U.S. Navy vessels collide near Iran
Story Highlights
NEW: Nuclear propulsion plant on submarine not damaged, Navy says
USS Hartford, USS New Orleans collide near Arabian Peninsula
15 sailors on Hartford injured, returned to duty
Fuel tank on New Orleans ruptures, spilling 25,000 gallons of fuel
(CNN) -- A U.S. Navy submarine collided with a Navy amphibious ship Friday in the Strait of Hormuz, mildly injuring 15 sailors, according to the commander of the U.S. Fifth Fleet.
The submarine USS Hartford and amphibious ship USS New Orleans are shown in Navy photos.
The submarine, the USS Hartford, collided with the USS New Orleans about 1 a.m. in the strait, which runs between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. It is one of the busiest commercial routes for oil tankers.
Fifteen aboard the Hartford were injured but returned to duty, according to a news release.
Both vessels are operating on their own power.
click link for more
Friday, March 20, 2009
Race-car drivers get peek at Army life
Race-car drivers get peek at Army life
By Will Graves - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 19, 2009 19:10:37 EDT
FORT KNOX, Ky. — You’d think since Tony Stewart doesn’t blink while going 180 mph at NASCAR tracks every weekend that he wouldn’t be impressed by a vehicle that tops out at 45 mph.
Then again, Stewart doesn’t drive an Army tank.
Stewart admits he got a little trigger happy while in a tank simulator during a visit Thursday to Fort Knox, firing shells at random targets in the western Kentucky base’s Close Combat Tactical Trainer Facility.
Stewart — who co-owns the No. 39 Sprint Cup car co-sponsored by the Army — and NHRA driver Tony Schumacher spent a few hours with soldiers, getting a taste of Army life that hardly resembled the battles Stewart would wage with green plastic Army men in his parent’s garden growing up.
The drivers took a glimpse at the cramped seat used by the tank drivers and marveled at how they can handle the massive machines without so much as a rearview mirror.
click link for more
By Will Graves - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 19, 2009 19:10:37 EDT
FORT KNOX, Ky. — You’d think since Tony Stewart doesn’t blink while going 180 mph at NASCAR tracks every weekend that he wouldn’t be impressed by a vehicle that tops out at 45 mph.
Then again, Stewart doesn’t drive an Army tank.
Stewart admits he got a little trigger happy while in a tank simulator during a visit Thursday to Fort Knox, firing shells at random targets in the western Kentucky base’s Close Combat Tactical Trainer Facility.
Stewart — who co-owns the No. 39 Sprint Cup car co-sponsored by the Army — and NHRA driver Tony Schumacher spent a few hours with soldiers, getting a taste of Army life that hardly resembled the battles Stewart would wage with green plastic Army men in his parent’s garden growing up.
The drivers took a glimpse at the cramped seat used by the tank drivers and marveled at how they can handle the massive machines without so much as a rearview mirror.
click link for more
Jobless rate at 11.2% for veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan
Jobless rate at 11.2% for veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan
By Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The economic downturn is hitting Iraq and Afghanistan veterans harder than other workers — one in nine are now out of work — and may be encouraging some troops to remain in the service, according to Labor Department records and military officials.
The 11.2% jobless rate for veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and who are 18 and older rose 4 percentage points in the past year. That's significantly higher than the corresponding 8.8% rate for non-veterans in the same age group, says Labor Department economist Jim Walker.
Army records show the service has hit 152% of its re-enlistment goal this year. "Obviously the economy plays a big role in people's decisions," says Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, an Army spokesman.
Some soldiers are re-enlisting specifically because of the poor civilian job market, says Sgt. 1st Class Julius Kelley, a career counselor at Fort Campbell, Ky. "It's job security (in the Army), and I try to sell that all the time," he says. "You don't have to worry about getting laid off in the Army."
The market is tough outside the Army. Unemployment among the youngest of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, those ages 20 to 24, reached 15% in February, records show.
go here for more
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-03-19-jobless-veterans_N.htm
By Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The economic downturn is hitting Iraq and Afghanistan veterans harder than other workers — one in nine are now out of work — and may be encouraging some troops to remain in the service, according to Labor Department records and military officials.
The 11.2% jobless rate for veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and who are 18 and older rose 4 percentage points in the past year. That's significantly higher than the corresponding 8.8% rate for non-veterans in the same age group, says Labor Department economist Jim Walker.
Army records show the service has hit 152% of its re-enlistment goal this year. "Obviously the economy plays a big role in people's decisions," says Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, an Army spokesman.
Some soldiers are re-enlisting specifically because of the poor civilian job market, says Sgt. 1st Class Julius Kelley, a career counselor at Fort Campbell, Ky. "It's job security (in the Army), and I try to sell that all the time," he says. "You don't have to worry about getting laid off in the Army."
The market is tough outside the Army. Unemployment among the youngest of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, those ages 20 to 24, reached 15% in February, records show.
go here for more
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-03-19-jobless-veterans_N.htm
Something We Can All Agree On: Voluntary Assistance to Veterans
Something We Can All Agree On: Voluntary Assistance to Veterans
Huffington Post - New York,NY,USA
Robert S. McElvaine
Posted March 19, 2009 | 08:49 PM (EST)
Today we mark the sixth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq. Recent reports indicate that the situation there has improved considerably. The focus is shifting back to Afghanistan. President Obama has made good on his campaign promise to set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. The question remains, though, with a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and uncertainty in the surrounding region, whether our troops will actually come home or whether they will be redeployed to Afghanistan or elsewhere.
We have lost nearly 5000 American men and women who, we can all agree, regardless of our personal feelings about the wars, bravely served our country. More than 33,000 Americans have been severely wounded. Beyond these horrifying numbers are the psychological toll these wars are taking on our service members and their families with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries, as well as the everyday, but very serious, stress and strain that deployments and separations can have on marriages and families. Sadly, these problems are not going to disappear when the wars ever end. Studies show that post-traumatic stress never truly goes away but it can be managed. These studies also show that in order for the normal reactions-stress that one would expect anyone to have after experiencing combat and other terrifying situations-not to become a full-blown disorder, professional mental health services should be accessed quickly.
The DoD and VA are making an effort to address the issue, but they also seem to be moving at the normal speed of government, rather than the sort of accelerated government speed the financial crisis has produced. We must look to the private sector to step in to ensure that help is available when and where it is needed.
