Verteran

It’s Memorial Day in the US. I’ve been pondering what that means. Usually the television schedule is filled with shows and stories oriented toward the US military experience. The menu includes movies about Vietnam, World War II, and the Revolutionary War. Pursuant to its tradition, the Discovery Channel will allocate several hours to the examination of the weapon systems currently available or being planned for the United State’s military arsenal. Even the History Channel will devote special attention to one or more of the United State’s many military exploits over the last 230 years. The streets in towns across the country will be lined with US flags, and local newspapers will be drenched with stories about heroes and warriors.  read more »

One of the first field problems that I ever took part in was a Battalion Field Training Exercise. My part in the event was rather insignificant. My unit was transitioning from being a Light Infantry Unit to one that utilized armored vehicles. My first duty position was as the headquarters LAV (Light Armored Vehicle) driver. Our unit had not received any vehicles yet, so I did not have much to do. In fact, since I didn't have a job, I had no reason to go into the field.  read more »

A soldier never rushes through the rain
Or speaks of pain
Especially his own
Every emotion is out on loan
And must be paid back
To Iraq
Or Afghanistan or Cuba
Whichever they left behind
And it haunts them everyday
As they beg for dimes
Begging and swaggering on the street
Scraping up together change to eat
And to drink
So they no longer have to think
Because there VA check still hasnt come in
Again
And they think that there forgotten
And they might be right
After all they can no longer fight
And they sleep in that dark alley
Watching for cops
And trying to make the nightmares stop
Every day they live with this pain
Yet still walk calmly through the rain

For anyone interested in a fairly up-to-date blog focusing almost entirely on PTSD issues and contemporary therapeutic thinking and techniques, check out "Healing Combat Trauma".  It also includes a comprehensive list of articles, books, publications, and links to other possible resources.  The most recent entry explores the idea called "Emotional Freedom Technique".  read more »

"I speak now because I agree with Dante, that the hottest place in hell is reserved for those that, in a time of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.

I see this war as an unjust, evil and futile war. I preach to you today on the war in Vietnam because my conscience leaves me with no other choice. The time has come for America to hear the truth about this tragic war. In international conflicts the truth is hard to come by, because most nations are deceived about themselves. Rationalizations and the incessant search for scapegoats are the psychological cataracts that blind us to our sins.  read more »