Judge says Vets need help

[imjin138]

In today's local paper there was an article about returning Vets in court who have either addiction problems or psychological issues. The Judge who wrote the article was very empathetic and said he he thought maybe they could use mentors or someone to talk to.

I sent him an E-mail volunteering I felt it was the very least I could do.

 

[GatorFarmer]

You might want to talk to your local VA hospital, if there is one. They, and even military hospitals, can often use volunteers to help out. Sometimes they can use other things too. I know that the Navy hospital here in Beaufort collects books and magazines.

 

[imjin138]

There is a vet center near the prison I work at and I went there last week to doante money we collected. I asked if they wanted books but they have plenty of those but they did ask for used DVDs and I have those too so I will drop some off.

 

[Bob R]

There is a special veterans court here in Spokane. I am not sure how it is doing though, I haven't heard much about it after the initial article. It is used for misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and an occasional felony cases.

Local News | Special courts divert Washington veterans from jail | Seattle Times Newspaper

I hope it works out for the people who go through it.

bob

 

[11B Lifer]

God Bless You for Helping

Thanks to anyone volunteering to help these folks. I can tell you from first hand experience that quite a few of those returning suffer from some form of mental problems. The public sees only hints of the combat. Our society has really seperated from the wars-Glenn Beck recently interviewed some West Point Cadets-asking them why they made commitments to the Army-they responded pretty much along the lines of duty to country, and honor. I'm sure that these values come accross to the general public as being quaint.
My 7 year old granddaughter asked me if I was a hero-I told her no-but that I am honored to know a number of true heroes who consider me a friend.
I would also ask that people take a look at Gold Star Mothers-and Honor and Remember-there are relatives who will grieve for the rest of their lives.

 

[freqlord]

One up to that 11B.

Try checking out the VA and most definitely the USO, and let's not forget the Patriot Guard Riders.
To the folks that do volunteer I and many others really appreciate it. It's nice to have someone just listen once and a while.

 

[Badkarma 1]

Ditto that! I have been to the local VA hospital and have spent many an hour with theses men and women as they told their stories. Now is the time we embraced those who went "over there"! They just want to unload their experiences and try to find closure. Combat or war is hell on earth.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Thanks to anyone volunteering to help these folks. I can tell you from first hand experience that quite a few of those returning suffer from some form of mental problems. The public sees only hints of the combat. Our society has really seperated from the wars-Glenn Beck recently interviewed some West Point Cadets-asking them why they made commitments to the Army-they responded pretty much along the lines of duty to country, and honor. I'm sure that these values come accross to the general public as being quaint.
My 7 year old granddaughter asked me if I was a hero-I told her no-but that I am honored to know a number of true heroes who consider me a friend.
I would also ask that people take a look at Gold Star Mothers-and Honor and Remember-there are relatives who will grieve for the rest of their lives.

+1, 11B Lifer.

My primary MOS was 11F4P ("11" = infantry, "F" = operations & intelligence specialist, "4" = skill level on a scale of 1 to 5, "P" = parachutist). My grandchildren just love my medals, ribbons, and badges, and they always want to hear about what Grampa did in the war. I always tell them "I was an enlisted man, I went where I was told to go, and I did what I was told to do".

In combat situations I saw people do some pretty amazing things, including some in the "hero" class.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

It's good that these services are around for vets these days. When my grandfather (1st division, 1st Battalion Marine) came back from Guadalcanal (some of the worst of the worst in the solomons) he was going from tree to tree when crossing the yard and with out going into a lifetime of stories, I can sum it up by saying he was very distant from our family but I've always understood. In those days, they called it 'Shell Shock' ...

I don't want to start a political battle, and I am proud of ALL of our service men and women and thank them for my freedom ... WW2 is sometimes referred to as the last of the battles that meant something (please don't read into that statement too hard, I can't find a better way to say it) ... I've got friends coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan who are feeling cheated, lied to, confused, and some have had a hard time adjusting.

These are all people that love their country and love their families, to give life and limb and then feel lied to is tragic.

I want as little government interaction in my life, but I firmly believe that those who serve should be taken care of by their country just as they took care of us.

It's good to see things starting to swing the right way.

Thank you vets.

 

[too tall]

I have thanked several vets from recent tours and don't get a verbal response. So I am unclear on the reason. Maybe it is the feeling of being cheated or lied to as already mentioned. I was only a part timer and saw no combat and had the feelings of being cheated and lied to. I can only imagine the higher level of it from the service men I've talked to.
As far as the habits that some exhibit from being in combat, I see that as survival instincts still at work. I still lace my boots up left over right and sit facing the door when out in public. That is just from training without having to apply it to survive.
I am unclear on what the books and dvd's do for someone who needs people to talk to and interact with, to de-program from those survival modes. Maybe somone could explain that to me. I can imagine that just frustrating me or supressing what needed to be worked out and replaced.

 

[imjin138]

UPDATE:

Friday I finally received a response from the judge who posted the need for volunteers, he got back to me late because of the large amount of E-mails from those people who want to volunteer.

I was glad to hear from him and even happier to find there was a lot of concerned people out there. He hopes to meet with us soon.