This anniversary of the war is an appropriate time to take note of the work of Give an Hour (www.giveanhour.org), a nonprofit organization that has created a national network of mental health professionals who are providing free counseling to military personnel, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families. The Give an Hour network has nearly 4,000 professional volunteers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
click link for more
Huffington Post - New York,NY,USA
Robert S. McElvaine
Posted March 19, 2009 | 08:49 PM (EST)
Today we mark the sixth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq. Recent reports indicate that the situation there has improved considerably. The focus is shifting back to Afghanistan. President Obama has made good on his campaign promise to set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. The question remains, though, with a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and uncertainty in the surrounding region, whether our troops will actually come home or whether they will be redeployed to Afghanistan or elsewhere.
We have lost nearly 5000 American men and women who, we can all agree, regardless of our personal feelings about the wars, bravely served our country. More than 33,000 Americans have been severely wounded. Beyond these horrifying numbers are the psychological toll these wars are taking on our service members and their families with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries, as well as the everyday, but very serious, stress and strain that deployments and separations can have on marriages and families. Sadly, these problems are not going to disappear when the wars ever end. Studies show that post-traumatic stress never truly goes away but it can be managed. These studies also show that in order for the normal reactions-stress that one would expect anyone to have after experiencing combat and other terrifying situations-not to become a full-blown disorder, professional mental health services should be accessed quickly.
The DoD and VA are making an effort to address the issue, but they also seem to be moving at the normal speed of government, rather than the sort of accelerated government speed the financial crisis has produced. We must look to the private sector to step in to ensure that help is available when and where it is needed.
This anniversary of the war is an appropriate time to take note of the work of Give an Hour (www.giveanhour.org), a nonprofit organization that has created a national network of mental health professionals who are providing free counseling to military personnel, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families. The Give an Hour network has nearly 4,000 professional volunteers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
click link for more
CNN False Outrage Is Not The Change We Need
by
Chaplain Kathie
$165 million in bonuses? Is this just something to jump on so that CNN and the rest of the media can fill time with instead of reporting on things that we really need investigated? While I do not want to just focus on CNN because all news stations are guilty of false outrage, CNN attracts viewers across political lines.
There are bigger issues dealing with a lot more tax payer funds and American lives that should have been reported on at least as much as the AIG story, but they were not. They were dropped soon after they were reported on and there were no resolutions, no public outrage, no justice and no accountability. This is just one case;
When hundreds of billions of tax payer funds were missing in Iraq, how much reporting was done on it? Did we ever get an answer on who was responsible or held accountable? Did anyone repay the money or go to jail? What about Hallibuton and KBR? Did anyone get to the bottom of how much they ripped off the tax payers? Even more important was anyone ever charged with the damage they caused the troops in Iraq? Think about this;
And then we have the burn pits in Iraq as well as Afghanistan. Where are the reports on this? Does CNN or any of the other stations have any time to spend reporting on this? How many are sick because of this or died because of this? Any reporting on the troops that we are supposed to care about?
What about PTSD and the attempted suicides as well as the successful suicides? How about the steps the military was supposed to be taking to address them when the numbers were going up every year proving once again the military just produced a "better than nothing" program to address the suffering of thousands of our troops. The rate of suicides in the military has gone up every year. There are over 10,000 attempted suicides every year. Where are the stories on them or what happened to their families after?
What about the backlog of claims in the VA and what fighting the VA does to a veteran wounded in service to the nation, forced to fight to have their claim honored and what kind of suffering they go thru waiting? Have any idea how many families fell apart because of this? Do you have any idea how many children ended up blaming themselves for the way their parent acted because they had no clue what PTSD was?
What about the troops dishonorably discharged with a false diagnosis of "personality disorder" instead of being treated for PTSD and compensated for this wound? How many loved the military and would have stayed in, serving with dedication if they were treated honorably? What ever happened to them? What happened to their families? Was anyone ever held accountable for doing this to them?
The we have stories of veterans taking their own suffering and turning that understanding into advocacy for other veterans. Where are their stories? It's not as the media would have to search very hard for their stories or any of the others because they are reported on across the nation by the local media. Wouldn't it be great to put some focus on them for a change?
A dear friend of mine, Capt. Agnes "Irish" Bresnahan, a Vietnam Era veteran suffered with Agent Orange illnesses and PTSD for years. On March 9, 2009, she had another hearing on her VA claim in Washington DC. That is where she passed away because a bleeding ulcer made her lose pints of blood and her heart could take no more. She fought the VA for herself, but was a tireless advocate for her brothers and sisters also suffering for serving. Do you think that CNN could value a human interest story like that? Do you think any of the national news stations think any of these stories are worthy of the kind of attention AIG bonus money has received?
Feeding the outrage over AIG, while it is an important story and we do deserve answers, does not excuse the lack of reporting on stories involving a lot more tax payer funds and a lot more lives. We can say we support the troops all we want but if the media does not spend any time on them or what they are going thru, they are empty words. We know the public has their hearts tugged by the troops and our veterans. When the reports came out on Walter Reed the response from the American people was fantastic and proved how much they do care about those serving this nation. Isn't it time that CNN and the rest of the national media stations realized this? This is the kind of change the troops and our veterans need. This is the kind of change tax payers need. This is the kind of reporting we need if we are ever going to get any of this right for their sake.
web site
http://www.namguardianangel.com/
blog
http://www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com/
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
Chaplain Kathie
$165 million in bonuses? Is this just something to jump on so that CNN and the rest of the media can fill time with instead of reporting on things that we really need investigated? While I do not want to just focus on CNN because all news stations are guilty of false outrage, CNN attracts viewers across political lines.
There are bigger issues dealing with a lot more tax payer funds and American lives that should have been reported on at least as much as the AIG story, but they were not. They were dropped soon after they were reported on and there were no resolutions, no public outrage, no justice and no accountability. This is just one case;
Thursday, March 06, 2008
KBR making money off taxpayers but not paying their's
Top Iraq contractorskirts US taxes offshore
Kellogg Brown & Root, the nation's top Iraq war contractor and until last year a subsidiary of Halliburton Corp., has avoided paying hundreds of millions of dollars in federal Medicare and Social Security taxes by hiring workers through shell companies based in this tropical tax haven. (By Farah Stockman, Boston Globe)
When hundreds of billions of tax payer funds were missing in Iraq, how much reporting was done on it? Did we ever get an answer on who was responsible or held accountable? Did anyone repay the money or go to jail? What about Hallibuton and KBR? Did anyone get to the bottom of how much they ripped off the tax payers? Even more important was anyone ever charged with the damage they caused the troops in Iraq? Think about this;
Friday, October 12, 2007
Did Your Soldier Come Home Sick From Iraq?
