Minneapolis VA sees spiritual warfare in PTSD research

Researchers at the Minneapolis VA are taking a good look at the spiritual part of Combat PTSD. It isn't as if no one has done this before but it seems as if this study may be one of the better ones. After reading the following article, it seems as if they actually get it.

Combat PTSD is different from the other types following the other causes and there is a very simple reason for it. They risk their lives to save others but their job often requires taking live in order to save. War is ugly and violent. They end believing they are as well but they are far from it. They fight a battle with the psychological part of surviving traumas of combat yet the hardest battle is fighting the spiritual war.

PTSD Not God's Judgment 2008 5:59
After 26 years of outreach talking to veterans and living with my husband, one of the most common things I hear is that PTSD veterans feel judged or abandoned by God because of what they saw and had to do. They forget Christ said the greatest deed a person could do was to be willing to lay down their lives for the sake of their friends. They also forget that God created a warrior before He created mankind. That warrior is the Archangel Michael. He knew there would have to be defenders and put that willingness into the souls of a select few. War did not make these men and women heroes.

They were born that way.

Submitted by: NamGuardianAngel (aka Kathie Costos)
Inspirational
Keywords: faith PTSD Post Traumatic Stress veterans Vietnam Iraq Afghanistan warrior Archangel Michael

"The lack of resiliency among soldiers who met this definition was alarming," said Dr. Irene Harris, the VA psychologist leading the research. In other words, Comprehensive Soldier Fitness did not work, which has been pointed out many times on Wounded Times going back to 2009 and tracked across the country. The bad outcome of CSF was known in far too many homes as families and friends blamed themselves.

This article points out how long the VA has been looking at the spiritual connection to reversing much of the damage done. When the whole part of the veteran is treated, body-mind-spirit, they live much better lives and most of the time, the first thing they want to do is help others heal as well.

Minneapolis VA studies invisible scars from combat
Star Tribune
Article by: JEREMY OLSON
August 10, 2014

Researchers at the Minneapolis VA probe whether killing in combat leaves lasting spiritual wounds.

The two soldiers followed standard rules of engagement as a suspicious truck rolled toward their convoy in Iraq.

First, they fired a warning flare. But the truck kept coming. Then, a warning shot with live ammunition. The truck kept coming.

Then, they took aim at the driver, shooting and killing him.

Yet when they searched the vehicle, they found no weapons or bombs around the dead man.

Soon, they were sitting with Minnesota National Guard chaplain Steve Timm, anguishing over whether they had committed an unforgivable sin that violated their Christian beliefs.

“It’s really, really tough,” Timm said, “to believe that God hates you.”

Those kinds of deadly wartime encounters — and their imprints on soldiers’ consciences — are the focus of a new movement among military medical researchers to study “moral injuries,” the invisible scars on soldiers who believe they have committed condemnable acts.

Psychologists at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis are at the forefront of the work, helping to define moral injury, examining how it aggravates mental disorders, and testing whether an experimental form of group therapy can heal such wounds of the spirit.

A study of survey results for 814 Minnesota National Guard members who served in Iraq over the past decade showed that those who experienced moral injury had higher levels of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Moral injury generally refers to any type of guilt, shame, or depression that arises from actions that may have violated deeply held beliefs. But for this study, which was presented at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center last month, soldiers met the criteria if they killed in combat, felt their actions were unforgivable, and believed that God had abandoned them.

The lack of resiliency among soldiers who met this definition was alarming, said Dr. Irene Harris, the VA psychologist leading the research. “Basically, [they feel] at my spiritual functioning level, I don’t think I belong here in the world. I’m not worth it. I have a sense that I should not be here.’’
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Saturday program will honor, remember Minnesota's Vietnam-era veterans

Saturday program will honor, remember Minnesota's Vietnam-era veterans
Hundreds of Vietnam-era veterans will gather Saturday at the state Capitol for a long-delayed ceremony thanking them for their service.
By Rubén Rosario

Updated: 06/11/2009 11:48:36 AM CDT



Jerry Kyser survived two tours in Vietnam. The helicopter mechanic crew chief/machine gunner came home with undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder. He also returned to a divided nation that essentially treated him and others like crap.

On Saturday, the 64-year-old Roseville resident and thousands of other Vietnam War-era veterans from Minnesota will get the long-delayed thanks they deserve.

Those veterans and their families will be officially honored for their service at an all-day affair at the state Capitol grounds. Event officials expect a crowd of more than 5,000, including at least 1,000 Minnesota Vietnam-era veterans who pre-registered to attend the free event.

