Training reflects reality for combat vets
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, February 29, 2008
HOHENFELS, Germany — A training scenario in which a “car bomb” blew up a bus load of Iraqi civilians was nothing new to some of the 18th Engineer Brigade soldiers involved in cleaning up the mess.
Many of the soldiers participating in the training at Hohenfels Joint Multinational Readiness Center are combat veterans who have responded to real mass casualty events in Iraq.
“I can’t count how many times I’ve seen it,” said 370th Engineer Company soldier Spc. Merit Draven, 28, of Sonora, Calif.
During this predeployment training, Draven helped treat simulated wounds that ranged from mutilating blast injuries to amputations and abdominal wounds. But, he added, he’s seen worse.
“I have seen 40 or 50 people (injured) at a time from suicide bombers and IEDs (improvised explosive devices),” he said.
Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Mann, of the 54th Engineer Battalion, said his unit took 14 casualties in a rocket attack on Camp Ramadi in March 2006.
“I was one of them. I had shrapnel wounds,” said the 40-year-old Camarillo, Calif., native, adding that soldiers who helped him and other victims did an outstanding job and everyone who got hurt in the blast survived.
Maj. Damon Knarr, 32, of Merritt Island, Fla., a JMRC observer controller training the engineers, said the car-bomb scenario was a surprise thrown into a route-clearance training mission.
“The VBIED (vehicle borne improvised explosive device) went off in front of their convoy while they were doing route clearance. There were four civilians killed and 10 wounded,” he said.
go here for the rest
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52942
Friday, February 29, 2008
PTSD support for spouses
PTSD support for spouses
By Terri Barns, Special to Stars and Stripes
Scene, Sunday, March 2, 2008
In Spouse Calls blogger comments, one issue comes up more often than any other: Post traumatic stress disorder. Last week’s column included some of those comments from spouses with first- hand experience on the subject.
These messages are significant, both for their individuality and their similarities. Each spouse who watches a loved one suffer through the after- effects of combat has a unique experience, but there are also common feelings and frustrations:
• “This is not the person I married.”
• “He says he doesn’t want to be married any more.”
• “There is so much anger.”
• “Why is he kind to everyone but me?”
• “Am I the only one?”
I point out these similarities not to minimize the individuality of each experience, but to offer an answer to the last question: You are not alone.
There are so many questions I cannot answer, but I can point out resources for help and encouragement.
Operation Homefront is an organization created to meet needs within the military community. Meredith Leyva, a military spouse who founded the organization in 2001, recently announced an Operation Homefront program for spouses of wounded veterans.
go here for the rest
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=140&article=52956&source=rss
By Terri Barns, Special to Stars and Stripes
Scene, Sunday, March 2, 2008
In Spouse Calls blogger comments, one issue comes up more often than any other: Post traumatic stress disorder. Last week’s column included some of those comments from spouses with first- hand experience on the subject.
These messages are significant, both for their individuality and their similarities. Each spouse who watches a loved one suffer through the after- effects of combat has a unique experience, but there are also common feelings and frustrations:
• “This is not the person I married.”
• “He says he doesn’t want to be married any more.”
• “There is so much anger.”
• “Why is he kind to everyone but me?”
• “Am I the only one?”
I point out these similarities not to minimize the individuality of each experience, but to offer an answer to the last question: You are not alone.
There are so many questions I cannot answer, but I can point out resources for help and encouragement.
Operation Homefront is an organization created to meet needs within the military community. Meredith Leyva, a military spouse who founded the organization in 2001, recently announced an Operation Homefront program for spouses of wounded veterans.
go here for the rest
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=140&article=52956&source=rss
Boston Red Sox at Walter Reed
New perspective: Sox shortstop Julio Lugo chats with retired Sgt. 1st Class Roland Paquette during Wednesday’s visit to Washington’s Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Hospital visit good for Sox’ health
FORT MYERS - Though flying to Washington to meet with President Bush on Wednesday and then heading back to Florida the same day was a grind, the trip gave the Red Sox [team stats] valuable perspective on their place in the grand scheme of things.
All it took was a visit to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and speaking with wounded veterans of the United States’ war in Iraq.
“I think the most important part of the trip - you can ask anyone who went on it - was visiting the hospital,” said Josh Beckett [stats] yesterday. “I got to hear several stories, and as terrible as those stories are, it’s something like that that you get to hear that puts everything in perspective for you and makes you realize how fortunate we are to have people like that who are willing to do stuff like that. Those are heroes.”
click post title for the rest
Spc. Gavin Sibayan, Hero, Purple Heart and PTSD along with TBI
When you read stories about heroes, you usually hear of their bravery, their dedication to the country and the men and women they serve with. You usually also hear about awards they are given in recognition of their extraordinary actions. What we do not hear often enough is the word "hero" put with PTSD. We never hear of PTSD in a story associated with the Purple Heart. PTSD is a wound the military does not like to associate with the other wounds. You know the kind of wounds they like. Bullet wounds, bomb wounds, head injuries they can see with their eyes, but they don't like to acknowledge TBI or PTSD. In this story, you have all of this.
Specialist Sibayan, showed great courage by coming out of being unconscious and continuing to fight. He was wounded and deserves the Purple Heart but he should probably receive a Silver Star along with it or at least a Bronze Star for this kind of action.