Halliburton provided contaminated water to Soldiers
Al Asad Airbase is the focus of the video I just added to this blog. It wasn't such a big secret considering it has been played across the country to the "liberals" who cared enough to see it. Ben Carter, worked for KBR/Halliburton as a water purification specialist.In the video, he talks about the fact the water at Al-Asad was contaminated. Chlorine was not found in the water supply that was supposed to be added to it. We've heard horrible stories about cholera outbreaks in Iraq, along with super bugs, as water is not fit to drink or bathe in. Yet our government contracted with companies and then provided no oversight to make sure the troops were provided with everything they were paying for.
You can find more about KBR reports here.
KBR search on Screaming In An Empty Room
And then we have the burn pits in Iraq as well as Afghanistan. Where are the reports on this? Does CNN or any of the other stations have any time to spend reporting on this? How many are sick because of this or died because of this? Any reporting on the troops that we are supposed to care about?
Friday, December 12, 2008
In Eustis, wife seeks answers about Iraq veteran's deadly tumor
Amy C. Rippel Special to the Sentinel
December 12, 2008
EUSTIS - When Kevin Wilkins died suddenly in April from a brain tumor, there was nothing his wife, Jill, could do.Within days of being diagnosed, he was dead. There was no time to react. No time to help. No time to say goodbye.But now Jill Wilkins is questioning whether his tumor might have been because of exposure to chemical clouds when he served in Iraq, and she has taken matters into her own hands. Time is on her side now. And she wants answers.She has launched a one-woman campaign to find out if her husband's contact with the smoke from burn pits was the reason for his brain tumor. In Iraq, where Kevin Wilkins served two tours, trash is burned in pits. Everything from chemicals to plastics is burned, releasing toxins into the air, according to one report.The U.S. Air Force recently said that the burn pits pose no long-term health risks. However, an earlier Air Force report said the pits were a "health concern."The Eustis woman said if her husband's death is related to his military service, she and her children -- a 17-year-old son and a 16-year-old daughter -- don't stand to gain a lot financially. Mostly, she's pursuing it this she could possibly help other families, she said.click above for more
I also just found this on Army Times.
Petraeus: Military studying burn pit fumesBy Kelly Kennedy - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Dec 12, 2008 17:10:38 EST
In response to a question about the burn pit at Joint Air Base Balad, Gen. David Petraeus, the chief of U.S. Central Command, said the need for burn pits will continue, but the military is trying to minimize exposure to possible toxins.“Much effort has gone into locating/relocating pits in remote areas of the operating bases to minimize exposure, training personnel on proper operation, developing/circulating operating procedures and assessing burn pit operations to include corrective action,” Petraeus wrote.After Military Times investigated possible chemicals and dioxins troops may have been exposed to in Afghanistan and Iraq from giant open-air pits that were burning everything from plastic bottles to used petroleum products, Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., wrote a letter to Petraeus asking if the burn pits were being investigated.Petraeus said thousands of air, water and soil samples have been tested. However, Military Times has learned that the Balad is the only base where the burn pit specifically has been checked.A military report found toxin levels in the plume at acceptable levels; however, data on testing for particulate matter in that plume has not yet been released.More than 100 service members have contacted Military Times saying they became sick with asthma, sleep apnea, heart palpitations, bronchitis, and lymphoma or leukemia while at Balad. click link in this section for more
What about PTSD and the attempted suicides as well as the successful suicides? How about the steps the military was supposed to be taking to address them when the numbers were going up every year proving once again the military just produced a "better than nothing" program to address the suffering of thousands of our troops. The rate of suicides in the military has gone up every year. There are over 10,000 attempted suicides every year. Where are the stories on them or what happened to their families after?
What about the backlog of claims in the VA and what fighting the VA does to a veteran wounded in service to the nation, forced to fight to have their claim honored and what kind of suffering they go thru waiting? Have any idea how many families fell apart because of this? Do you have any idea how many children ended up blaming themselves for the way their parent acted because they had no clue what PTSD was?
What about the troops dishonorably discharged with a false diagnosis of "personality disorder" instead of being treated for PTSD and compensated for this wound? How many loved the military and would have stayed in, serving with dedication if they were treated honorably? What ever happened to them? What happened to their families? Was anyone ever held accountable for doing this to them?
The we have stories of veterans taking their own suffering and turning that understanding into advocacy for other veterans. Where are their stories? It's not as the media would have to search very hard for their stories or any of the others because they are reported on across the nation by the local media. Wouldn't it be great to put some focus on them for a change?
A dear friend of mine, Capt. Agnes "Irish" Bresnahan, a Vietnam Era veteran suffered with Agent Orange illnesses and PTSD for years. On March 9, 2009, she had another hearing on her VA claim in Washington DC. That is where she passed away because a bleeding ulcer made her lose pints of blood and her heart could take no more. She fought the VA for herself, but was a tireless advocate for her brothers and sisters also suffering for serving. Do you think that CNN could value a human interest story like that? Do you think any of the national news stations think any of these stories are worthy of the kind of attention AIG bonus money has received?
Feeding the outrage over AIG, while it is an important story and we do deserve answers, does not excuse the lack of reporting on stories involving a lot more tax payer funds and a lot more lives. We can say we support the troops all we want but if the media does not spend any time on them or what they are going thru, they are empty words. We know the public has their hearts tugged by the troops and our veterans. When the reports came out on Walter Reed the response from the American people was fantastic and proved how much they do care about those serving this nation. Isn't it time that CNN and the rest of the national media stations realized this? This is the kind of change the troops and our veterans need. This is the kind of change tax payers need. This is the kind of reporting we need if we are ever going to get any of this right for their sake.
web site
http://www.namguardianangel.com/
blog
http://www.woundedtimes.blogspot.com/
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Head trauma is nothing to be taken lightly
March 19, 2009
Head trauma is nothing to be taken lightly
Posted: 05:39 PM ET
By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer
The death of actress Natasha Richardson is tragic. A beautiful, vital 45-year-old goes for a ski lesson and falls. She gets up, declines medical care and goes back to her hotel. From there, the story takes a terrible turn. She becomes ill, and is transported to one hospital, then another and then finally to a third hospital near her home, where she dies two days later from brain injuries caused by an epidural hematoma. Her family, friends and fans are shocked. How can something so innocent kill you? Because, neurologists say, the brain, although complex, is a delicate organ. It’s very vulnerable and it needs to be taken seriously. And even a bump on the head can take its toll. Unfortunately, I know this all too well.