"The response to this event has been overwhelmingly positive," said Clark Dyrud, commissioner of Minnesota's Department of Veterans Affairs.

"This is a day for Vietnam-era veterans to reunite with each other and celebrate with the community," added Dyrud, who served a year in Vietnam as a sergeant with the Army's 25th Infantry Division. "This event will recognize those who served during the Vietnam era, and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice."

go here for more

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_12565317?nclick_check=1

Honoring All Vietnam Era Veterans Day in Minnesota

Please email her and thank her for such a wonder article.

Viewpoint: Minnesota strives to support veterans, active military
Julie Bunn, Viewpoint Writer, Woodbury Bulletin
Published Tuesday, June 09, 2009

This past Memorial Day, while taking a week vacation with my family, I had the privilege of attending an early morning service at the Vietnam Support Base, Landside at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Charleston, S.C.

For me, it was one of the most moving memorial services I have ever attended.

While the event honored all those that served and had given the ultimate sacrifice for our country, the setting and the speakers were chosen to make a special statement about, and to, those who served in Vietnam.


The service was held in the midst of a recreated Vietnam military base (an on-going exhibit), complete with buildings, jeeps, helicopters and support equipment.

The keynote speaker had led several units in Vietnam, and spoke eloquently and movingly of the young men who served under him, and their and their families’ sacrifices for our country.

Most importantly, in light of our present challenges, and our nation’s future, he spoke of the fact that these soldiers did not always receive the welcome home, after care or respect that they deserved.

We were here this Memorial Day not just to remember and honor them, but to learn from our past mistakes regarding how we responded at home.

Unfortunately, the world is such that we still face challenges and military conflicts around the globe. While as free citizens in a democracy, we may not always agree about the international and military policies and decisions of our elected leaders, and thus will continue to experience spirited debate around these issues.

We have, however, evolved as a country and citizenry in our unified show of support for our active military and veterans, and in our efforts to both be available to their families when they are away and meet their needs on their return home.

Throughout my service in the Minnesota Legislature, there has been universal support for initiatives to support our veterans and men and women in uniform.

During my first term in the Minnesota House of Representatives, we passed significant legislation to show veterans of every war that Minnesota recognizes their commitment and sacrifice.

In 2007, veterans' initiatives included funding for suicide prevention and psychological support for returning combat veterans, increased funding for the State Soldier Assistance Program and for Veterans County Service Officer Assistance grants, and a "GI bill" with extensive education benefits for returning soldiers.

In 2008, veterans' initiatives included tax credits for disabled veterans, exempting National Guard drill pay in-state and active services in Minnesota from taxes, and expanding the Minnesota GI Bill and the War Survivor's Act.

At the start of my second term, I am pleased to report that the Minnesota State Legislature remains committed to preserving programs and services for our veterans and National Guard.

In 2009, we continued to support our veterans and troops despite a record budget shortfall by increasing funding for Veterans Homes by 5.3 percent, for Veterans Services Programs by 6.1 percent, and for Military Affairs by 7.6 percent.

This coming weekend, we have yet another opportunity to reflect on and honor those who have served our country.

I invite you to join the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and the Minnesota Veterans community on Saturday, June 13 at the State Capitol grounds as Minnesota Honors Vietnam Era Veterans.

On April 3, 2009, Gov. Pawlenty signed legislation declaring June 13 “Honoring All Vietnam Era Veterans Day” in Minnesota.

The day will begin at 8:50 a.m. with a Gold Star Family prayer service and end at 8 p.m. with evening entertainment.

Events will include the Vietnam memorial traveling wall, a parade of colors, a Killed-In-Action roll call, fly-overs and meeting opportunities with units and platoons.

This will be the largest Vietnam veteran event in Minnesota history and is free and open to the public.

For additional information, see the event website at www.mnhonorsvietnamvets.org, or contact Ms. Sarah Graves at (651) 757-1550 or e-mail sara.graves@state.mn.us.

Finally, I invite you to join a new effort in our local communities to make sure that our military families have the on-going support they need.

Under the leadership of committed citizens and public officials, and in conjunction with a larger Yellow Ribbon Network, our communities are now organizing to provide greater avenues for support.

Please contact me (296-4244) to be linked to local efforts.


Bunn (DFL-Lake Elmo) represents District 56A in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She can be reached at (651) 296-4244, by mail at 521 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 or via e-mail at rep.Julie.bunn@house.mn.

http://www.woodburybulletin.com/articles/index.cfm?id=31799&section=Opinion