Vietnam Veteran's Daughter Struggles to Make Sense of PTSD

A Daughter Struggles to Make Sense of PTSD
The California Report
State of Health

He tried committing suicide when I was 11 years old. And we saw it as a huge cry for help because he did it in the parking lot of the VA hospital in Loma Linda.

Twenty-one-year old Caitlin Bryant lost her father, Richard Lewis Bryant, to a heart attack in 2008. But she and her brother Mitchell had grown up watching him battle a war within himself after returning from serving in Vietnam. As part of our first-person series What’s Your Story, Caitlin Bryant describes what her family’s life was like, living with her father’s illness.

My dad suffered really badly from PTSD -– post-traumatic stress disorder. And that was due to the traumatic things that he had seen in the war and he never really sought proper treatment.

“He tried committing suicide when I was 11 years old. And we saw it as a huge cry for help because he did it in the parking lot of the VA hospital.”He just never seemed comfortable. He never seemed at peace. He always seemed like he was trying to relax and he could never fully relax.
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Patriot Guard Riders escorting MOH Colonel George Everette “Bud” Day last ride

Colonel George Everette “Bud” Day, 88
USMC, USAR, USAF
WW II, Korea, Vietnam
Fort Walton Beach, FL
1 August 2013

The Patriot Guard Riders have been asked to stand in honor of, and escort Colonel George Everette “Bud” Day, a true American hero. We will stand a flag line for visitation at the Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy., Ft. Walton Beach, FL (Okaloosa Island). Visitation is scheduled from 0900 – 1100 hours on 1 August 2013. Escort (LEO led) to Barrancas National Cemetery will commence at or around 1230 hours. Travis Watkins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Day was born in Sioux City Iowa, on February 24, 1925. In 1942, he dropped out of Central High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served 30 months in the North Pacific during World War II as a member of a 5 in (130 mm) gun battery with the 3rd Defense Battalion on Johnston Island but he never saw combat. Following his service in World War II, Day joined the Army Reserve and received a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Iowa Air National Guard in 1950, and was called to active duty in 1951 for Undergraduate Pilot Training in the U.S. Air Force. He served two tours as a fighter-bomber pilot during the Korean War flying the Republic F-84 Thunderjet. Promoted to captain, he decided to make the Air Force a career and was augmented into the Regular Air Force. He then transitioned to the F-100 Super Sabre in 1957 while stationed at RAF Wethersfield in the United Kingdom.

Anticipating retirement in 1968 and now a major, Day volunteered for a tour in Vietnam and was assigned to the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Tuy Hoa Air Base in April 1967. At that time, he had more than 5,000 flying hours, with 4,500 of them in fighters. On June 25, 1967, with extensive previous service flying two tours in F-100s, Major Day was made the first commander of Detachment 1, 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 37th Tactical Fighter Wing based at Phu Cat Air Base.Under the project name "Commando Sabre", twin-seat USAF F-100Fs were evaluated as a Fast Forward Air Control ("Fast FAC") aircraft in high threat areas, given that F-4 Phantom II aircraft were in high demand for strike and Combat Air Patrol (CAP) roles. Using the call sign Misty, the name of Day's favorite song, his detachment of four two-seat F-100Fs and 16 pilots became pioneer "Fast FACs" (Forward Air Controllers) over Laos and North Vietnam. All Misty FAC crews were volunteers with at least 100 combat missions in Vietnam and 1,000 minimum flight hours. Tours in Commando Sabre were temporary and normally limited to four months or about 50-60 missions.

On August 26, 1967, Major Day was flying F-100F-15-NA, AF Serial No. 56-3954, call sign "Misty 01", on his 26th Fast FAC sortie, directing a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs in an air strike against a surface-to-air missile (SAM) site north of Thon Cam Son and west of Dong Hoi, 20 mi (32 km) north of the DMZ in North Vietnam. Day was on his 65th mission into North Vietnam and acting as check pilot for Captain Corwin M. "Kipp" Kippenhan, who was upgrading to aircraft commander. 37 mm antiaircraft fire crippled the aircraft, forcing the crew to eject. In the ejection, Day's right arm was broken in three places when he struck the side of the cockpit, and he also experienced eye and back injuries.