Thirteen years ago, my husband, daughter and I were in a terrible car accident on the Florida Turnpike. On our way to Orlando, our vehicle was hit by a driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel. Although we all had our seat belts on, our car swerved and hit a bridge embankment. My husband’s head went out the side window, hitting the windshield and the concrete. When EMS workers got to us, it looked as if a battle had taken place: burning cars, debris. And because my husband had a major slice to his head, blood was everywhere. I was not hurt, and my daughter had a minor cut from flying glass. They loaded us into ambulances and took us to two different hospitals, my husband headed for the local trauma unit. He stayed two days in the hospital. They stitched up his forehead and sent him home, mentioning that he may want to see his doctor once he got back to Washington, D.C. And although the whole thing was terribly traumatic, we left Florida three days later, with my husband behind the wheel of a rental car.
Because he felt fine and there seemed to be no urgency to his injuries, my husband went back to work and made an appointment with his doctor to have a CT scan two months later. When he got off the table, the radiologist asked him to sit down and immediately called a neurologist. As the doctor viewed the images, his face turned pale and he asked my husband how long had it been since he was in the accident. My hubby shrugged and said, “A couple of months.” The physician then told him not to move — he was going to schedule surgery immediately. It seemed my husband had developed a subdural hematoma that covered his entire brain. According to MayoClinic.com it’s usually formed from head trauma that causes the brain to be shaken severely. Many children who suffer from shaken baby syndrome have these type of injuries. And unlike epidural hematomas, which bleed in the brain fairly quickly, my husband’s injury developed slowly, causing a massive bruise to form. One false move could have given him a stroke, or caused permanent brain damage.
click link for more
Head trauma is nothing to be taken lightly
Posted: 05:39 PM ET
By Val Willingham
CNN Medical Producer
The death of actress Natasha Richardson is tragic. A beautiful, vital 45-year-old goes for a ski lesson and falls. She gets up, declines medical care and goes back to her hotel. From there, the story takes a terrible turn. She becomes ill, and is transported to one hospital, then another and then finally to a third hospital near her home, where she dies two days later from brain injuries caused by an epidural hematoma. Her family, friends and fans are shocked. How can something so innocent kill you? Because, neurologists say, the brain, although complex, is a delicate organ. It’s very vulnerable and it needs to be taken seriously. And even a bump on the head can take its toll. Unfortunately, I know this all too well.
Thirteen years ago, my husband, daughter and I were in a terrible car accident on the Florida Turnpike. On our way to Orlando, our vehicle was hit by a driver who had fallen asleep at the wheel. Although we all had our seat belts on, our car swerved and hit a bridge embankment. My husband’s head went out the side window, hitting the windshield and the concrete. When EMS workers got to us, it looked as if a battle had taken place: burning cars, debris. And because my husband had a major slice to his head, blood was everywhere. I was not hurt, and my daughter had a minor cut from flying glass. They loaded us into ambulances and took us to two different hospitals, my husband headed for the local trauma unit. He stayed two days in the hospital. They stitched up his forehead and sent him home, mentioning that he may want to see his doctor once he got back to Washington, D.C. And although the whole thing was terribly traumatic, we left Florida three days later, with my husband behind the wheel of a rental car.
Because he felt fine and there seemed to be no urgency to his injuries, my husband went back to work and made an appointment with his doctor to have a CT scan two months later. When he got off the table, the radiologist asked him to sit down and immediately called a neurologist. As the doctor viewed the images, his face turned pale and he asked my husband how long had it been since he was in the accident. My hubby shrugged and said, “A couple of months.” The physician then told him not to move — he was going to schedule surgery immediately. It seemed my husband had developed a subdural hematoma that covered his entire brain. According to MayoClinic.com it’s usually formed from head trauma that causes the brain to be shaken severely. Many children who suffer from shaken baby syndrome have these type of injuries. And unlike epidural hematomas, which bleed in the brain fairly quickly, my husband’s injury developed slowly, causing a massive bruise to form. One false move could have given him a stroke, or caused permanent brain damage.
click link for more
Desperate Japanese head to 'suicide forest'
Desperate Japanese head to 'suicide forest'
Story Highlights
Forest with stunning views of Mount Fuji is also known as place to die
Counselors now roam Aokigahara Forest, hoping to help the desperate
Suicides in Japan were 15 percent higher in January than a year earlier
Officials fear more people will kill themselves amid the tough economy
By Kyung Lah
CNN
AOKIGAHARA FOREST, Japan (CNN) -- Aokigahara Forest is known for two things in Japan: breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and suicides. Also called the Sea of Trees, this destination for the desperate is a place where the suicidal disappear, often never to be found in the dense forest.
Japan's Aokigahara Forest is known as the "suicide forest" because people often go there to take their own lives.
Taro, a 46-year-old man fired from his job at an iron manufacturing company, hoped to fade into the blackness. "My will to live disappeared," said Taro. "I'd lost my identity, so I didn't want to live on this earth. That's why I went there."
Taro, who did not want to be identified fully, was swimming in debt and had been evicted from his company apartment. He lost financial control, which he believes to be the foundation of any stable life, he said. "You need money to survive. If you have a girlfriend, you need money. If you want to get married, you need it for your life. Money is always necessary for your life."
Taro bought a one-way ticket to the forest, west of Tokyo, Japan. When he got there, he slashed his wrists, though the cut wasn't enough to kill him quickly.
He started to wander, he said. He collapsed after days and lay in the bushes, nearly dead from dehydration, starvation and frostbite. He would lose his toes on his right foot from the frostbite. But he didn't lose his life, because a hiker stumbled upon his nearly dead body and raised the alarm. Watch report on "suicide forest" »
Taro's story is just one of hundreds logged at Aokigahara Forest every year, a place known throughout Japan as the "suicide forest." The area is home to the highest number of suicides in the entire country.
