Veteran’s Day
Yet today that
noble service lays tattered amidst the empty and shallow promises of our
leaders. We must demand of them: Send them not to futile sacrifice on shores so
far from home, but keep your word that none shall ever die in vain.
Make available
and provide for them the full funding and medical facilities to treat their
wounded bodies and spirits. Let “Support the Troops” be an action you take and
not merely words you make.
Honor them in
this way. You owe them this much
~ Rich Raitano 2006
November 11, 2006
November 11, 2006
Know them
Know them as tears fill their eyes at the sight of a child while memories repeat a vision of dead, militated, burnt children cast beside the road
to Baghdad. Know them as they smile while talking about their best friend dying. Know them as you discover they sleep on the floor and run
nightly patrols. Know them as a slight disagreement explodes into a killing rage and the vet is stepping backwards seeking his knives and guns.
Know them as they get and lose as many different jobs as they have years separated from the war. Know them as they condemn themselves
for the smallest mistake because in their world a mistake will kill someone. Know them as they display anti-social and addictive behavior.
Know them as they struggle with borderline personality disorders and extreme difficulties with interpersonal relationships. Know them who
suffer the pain as they pronounce that others deserve veterans benefits more than they do. Know them as they walk in the woods while keeping
a proper spacing between people they are with and constantly registering the next closest spot for cover and concealment. Know them as they
travel across six states to help a friend but they would not cross the street to save their own ass. Know them as they will not come to you for help.
They are to proud. Know them as you would your own. Provide for them for the rest of their lives the mental, medical and social tools that reflect
our ability to honor the veteran.
Know them.
Foxtrot
Know them as tears fill their eyes at the sight of a child while memories repeat a vision of dead, militated, burnt children cast beside the road
to Baghdad. Know them as they smile while talking about their best friend dying. Know them as you discover they sleep on the floor and run
nightly patrols. Know them as a slight disagreement explodes into a killing rage and the vet is stepping backwards seeking his knives and guns.
Know them as they get and lose as many different jobs as they have years separated from the war. Know them as they condemn themselves
for the smallest mistake because in their world a mistake will kill someone. Know them as they display anti-social and addictive behavior.
Know them as they struggle with borderline personality disorders and extreme difficulties with interpersonal relationships. Know them who
suffer the pain as they pronounce that others deserve veterans benefits more than they do. Know them as they walk in the woods while keeping
a proper spacing between people they are with and constantly registering the next closest spot for cover and concealment. Know them as they
travel across six states to help a friend but they would not cross the street to save their own ass. Know them as they will not come to you for help.
They are to proud. Know them as you would your own. Provide for them for the rest of their lives the mental, medical and social tools that reflect
our ability to honor the veteran.
Know them.
Foxtrot
November 11, 2006
Unhealed
" Unhealed PTSD can devastate life and incapacitate its victims from participation in the domestic, economic and political life of the nation.
The painfull paradox is that fighting for one's country may render one unfit to be its citizen."
" Unhealed PTSD can devastate life and incapacitate its victims from participation in the domestic, economic and political life of the nation.
The painfull paradox is that fighting for one's country may render one unfit to be its citizen."
The above quote by Dr. Jonathan Shay in his book, "Achilles in Vietnam", See review in the book store.
A Veteran - whether Active Duty, Retired, National Guard or Reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check, made payable to "The United States of America", for the amount of "up to and including my life." That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.
~~ Author unknown