Comments on: Mental Health Problems of Iraq Veterans May Be Delayed and Some Reflections

By: Tom Weiner

Tom Weiner — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 15:32:35 +0000

Thank you for your words from the heart, Diane. I think you are correct in comparing what happens to the returning vets to other kinds of trauma victims. Susan just had a 7 year old girl testify in court to abuse that occurred when she was 5. The judge thought she did an incredible job accessing memories and articulating them, but, much to Susan’s amazement and chagrin, the jury, three of whom were close in age to the 19 year old alleged perpetrator, found him innocent. Susan is completely convinced that he did what he was accused of and is heartsick that this girl had to not only experience the initial trauma, but also undergo reliving it and testifying about it, only to have the man who hurt her so badly go free. I feel similarly about those who brought this war upon these veterans. Their lives remain untouched by the trauma they so heartlessly caused to befall these men and women and those who love them. And the same was tragically true during the Vietnam War.

By: Diane Clancy

Diane Clancy — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 23:58:03 +0000

Hi Tom,

And mothers, sisters, daughters, wives who will never be …

I agree with you both. Also this reminds me of PTSD from rape and abuse. I don’t know statistics, but I think often that people do ok for awhile and then it hits them. Often people don’t deal with abuse or rape until much later – especially when it happens to us as kids.

I wonder if some of the difference of reserve and national guard vs regular service members is that from the regulars, they more expected to be in combat? This is total conjecture and not from my experience or reading … just thinking out loud.

Let’s face it too, once people start going to drugs and alcohol to take the edge off reentry, that often causes problems in itself – often including for family members too. I am so glad Sarah raised the issues of family members!!

It is so frustrating!!

~ Diane Clancy
http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog

By: Tom Weiner

Tom Weiner — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:13:50 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing this incredibly important point. Yes, other family members suffer and it is not even showing up as a blip on the radar. I keep thinking that if we really thought about and came to know the real cost of war – let alone a war of aggression like the current one complete with an army of occupation – we would not allow our leaders to immerse our country in war after war. Then I remember that some 15 million of us did our best to stop this one and somehow we were co-opted and it happened in spite of our efforts. But your point is another essential one in painting the full picture of what war does. I am thankful, as I know you are, that your godson’s father is home and intact. I know we both are mindful of all of those fathers, husbands, sons and brothers who aren’t and will never be…

By: Sarah Buttenwieser

Sarah Buttenwieser — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:54:32 +0000

The numbers really don’t reflect the families’ experience & often trauma. I’ll just take this opportunity to share that my godson, whose dad was in Iraq (Navy Reserve of all things) suffered at age 13 mightily: depression, aggression, bordering upon suicidal tendencies & I think these kinds of struggles don’t even make it (barely ever) into the mainstream. At 16, he’s still not entirely comfortably “on track” although thankfully his dad is home safe & actually sound.