Japan's suicide rate, already one of the world's highest, has increased with the recent economic downturn.
There were 2,645 suicides recorded in January 2009, a 15 percent increase from the 2,305 for January 2008, according to the Japanese government.
The Japanese government said suicide rates are a priority and pledged to cut the number of suicides by more than 20 percent by 2016. It plans to improve suicide awareness in schools and workplaces. But officials fear the toll will rise with unemployment and bankruptcies, matching suicide spikes in earlier tough economic times.
click link for more
Story Highlights
Forest with stunning views of Mount Fuji is also known as place to die
Counselors now roam Aokigahara Forest, hoping to help the desperate
Suicides in Japan were 15 percent higher in January than a year earlier
Officials fear more people will kill themselves amid the tough economy
By Kyung Lah
CNN
AOKIGAHARA FOREST, Japan (CNN) -- Aokigahara Forest is known for two things in Japan: breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and suicides. Also called the Sea of Trees, this destination for the desperate is a place where the suicidal disappear, often never to be found in the dense forest.
Japan's Aokigahara Forest is known as the "suicide forest" because people often go there to take their own lives.
Taro, a 46-year-old man fired from his job at an iron manufacturing company, hoped to fade into the blackness. "My will to live disappeared," said Taro. "I'd lost my identity, so I didn't want to live on this earth. That's why I went there."
Taro, who did not want to be identified fully, was swimming in debt and had been evicted from his company apartment. He lost financial control, which he believes to be the foundation of any stable life, he said. "You need money to survive. If you have a girlfriend, you need money. If you want to get married, you need it for your life. Money is always necessary for your life."
Taro bought a one-way ticket to the forest, west of Tokyo, Japan. When he got there, he slashed his wrists, though the cut wasn't enough to kill him quickly.
He started to wander, he said. He collapsed after days and lay in the bushes, nearly dead from dehydration, starvation and frostbite. He would lose his toes on his right foot from the frostbite. But he didn't lose his life, because a hiker stumbled upon his nearly dead body and raised the alarm. Watch report on "suicide forest" »
Taro's story is just one of hundreds logged at Aokigahara Forest every year, a place known throughout Japan as the "suicide forest." The area is home to the highest number of suicides in the entire country.
Japan's suicide rate, already one of the world's highest, has increased with the recent economic downturn.
There were 2,645 suicides recorded in January 2009, a 15 percent increase from the 2,305 for January 2008, according to the Japanese government.
The Japanese government said suicide rates are a priority and pledged to cut the number of suicides by more than 20 percent by 2016. It plans to improve suicide awareness in schools and workplaces. But officials fear the toll will rise with unemployment and bankruptcies, matching suicide spikes in earlier tough economic times.
click link for more
German Army PTSD cases on rise
German Army PTSD cases on rise
By Marcus Klöckner, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, March 20, 2009
The number of German army soldiers being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder has tripled in the past two years, echoing a rise in such cases among the ranks of U.S. soldiers.
While their numbers still pale in comparison to reported cases of PTSD in the U.S. military, 245 German soldiers were treated for the disorder last year, up from 83 soldiers in 2006, according to statistics recently released by the German Defense Ministry. Nearly 14,000 U.S. soldiers were treated for PTSD in 2007, the most recent figures available.
There are about 3,400 German army troops in Afghanistan, where most German PTSD cases originate, the Deutsche Welle news service reported on its Web site. About 62,000 Germans have been stationed in war zones in the past three years, but the German army, in general, has not gone through as many combat situations as the U.S. military. That is one of the reasons why there is such an increase of PTSD cases in the German army.
go here for more
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61461
By Marcus Klöckner, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, March 20, 2009
The number of German army soldiers being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder has tripled in the past two years, echoing a rise in such cases among the ranks of U.S. soldiers.
While their numbers still pale in comparison to reported cases of PTSD in the U.S. military, 245 German soldiers were treated for the disorder last year, up from 83 soldiers in 2006, according to statistics recently released by the German Defense Ministry. Nearly 14,000 U.S. soldiers were treated for PTSD in 2007, the most recent figures available.
There are about 3,400 German army troops in Afghanistan, where most German PTSD cases originate, the Deutsche Welle news service reported on its Web site. About 62,000 Germans have been stationed in war zones in the past three years, but the German army, in general, has not gone through as many combat situations as the U.S. military. That is one of the reasons why there is such an increase of PTSD cases in the German army.
go here for more
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61461
Vet groups hail Obama reversal on insurance
Vet groups hail Obama reversal on insurance
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Mar 19, 2009 17:43:02 EDT
A political blunder that made the Obama administration seem like a penny-pincher on veterans health care could end up solidifying support for the new president and his staff from some military and veterans groups.
Although the groups are not at all pleased that the administration toyed with the idea of billing veterans’ private insurance companies for treatment of service-connected conditions, the fact that President Barack Obama and his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, met with the groups, listened to their concerns and ultimately dropped the idea appears to have won them some respect.
Retired Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., president of the Military Officers Association of America, was one of the representatives at two White House meetings.
“The president indicated on Monday that he was there to listen to our concerns and was willing to drop the proposal if we could not support its merits,” Ryan said. “To their credit, they listened and responded promptly, and we appreciate that.”
click link for more
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Mar 19, 2009 17:43:02 EDT
A political blunder that made the Obama administration seem like a penny-pincher on veterans health care could end up solidifying support for the new president and his staff from some military and veterans groups.
Although the groups are not at all pleased that the administration toyed with the idea of billing veterans’ private insurance companies for treatment of service-connected conditions, the fact that President Barack Obama and his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, met with the groups, listened to their concerns and ultimately dropped the idea appears to have won them some respect.
Retired Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr., president of the Military Officers Association of America, was one of the representatives at two White House meetings.
“The president indicated on Monday that he was there to listen to our concerns and was willing to drop the proposal if we could not support its merits,” Ryan said. “To their credit, they listened and responded promptly, and we appreciate that.”
click link for more
Fort Hood Soldiers Battling PTSD in Texas
General Rick Lynch has a lot on his hands. Then again, so does every other general in this nation. The problem is, they all need to think outside the box. There is an army of people all across this nation, including me, ready, willing and able to help. The problem is, they won't ask.