What I believe he should get is a medal for bravery speaking out on the fact he's also been diagnosed with PTSD. So many, especially the attitude reported from Fort Carson in the past, want to pass off the PTSD wounded as being anything other than brave. They fail to see the courage these men and women exhibit when they continue to fight battles while already wounded by PTSD. Imagine the kind of courage that takes to be willing to keep doing their jobs knowing what doing their jobs are doing to their minds.
They keep going although they know each day, each new traumatic event will increase the hell already waging a battle in their minds. When they are able to sleep, they know they will find no peace in their dreams when sleep only allows the enemy to awaken in the darkness of their dreams.
Most of them will never speak of the wound eating away at them until they are out of danger and not necessary for the rest of the unit. They will seek help, if they seek it at all, when they are home. Why can't the military command see the kind of courage that takes? Why can't they see that if they get these men and women into treatment as soon as possible, they will be able to retain that kind of hero? There is nothing to be ashamed of. They are nothing to be ashamed of. They are a rarity. What will it take for the commanders to figure out that when they commit suicide, they do it when they are not fighting a battle with the rest of their brothers, but fighting a private battle by themselves?
Soldier Receives Purple Heart
Updated: Feb 29, 2008 05:40 PM EST
By Samantha Anderson
s.anderson@krdo.com
FORT CARSON - It's one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed forces. It's also one, that more often than not, is given to a soldier's family and rarely gets pinned on the soldiers themselves.
27-year-old Specialist Gavin Sibayan received a Purple Heart medal Friday morning.
He was honored for his bravery in Iraq. He was deployed in 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In September of 2007, the convoy he was on was hit by an explosive device. "I got hit with shrapnel, I was in the gun, got knocked out for 30 minutes, woke up covered in blood," describes Specialist Sibayan. When he awoke, he got right back up and continued fighting.
Specialist Sibayan now suffers from TBI, PTSD and hip dislocation. He returned home to his wife Stephanie and his son at the end of September and has been in recovery every since.
Specialist Sibayan is currently assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Carson.
Updated: Feb 29, 2008 05:40 PM EST
By Samantha Anderson
s.anderson@krdo.com
FORT CARSON - It's one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to members of the U.S. Armed forces. It's also one, that more often than not, is given to a soldier's family and rarely gets pinned on the soldiers themselves.
27-year-old Specialist Gavin Sibayan received a Purple Heart medal Friday morning.
He was honored for his bravery in Iraq. He was deployed in 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In September of 2007, the convoy he was on was hit by an explosive device. "I got hit with shrapnel, I was in the gun, got knocked out for 30 minutes, woke up covered in blood," describes Specialist Sibayan. When he awoke, he got right back up and continued fighting.
Specialist Sibayan now suffers from TBI, PTSD and hip dislocation. He returned home to his wife Stephanie and his son at the end of September and has been in recovery every since.
Specialist Sibayan is currently assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Carson.
Specialist Sibayan, showed great courage by coming out of being unconscious and continuing to fight. He was wounded and deserves the Purple Heart but he should probably receive a Silver Star along with it or at least a Bronze Star for this kind of action.
What I believe he should get is a medal for bravery speaking out on the fact he's also been diagnosed with PTSD. So many, especially the attitude reported from Fort Carson in the past, want to pass off the PTSD wounded as being anything other than brave. They fail to see the courage these men and women exhibit when they continue to fight battles while already wounded by PTSD. Imagine the kind of courage that takes to be willing to keep doing their jobs knowing what doing their jobs are doing to their minds.
They keep going although they know each day, each new traumatic event will increase the hell already waging a battle in their minds. When they are able to sleep, they know they will find no peace in their dreams when sleep only allows the enemy to awaken in the darkness of their dreams.
Most of them will never speak of the wound eating away at them until they are out of danger and not necessary for the rest of the unit. They will seek help, if they seek it at all, when they are home. Why can't the military command see the kind of courage that takes? Why can't they see that if they get these men and women into treatment as soon as possible, they will be able to retain that kind of hero? There is nothing to be ashamed of. They are nothing to be ashamed of. They are a rarity. What will it take for the commanders to figure out that when they commit suicide, they do it when they are not fighting a battle with the rest of their brothers, but fighting a private battle by themselves?
Stoughton Fire Capt. Doug Campbell in Iraq and shafted by town
"I went on active duty in 2001 and served overseas -- same scenario. The town did zero for me. They said they did something -- they did zero," said firefighter Joe Vister.
Firefighters Say Town Being Unpatriotic
Captain's Benefits Altered While Serving Overseas
POSTED: 5:47 pm EST February 29, 2008
STOUGHTON, Mass. -- More than 100 firefighters from across the state protested Friday in Stoughton on behalf of Fire Capt. Doug Campbell, who is serving in Iraq.
NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that the union says the town is being cheap and unpatriotic in regard to Campbell's pay while he's away, but town officials say that couldn't be further from the truth.
go here for the rest
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/15453839/detail.html
Firefighters Say Town Being Unpatriotic
Captain's Benefits Altered While Serving Overseas
POSTED: 5:47 pm EST February 29, 2008
STOUGHTON, Mass. -- More than 100 firefighters from across the state protested Friday in Stoughton on behalf of Fire Capt. Doug Campbell, who is serving in Iraq.
NewsCenter 5's Jack Harper reported that the union says the town is being cheap and unpatriotic in regard to Campbell's pay while he's away, but town officials say that couldn't be further from the truth.
go here for the rest
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/15453839/detail.html
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