Kippenhan was rescued by a USAF HH-3E, but Day was unable to contact the rescue helicopter by survival radio and was quickly captured by North Vietnamese local militia. On his fifth night, when he was still within 20 mi (32 km) of the DMZ, Day escaped from his initial captors despite his serious injuries. Although stripped of both his boots and flight suit, Day crossed the Demilitarized Zone back into South Vietnam, becoming the only U.S. prisoner of war to escape from North Vietnam. Within 2 mi (3 km) of the U.S. Marine firebase at Con Thien and after 12–15 days of evading, he was captured again, this time by a Viet Cong patrol that wounded him in the leg and hand with gunfire.

Taken back to his original camp, Day was tortured for escaping, breaking his right arm again. He then was moved to several prison camps near Hanoi, where he was periodically beaten, starved, and tortured. In December 1967, Day shared a cell with Navy Lieutenant Commander and future Senator and presidential candidate John McCain. Air Force Major Norris Overly nursed both back to health, and McCain later devised a makeshift splint of bamboo and rags that helped heal Day's seriously atrophied arm.

On March 14, 1973, Day was released after five years and seven months as a North Vietnamese prisoner. Within three days Day was reunited with his wife, Doris Sorensen Day, and four children at March Air Force Base, California. On March 4, 1976, President Gerald Ford awarded Day the Medal of Honor for his personal bravery while a captive in North Vietnam.

Day had been promoted to Colonel while a prisoner, and decided to remain in the Air Force in hopes of being promoted to Brigadier General. Although initially too weak to resume operational flying, he spent a year in physical rehabilitation and with 13 separate medical waivers, was returned to active flying status. He underwent conversion training to the F-4 Phantom II and was appointed vice commander of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

After being passed over for nomination to brigadier general, Day retired from active duty in 1977 to resume practicing law in Florida. At his retirement he had nearly 8,000 total flying hours, 4,900 in single engine jets, and had flown the F-80 Shooting Star, F-84 Thunderjet, F-100 Super Sabre, F-101 Voodoo, F-104 Starfighter, F-105 Thunderchief, F-106 Delta Dart, F-4 Phantom II, A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair II, CF-5 Tiger and F-15 Eagle jet fighters.ppointed vice commander of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Following his retirement, Day wrote an autobiographical account of his experiences as a prisoner of war, Return with Honor, followed by Duty, Honor, Country, which updated his autobiography to include his post-Air Force years.

Colonel Day’s awards and decorations include the Congressional Medal of Honor, Air Force Cross, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Start with Valor Device and three bronze oak leaf clusters, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with silver and four bronze oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation with three bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clusters, Prisoner of War Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two silver and three bronze service stars, Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, National Order of Vietnam Commander Badge, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award, United Nations Service Medal for Korea and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

PTSD Veteran says Veterans Court gave him a chance to live

'They gave me a chance to live:' Veterans Court produces first graduate
The Star Press
Written by Andrew Walker
Jul. 31, 2013

MUNCIE — Joshua Rogers learned his cellphone was his worst enemy as he began the long road to recovery from his chronic problems associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Rogers — a veteran of both the Army and Navy — said there were certain go-to contacts in his phone that would encourage drug and alcohol use to help him numb his pain.

So, one by one, Rogers went through his phone and deleted the contacts he’d later call his “bad influences.” When he was done, 72 people were cut out of his life.

Over the next few months, however, Rogers was able to add 42 new contacts to his phone — names of family members, new friends and other veterans who had his best interests at heart.

On Monday, in another huge step forward in his recovery, Rogers graduated from the Delaware County Veterans Court, a system aimed at directing eligible military veterans in trouble with the law to services, including treatment for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
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Afghanistan veteran Robert Kislow III fired the fatal shots in the home that volunteers built

Robert Kislow III fired the fatal shots in the home that volunteers built. He was wounded in combat by body and mind. He was also loved. According to the following news account, Robert also attempted suicide before this horrible ending. What went wrong? Why did he survive every wound during combat but could not survive being back home with the woman he planned to marry, his children and an entire community that showed up to build his home? His future mother-in-law is dead now and he ended his own pain with a bullet. This is a strong example of how much these men and women are failed when they come home.