Soldiers Battling PTSD in Texas
Last Edited: Tuesday, 17 Mar 2009, 12:30 PM CDT
Created On: Monday, 16 Mar 2009, 5:23 PM CDT
- An alarming number of soldiers - returning from war-zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, are coming home with an injury no bandage can heal. The personal and emotional crisis is not only taking a toll on military lives. Some fear a much larger public crisis is about to explode across Texas.
Writing songs, for Gary Romriell, is a way to appease the demons that torment his mind.
"Im pretty sure they are here to stay," Said Romriell.
The words are like ghosts from a life far from the Williamson County farm where he now lives. The fire fights and long patrols are over for him. But what he endured during his tour of duty in Iraq clings like the dust on his old field boots.
"You cant completely walk away from it; your subconscious mind wont let you," said Romriell.
Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Romriell tries to focus on his new life with his fiancé and young son. However the ghosts are never far away.
"There is no understanding it, even my fiancé who I've lived with about 3 years, who lived through my fits, and anxiety attacks, nightmares and all the teeth grinding, she doesnt fully understand what it means to be a traumatized veteran," said Romriell.
According to the Department of Defense, in 2008, at least 128 soldiers committed suicide. The Marine Corps reports 41.
In May, 21-year-old Chad Oligschlaeger, a marine and former McNeil high school graduate, was laid to rest. His father, Eric, said his son took his life because of post traumatic stress.
"We have to get something in place to help these guys so they're not left out in the cold, because we can't imagine what's going on in their heads," said Eric Oligschlaeger.
Fort Hood commanding General, Rick Lynch says he understands. According to Lynch, 60% of the soldiers on the Post have gone through 3 deployments and 500 are currently diagnosed with PTSD or a traumatic brain injury. In addition, the need for help is not limited to those wearing fatigues.
"These soldiers and their family members need access to care, and right now I dont have enough on the installation to meet these needs," said General Lynch.
click link for more
Soldiers Battling PTSD in Texas
Last Edited: Tuesday, 17 Mar 2009, 12:30 PM CDT
Created On: Monday, 16 Mar 2009, 5:23 PM CDT
- An alarming number of soldiers - returning from war-zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, are coming home with an injury no bandage can heal. The personal and emotional crisis is not only taking a toll on military lives. Some fear a much larger public crisis is about to explode across Texas.
Writing songs, for Gary Romriell, is a way to appease the demons that torment his mind.
"Im pretty sure they are here to stay," Said Romriell.
The words are like ghosts from a life far from the Williamson County farm where he now lives. The fire fights and long patrols are over for him. But what he endured during his tour of duty in Iraq clings like the dust on his old field boots.
"You cant completely walk away from it; your subconscious mind wont let you," said Romriell.
Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Romriell tries to focus on his new life with his fiancé and young son. However the ghosts are never far away.
"There is no understanding it, even my fiancé who I've lived with about 3 years, who lived through my fits, and anxiety attacks, nightmares and all the teeth grinding, she doesnt fully understand what it means to be a traumatized veteran," said Romriell.
According to the Department of Defense, in 2008, at least 128 soldiers committed suicide. The Marine Corps reports 41.
In May, 21-year-old Chad Oligschlaeger, a marine and former McNeil high school graduate, was laid to rest. His father, Eric, said his son took his life because of post traumatic stress.
"We have to get something in place to help these guys so they're not left out in the cold, because we can't imagine what's going on in their heads," said Eric Oligschlaeger.
Fort Hood commanding General, Rick Lynch says he understands. According to Lynch, 60% of the soldiers on the Post have gone through 3 deployments and 500 are currently diagnosed with PTSD or a traumatic brain injury. In addition, the need for help is not limited to those wearing fatigues.
"These soldiers and their family members need access to care, and right now I dont have enough on the installation to meet these needs," said General Lynch.
click link for more
Why do protestors pick on veterans?
If this banner read "Take care of our veterans" I would be delighted. If it read "We owe them" or anything along those lines, I'd be clapping my hands this man pulled off a stunt like this. The problem is, he hung the sign against war on the building for veterans!
Iraq was unnecessary and cost this nation hundreds of billions of dollars but above all too many lives and far too many wounded. Most agree Afghanistan was necessary, but again, has been mismanaged and poorly planned. I support Schmidt's right to protest what he believes is wrong but when he decided that he had to pick on veterans to do it, he crossed the line. While it is true a lot of veterans are against the occupation in Iraq and even some against Afghanistan, something like this end up insulting the veterans that do support what is being done. I've had enough of protests on both sides because they do not do it for the sake of the troops coming home wounded and lacking care. They do not protest over the suicide deaths. They do not protest over the fact military families and National Guard families are suffering financially. Those are the kinds of protests I want to see. Those are the kinds of protests I would join in on. Those are also the kinds of protests that could actually do some good.
Protester scales VA building to hang sign
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 19, 2009 14:39:46 EDT
WASHINGTON — An Army veteran has been arrested after climbing up the Veterans Affairs Department building in downtown Washington to hang a sign protesting the Iraq war.
Forrest Schmidt was arrested Thursday outside the building, which is less than a block from the White House.
click link for more
Iraq was unnecessary and cost this nation hundreds of billions of dollars but above all too many lives and far too many wounded. Most agree Afghanistan was necessary, but again, has been mismanaged and poorly planned. I support Schmidt's right to protest what he believes is wrong but when he decided that he had to pick on veterans to do it, he crossed the line. While it is true a lot of veterans are against the occupation in Iraq and even some against Afghanistan, something like this end up insulting the veterans that do support what is being done. I've had enough of protests on both sides because they do not do it for the sake of the troops coming home wounded and lacking care. They do not protest over the suicide deaths. They do not protest over the fact military families and National Guard families are suffering financially. Those are the kinds of protests I want to see. Those are the kinds of protests I would join in on. Those are also the kinds of protests that could actually do some good.
Protester scales VA building to hang sign
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 19, 2009 14:39:46 EDT
WASHINGTON — An Army veteran has been arrested after climbing up the Veterans Affairs Department building in downtown Washington to hang a sign protesting the Iraq war.
Forrest Schmidt was arrested Thursday outside the building, which is less than a block from the White House.
click link for more
Man charged in Stolen Valor case
Man indicted on charges of faking service
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 19, 2009 6:48:35 EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A Ketchikan man has been indicted on charges of lying about his military record.
