energies to become a force for the positive.It will make you a victim if you allow it to rule your life.
Embrace it and use it wisely....
I noticed my lady was becoming very agitated and nervous.I said hun,is something wrong?she looked at me with a puzzled look and replied in a way that was not her,"why am I embarrassing you"? I replied like this,"No but I can see you are in trouble here,lets take out and get some air,Okay?
We left with the pizza and road for many hours in the air of tension.Later I learned of her medical discharge for a condition that hits many service people.It has no discriminatory selection on religion,race,sex,or national origin.It disables the logical and emotional mind.It destroys the beautiful
organized lives of the civilized spirit.The lives that are attacked rarely recover without help and self willpower.
Consider that the soldier in uniform has been drilled to be a unit.The military is your mother and your father.There is no other family beyond the uniform.You fight together,you live together.You guard each other back.No one left behind....No one left behind?
Then the order comes to go home.The wound happens that sends you home to that life that you left behind.The one you remember.The children, the home you and your pardner worked so hard for.
Ahh yes a quiet life .no bombs,no bullets attempting to tear your life away.
It is so wonderful to think you can get back to the life that you left.....so wonderful to return to the life you left....
The are two quotes here to remember though.You can never go home again.Anyone who goes on a journey,never returns the same.This is so true of those returning from anywhere.War or Hell is unique in the fact that Demons of Hell follows victims to torment them.This hell has a name.It's name is Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome Disorder.
The cause is debatable by many.The victims know the facts.The unit is sent home as single human beings.The group support is no longer there to guard the backs of the brothers and sisters once in uniforms.The Warrior stands all alone.The returning civilian is changed from the journey.That warrior has no one that can even come close to understanding their changes.Those families,lovers,past folks they grew up with see those changes and wonder what happened to that kid after they went over there.
There are many organizations that try to help that Warrior to continue on their changed paths of life.
One of them is called K9S for Warriors.They provide returning Warriors with Service dogs to walk that path.A companion to guard their backs .
It seems foolish to many.It is extremely tactical for that Warrior to have the support and friendship of
a true friend.That Dog may even have been where the Warrior has been.
PLEASE help this Organization to Help our Warriors who just need someone to guard their backs.
This world where We seem to forget the last bloody human conflict.We let the war machine find a new reason to feed more lives into the carnage called war.
We must support the human beings who become Warriors.Until we can stop the war machine with more logical solutions to fighting oppression and evil,We must support those who go forth and meet the things that would make us slaves to destructive philosophies.
Support the troops away from home .Support those Warriors who return changed.Take the time to help them any way you can.WELCOME HOME WARRIORS.There are many options to help the Veterans if they want or need those services.Many Returning Warriors feel the Government has not done well by them and avoid the VA and other organizations.This ORG.is one dedicated to assist in a positive purpose that will be long lasting and positive.
The K9Sfor Warriors.org is one organization that is worthy of support.Please look into it.
RJP
Please support our troops and folks in uniform.There is a bill pending to help improve health care for our troops when they need it.you can find info.at Change.org.It is very simple to fill out your name,E-mail and why it is important to do.It is also the right thing to do.They are the best in the world.
RJP