Authorities say Afghanistan War vet killed fiancee's mom, self
Robert Kislow III fired the fatal shots in the home that volunteers built for him.
The Morning Call
By Pamela Lehman and Bill Landauer
July 30, 2013

In 2005, Robert Kislow III survived enemy gunfire in Afghanistan. One bullet cut through his helmet, snaking a path on the back of his head. Other shots shattered his wrist and ankle.

A year after that attack, which ultimately cost him part of a leg, the anger, pain and anguish from his injuries plunged him into depression, leading him to abuse prescription drugs and attempt suicide, the Army veteran from East Allen Township said in a 2008 interview.

He believed his life was on an upswing in 2011 when his son was born. That same day, he wept as he thanked more than 100 volunteers from Homes for Our Troops gathered to build his young family a house near the base of Blue Mountain in Moore Township.

But just before midnight Monday at the home tucked in a wooded lot, authorities say, Kislow shot and killed his fiancee's mother and then turned the handgun on himself. His fiancee, Amanda Snyder, their son and baby girl were also inside at the time of the shootings. They were not injured, police say.

He was wounded while on patrol east of Kabul on June 10, 2005. The 19-year-old private first class waved and smiled at a man he thought was a civilian, but quickly discovered "it was a trap," the article says. "The guy's buddy rose up from the bushes and shot me five times."

Kislow suffered gunshot wounds to the back of his head, ankle, elbow, back and side. The bullet in his head was later removed, but he said the damage caused a traumatic brain injury. His right leg was eventually amputated just below the knee, and he lost most of the movement in his right hand and wrist.
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A Third of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans thought of committing suicide

Frankly I am appalled! How can the national news stations pay no attention to any of this when they are on the air 24-7 and manage to cover other stories all the time?

Newest veterans say suicide is their biggest challenge
USA Today
Gregg Zoroya
July 30, 2013

The nation's newest combat veterans -- those who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan -- say the biggest challenge facing their generation is suicide, according to a survey by the group Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

About 3,000 active-duty troops have killed themselves since 2001. The annual tally of these deaths climbs each year. And those numbers often don't include servicemembers who are part of the National Guard or Reserve.

Moreover, the Department of Veterans Affairs has uncovered evidence that this self-destructive trend is following many young veterans after they leave the service, adding to an estimated tally of some 22 suicides per day among veterans of all ages.

"The fact that so many of our members know someone that has tried to commit suicide or that had mental health issues really underscores the seriousness of this problem," says Tom Tarantino, chief policy officer for the association.

The survey by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America were based on about 4,000 veterans who responded to a survey the association sent to its 120,000 members in February.

About a third of respondents said they had considered taking their own life at some point. A slightly larger percentage said they knew someone who had committed suicide. Forty-five percent say they know an Iraq or Afghanistan veteran who has attempted suicide. Two-thirds say they have veteran friends who need mental health counseling.
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More bad news as Military Suicides increase

Army Releases June 2013 Suicide Information

The Army released suicide data today for the month of June 2013. During June, among active-duty soldiers, there were 14 potential suicides: four have been confirmed as suicides and 10 remain under investigation.

 For May 2013, the Army reported 12 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers: two have been confirmed as suicides and 10 are under investigation.

For CY 2013, there have been 77 potential active-duty suicides: 42 have been confirmed as suicides and 35 remain under investigation.

Updated active-duty suicide numbers for CY 2012: 185 (166 have been confirmed as suicides and 19 remain under investigation).

During June 2013, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were 8 potential suicides (4 Army National Guard and 4 Army Reserve): none have been confirmed as suicides and eight remain under investigation.

For May 2013, among that same group, the Army reported 10 potential suicides; however, subsequent to the report, 4 more cases were added bringing May’s total to 14 (11 Army National Guard and 3 Army Reserve): two have been confirmed as a suicide and 12 cases remain under investigation.

For CY 2013, there have been 81 potential not on active duty suicides (51 Army National Guard and 30 Army Reserve): 40 have been confirmed as suicides and 41 remain under investigation.

 Updated not on active duty suicide numbers for CY 2012: 140 (93 Army National Guard and 47 Army Reserve): 138 have been confirmed as suicides and two remain under investigation.

Another Vietnam Vet passed away, but lives to tell VA he isn't dead yet

Veteran speaks out after Dept. of Veteran's Affairs claims he's dead
WANE.com
Megan Reust
Updated: Tuesday, 30 Jul 2013

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - A local veteran and his wife are in disbelief and want answers. Over the weekend, they got an official letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs stating his benefits were coming to an end because he was dead. The only problem is the information's wrong - he's alive.