U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler says 53-year-old Thomas A. Dye is charged with two counts of violating the Stolen Valor Act, which criminalizes false claims to military medals.
He’s also charged with two counts of misusing federal documents, including use of an altered military discharge certificate and the false use of Coast Guard Merchant Mariner license.
Loeffler says Dye lied about his military service for financial gain and posed as a decorated member of the armed forces, wearing medals and decorations he was not entitled to, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon.
The indictment was handed down Wednesday.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_faking_service_charges_031909/
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 19, 2009 6:48:35 EDT
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A Ketchikan man has been indicted on charges of lying about his military record.
U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler says 53-year-old Thomas A. Dye is charged with two counts of violating the Stolen Valor Act, which criminalizes false claims to military medals.
He’s also charged with two counts of misusing federal documents, including use of an altered military discharge certificate and the false use of Coast Guard Merchant Mariner license.
Loeffler says Dye lied about his military service for financial gain and posed as a decorated member of the armed forces, wearing medals and decorations he was not entitled to, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon.
The indictment was handed down Wednesday.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_faking_service_charges_031909/
Army pledges more work to lower suicide numbers
Army pledges more work to lower suicide numbers
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, March 20, 2009
WASHINGTON — Military officials promised to conduct more suicide prevention education and hire more psychiatrists to stem an alarming rise in the number of servicemembers who have killed themselves in recent years.
In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, vice chief of staff for the Army, called the suicide figures for his service "unacceptable" and fixing them "the most difficult and critical mission" of his military career.
"The reality is, there is no simple solution," he said. "It is going to require a multi-disciplinary approach, and a team effort at every level of command."
According to the Army, there were 140 confirmed suicides last year and another seven probable suicides still under investigation. That’s up from 115 in 2007, and 101 in 2006.
click link for more
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, March 20, 2009
WASHINGTON — Military officials promised to conduct more suicide prevention education and hire more psychiatrists to stem an alarming rise in the number of servicemembers who have killed themselves in recent years.
In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, vice chief of staff for the Army, called the suicide figures for his service "unacceptable" and fixing them "the most difficult and critical mission" of his military career.
"The reality is, there is no simple solution," he said. "It is going to require a multi-disciplinary approach, and a team effort at every level of command."
According to the Army, there were 140 confirmed suicides last year and another seven probable suicides still under investigation. That’s up from 115 in 2007, and 101 in 2006.
click link for more
Outrage! Chaplain at Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton resigns over ban on word 'God'
Soon after I became a Chaplain, a dear friend of mine was dying in a hospice. The family wanted me to be there for her and for them. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I wanted to be there for her, but the family was in need. I had to force myself to forget that Jen was my friend. My husband's father died in a hospice. I have been aware of how rare the people are working in hospice for a very long time and I know I would never be able to do what they do no matter how deep my own faith is. It takes a very special person to do what they do. To read this, fills me with a sense of outrage! It would be one thing to feel uncomfortable in a staff meeting hearing of God but then why have a prayer during one if the staff is unable to tolerate the use of God? Who do they think they are praying to? To say that the Chaplain cannot refer to God is like saying there is no point in them being there at all, that hope of an afterlife is a waste of time. If a Chaplain cannot acknowledge God then they should hire a clown instead to offer comedy relief instead of delivering God's Grace.
Chaplain at Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton resigns over ban on word 'God'
Ban on word 'God' at meetings has chilling effect, she says
By Howard Goodman South Florida Sun-Sentinel
March 18, 2009
A chaplain at Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton has resigned, she says, over a ban on use of the words "God" or "Lord" in public settings.
Chaplains still speak freely of the Almighty in private sessions with patients or families but, the Rev. Mirta Signorelli said: "I can't do chaplain's work if I can't say 'God' — if I'm scripted."
Hospice CEO Paula Alderson said the ban on religious references applies only to the inspirational messages that chaplains deliver in staff meetings. The hospice remains fully comfortable with ministers, priests and rabbis offering religious counsel to the dying and grieving.
"I was sensitive to the fact that we don't impose religion on our staff, and that it is not appropriate in the context of a staff meeting to use certain phrases or 'God' or 'Holy Father,' because some of our staff don't believe at all," Alderson said.
Signorelli, of Royal Palm Beach, said the hospice policy has a chilling effect that goes beyond the monthly staff meetings. She would have to watch her language, she said, when leading a prayer in the hospice chapel, when meeting patients in the public setting of a nursing home and in weekly patient conferences with doctors, nurses and social workers.
"If you take God away from me," she said, "it's like taking a medical tool away from a nurse."
A devout Christian who acquired a master's degree in theology after a career as a psychologist, running a program for abused and neglected children, Signorelli has been ministering to the dying for 13 years. She worked at the Hospice of Palm Beach County before moving seven years ago to Hospice by the Sea, a community-based nonprofit organization that cares for terminally ill patients in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
Signorelli said that she and other chaplains were told Feb. 23 to "cease and desist from using God in prayers."
Chaplain at Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton resigns over ban on word 'God'
Ban on word 'God' at meetings has chilling effect, she says
By Howard Goodman South Florida Sun-Sentinel
March 18, 2009
A chaplain at Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton has resigned, she says, over a ban on use of the words "God" or "Lord" in public settings.
Chaplains still speak freely of the Almighty in private sessions with patients or families but, the Rev. Mirta Signorelli said: "I can't do chaplain's work if I can't say 'God' — if I'm scripted."
Hospice CEO Paula Alderson said the ban on religious references applies only to the inspirational messages that chaplains deliver in staff meetings. The hospice remains fully comfortable with ministers, priests and rabbis offering religious counsel to the dying and grieving.
"I was sensitive to the fact that we don't impose religion on our staff, and that it is not appropriate in the context of a staff meeting to use certain phrases or 'God' or 'Holy Father,' because some of our staff don't believe at all," Alderson said.
Signorelli, of Royal Palm Beach, said the hospice policy has a chilling effect that goes beyond the monthly staff meetings. She would have to watch her language, she said, when leading a prayer in the hospice chapel, when meeting patients in the public setting of a nursing home and in weekly patient conferences with doctors, nurses and social workers.
"If you take God away from me," she said, "it's like taking a medical tool away from a nurse."
A devout Christian who acquired a master's degree in theology after a career as a psychologist, running a program for abused and neglected children, Signorelli has been ministering to the dying for 13 years. She worked at the Hospice of Palm Beach County before moving seven years ago to Hospice by the Sea, a community-based nonprofit organization that cares for terminally ill patients in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
Signorelli said that she and other chaplains were told Feb. 23 to "cease and desist from using God in prayers."
PTSD:God's Grace Can Heal The Scar
by
Chaplain Kathie
IFOC Senior Chaplain
I've talked a lot about the importance of faith/spirituality in healing PTSD. While PTSD cannot be cured, the wounded can heal. Much like an infection, it gets worse without treatment but with it, depending on how soon the treatment begins, determines the depth of the scar left behind. When the connection to God is restored healing is deeper and faster.
One of the common factors in the PTSD wounded is that they had always been sensitive people. They cared about others deeply. Some confuse being sensitive with being weak but they miss the point that it requires courage to act as a sensitive person. It allows people to be able to set themselves aside for the sake of someone else, rush into danger when others run away and to be able to risk their lives for the sake of their friends. Who wouldn't want someone like that on their side?
When people have a misconception of what Jesus said and taught, it's easy to confuse right from wrong. It's easy to feel as if God has abandoned them or judged them but they forget that God knows the hearts and minds of His children. He knows what was in their heart when they were willing to lay down their lives for the sake of their friends and to rise about the sense of self. God will not condemn someone with that sense in their hearts. If they do not understand this, then they feel as if they are being punished by PTSD. It makes it all worse because it removes the hope of prayers being answered.
When we do something for the right reason and end up suffering for it, thinking God is making us suffer removes hope of justice, of healing and better days ahead. It also makes us regret doing the right thing. We end up blaming God for the wrong others do, for rewarding the unjust and believing that God created the evil we had to endure. We forget about freewill as easily as we tend to forget that many decide they would rather serve Satin than Christ, evil over good. It is a cycle that ends up taking control over every aspect of the wounded lives, wounding the family and friends. It begins to change the way people act. Yet knowing God as a loving God restores hope, love, patience, compassion, mercy and joy by His grace.
This is something I hear from wounded warriors the most often. Aside from a history of being compassionate people throughout their lives, they feel as if they have been punished by God because they are suffering. I created the following video in response to that.
In this news story, you'll hear how Military Chaplains helped this veteran heal. We have not heard it often enough on the news. Restoring faith, whatever faith, whatever denomination a veteran belonged to, is vital in assisting the healing of the scar PTSD leaves behind on the soul.
Chaplain Kathie
IFOC Senior Chaplain
I've talked a lot about the importance of faith/spirituality in healing PTSD. While PTSD cannot be cured, the wounded can heal. Much like an infection, it gets worse without treatment but with it, depending on how soon the treatment begins, determines the depth of the scar left behind. When the connection to God is restored healing is deeper and faster.
One of the common factors in the PTSD wounded is that they had always been sensitive people. They cared about others deeply. Some confuse being sensitive with being weak but they miss the point that it requires courage to act as a sensitive person. It allows people to be able to set themselves aside for the sake of someone else, rush into danger when others run away and to be able to risk their lives for the sake of their friends. Who wouldn't want someone like that on their side?
John 15;
9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
17 This is my command: Love each other.
When people have a misconception of what Jesus said and taught, it's easy to confuse right from wrong. It's easy to feel as if God has abandoned them or judged them but they forget that God knows the hearts and minds of His children. He knows what was in their heart when they were willing to lay down their lives for the sake of their friends and to rise about the sense of self. God will not condemn someone with that sense in their hearts. If they do not understand this, then they feel as if they are being punished by PTSD. It makes it all worse because it removes the hope of prayers being answered.
When we do something for the right reason and end up suffering for it, thinking God is making us suffer removes hope of justice, of healing and better days ahead. It also makes us regret doing the right thing. We end up blaming God for the wrong others do, for rewarding the unjust and believing that God created the evil we had to endure. We forget about freewill as easily as we tend to forget that many decide they would rather serve Satin than Christ, evil over good. It is a cycle that ends up taking control over every aspect of the wounded lives, wounding the family and friends. It begins to change the way people act. Yet knowing God as a loving God restores hope, love, patience, compassion, mercy and joy by His grace.
This is something I hear from wounded warriors the most often. Aside from a history of being compassionate people throughout their lives, they feel as if they have been punished by God because they are suffering. I created the following video in response to that.
PTSD Not God's Judgment - watch more videos
In this news story, you'll hear how Military Chaplains helped this veteran heal. We have not heard it often enough on the news. Restoring faith, whatever faith, whatever denomination a veteran belonged to, is vital in assisting the healing of the scar PTSD leaves behind on the soul.
More soldiers returning from Iraq, Afghanistan with PTSD, experts say
By Andrea Calcagno
March 18, 2009
MEDFORD, Ore. -- Experts say exposure to combat violence in Iraq and Afghanistan is causing more soldiers to experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when they return home.
Military representatives say this may be one factor contributing to a recent increase in the army suicide rate.
When soldiers return home from war, they go through a series of reintegration classes. Psychiatric services are made readily available, but it is left to the soldier to seek help.
After returning from war, it took two years for Alexander Akers to get the help he needed.
"If I had pushed it at the beginning when I got home, instead of trying to put it all behind me, and trying to get away from the military, I probably would have been not going through what I did," says Akers.
Akers served in combat arms in Iraq and suffered from PTSD upon returning home.
"I was jumpy all the time. I was extremely violent, getting in fights, non stop paranoid, you name it. The only thing, I was lucky enough that I didn't get into was drug use. And I think some of the guys have gotten into that, and I just turned to alcohol instead," says Akers.
"A lot of times when they come back, they are using alcohol, they are using drugs, they are using other things, and I wouldn't be surprised that many of them are resorting to taking their own lives rather dealing with what they're dealing with. Whether its undiagnosed PTSD or even if it is diagnosed, they may not feel they can get relief from that," says Steve Fogelman with Kolpia Counseling Services..."They're in an environment where literally anybody can be the enemy. And there's really no barriers for them, no safety or security for them. And they end up getting this very hyper-vigilant kind of attitude, and that's literally how they get through."
go here for the rest and for video
http://kdrv.com/news/local/99452
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