Veteran Jim Mitsch, who the VA claims is dead, spoke exclusively with NewsChannel Monday. He said when he checked the mail Saturday and saw an envelope from the VA addressed to his wife it raised his eyebrows. After looking it over he said they couldn't believe what was right before their eyes. And the date the VA claimed he died made things even more frightening.

"They have you listed as dying on July 5, 2013 which coincidentally was July 5, 1967 that I thought that I really did die when we were ambushed. My squad was ambushed," veteran Jim Mitsch said.

Mitsch served in Vietnam. He said he was one of the few who made it out alive that day after being attacked.
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Medal of Honor Hero Staff Sgt. Ty Carter talks about having PTSD

Staff Sgt. Ty Cater knows what it is like to wake up with PTSD because of combat. He also knows what it is like to be on the road to healing it. He wants to help others because he understands the pain they are in.

Medal of Honor recipient, formerly of Fort Carson, wants to help eliminate PTSD stigma
The Gazzette
By Erin Prater
July 29, 2013

Carter said he struggles with PTSD, though counseling has helped. He spoke about a comrade who died because of PTSD and called the condition "a combat wound."

"It's something that needs time to heal," he said. "The best way to do it is to use the facilities that the Army provides. The stigma is slowly going away, but I'm just worried about the new soldier who's trying to prove themselves by not seeking help."

A former Fort Carson soldier who will be awarded the Medal of Honor next month is hoping to de-stigmatize post-traumatic stress disorder by speaking about his own struggles with it.

Staff Sgt. Ty Carter will receive the medal for heroic actions at Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan during an Oct. 3, 2009, battle with hundreds of insurgents who tried to overtake the outpost, the White House said Friday in a press release.

At the time of the battle, Carter was assigned to the 3rd Squadron of the 61st Cavalry Regiment, part of Fort Carson's 4th Brigade Combat Team.

Speaking in a live webcast Monday from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, where he is stationed, Carter, 33, told reporters he was transitioning to a cadre position at the base's Warrior Transition Battalion for soldiers with serious injuries and long-term illnesses when he learned he would receive the medal.

During the Oct. 3, 2009, battle, Carter risked his life repeatedly, running through gunfire to grab ammunition and supplies for comrades and then to rescue Spc. Stephan Mace, who was wounded and pinned down. Others had tried to reach Mace and died in the attempt.

Mace died after he was pulled to an aid station by Carter and others.
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Ty M. Carter to receive Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan

Firefighters battle massive explosion in Tavares Florida

7 hurt in plant explosions at Blue Rhino in Tavares
WESH News Multiple explosions from propane plant rock area
Jul 30, 2013

The plant contained about 53,000 20-pound propane cylinders, Herrell said.

TAVARES, Fla.

Propane explosions at the Blue Rhino LP gas plant rocked the Tavares area on Monday night, injuring seven people.

A massive emergency response was called to the plant, which is located at the 300 block of County Road 448, after multiple injuries were reported.

All employees on staff at the time of the explosion were accounted for by 2 a.m., Lake County spokesman John Herrell said.

"Plant management is comfortable saying they are accounted for," Herrell said.

Seven people were hurt -- some of them critically injured, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

"It's very, very dramatic. It's surreal," Herrell said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families."
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Iowa Mayor-National Guardsman blows whistle on spending

Soldier-mayor blows the whistle on war fraud
The Des Moines Register
By Kyle Munson
July 29, 2013

UNIVERSITY PARK, IOWA — Leave it to a stubborn, small-town Iowa mayor to step up and help Congress thwart fraud in its decade-long, $100 billion reconstruction of war-torn Afghanistan.

George Toubekis, an Iowa Army National Guard sergeant first class, spent most of the last year stationed in the landlocked nation.

Today he’s back home in University Park, an obscure suburban bump on the southeast side of Oskaloosa that occupies less than one square, hilly mile of Iowa soil. Toubekis, 37, is mayor here of fewer than 500 residents and oversees a modest annual budget of about $100,000.

The mini-putt golf course qualifies as a major business. The big issue is the $783,675 reconstruction of a main road that runs eight-tenths of a mile all the way across town, 80 percent of which will be federally funded.
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