The ongoing casualties of war

catzmeow · #1 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 10:26 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/military_the_enemy_within

Quote:

PINEHURST, N.C. - Officers had been to the white ranch house at 560 W. Longleaf many times before over the past year to respond to a "barricade situation." Each had ended uneventfully, with Joseph Dwyer coming out or telling police in a calm voice through the window that he was OK.

But this time was different.

The Iraq War veteran had called a taxi service to take him to the emergency room. But when the driver arrived, Dwyer shouted that he was too weak to get up and open the door.

The officers asked Dwyer for permission to kick it in.
"Go ahead!" he yelled.

They found Dwyer lying on his back, his clothes soiled with urine and feces. Scattered on the floor around him were dozens of spent cans of Dust-Off, a refrigerant-based aerosol normally used to clean electrical equipment.

Dwyer told police Lt. Mike Wilson he'd been "huffing" the aerosol.
"Help me, please!" the former Army medic begged Wilson. "I'm dying. Help me. I can't breathe."

Unable to stand or even sit up, Dwyer was hoisted onto a stretcher. As paramedics prepared to load him into an ambulance, an officer noticed Dwyer's eyes had glassed over and were fixed.

A half hour later, he was dead.

When Dionne Knapp learned of her friend's June 28 death, her first reaction was to be angry at Dwyer. How could he leave his wife and daughter like this? Didn't he know he had friends who cared about him, who wanted to help?

But as time passed, Knapp's anger turned toward the Army.

A photograph taken in the first days of the war had made the medic from New York's Long Island a symbol of the United States' good intentions in the Middle East. When he returned home, he was hailed as a hero.

But for most of the past five years, the 31-year-old soldier had writhed in a private hell, shooting at imaginary enemies and dodging nonexistent roadside bombs, sleeping in a closet bunker and trying desperately to huff away the "demons" in his head. When his personal problems became public, efforts were made to help him, but nothing seemed to work.

This broken, frightened man had once been the embodiment of American might and compassion. If the military couldn't save him, Knapp thought, what hope was there for the thousands suffering in anonymity?
...

I highly recommend the rest of the story...it's something every American should read.

Zaro · #2 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 12:53 PM

Add to the cost of this war all the unfunded obligations to support returning veterans who are either physically or mentally unable to support themselves and their families. Some need 24/7 care, meaning a spouse or family member is unable to work.

Makedde · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 09:29 PM

I know someone who faught in Iraq for about six months. He came back and now suffers from PTSD and is seeing a therapist and has for the past two years.
Now he has been called back up again so he has to go back to Iraq when he is already suffering from the first time!!!

Don't they even care?

katiegrrl0 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catzmeow

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/military_the_enemy_within

I highly recommend the rest of the story...it's something every American should read.

I am anti war but pro vet. They should get all the care they deserve. The best of care. The US should be obligated by the service these people provided. i may not always believe in what they are doing but they did what they were asked to the best of their ability. We owe them something in fact everything they need to see to theior care.

B L Zeebub · #5 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 10:19 PM

I am anti war, and a vet, it took me about 20yrs to get most of the (*)(*)(*)(*) out of my head

Raharu Haruha · #6 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 10:56 PM

WTF?

Who goes to war naked?

White Fox · #7 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 11:07 PM

Maybe next time, the administration can double-check its intelligence.

katiegrrl0 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White Fox

Maybe next time, the administration can double-check its intelligence.

That might have been a good thing this time.

White Fox · #9 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katiegrrl0

That might have been a good thing this time.

Too late for that.........

katiegrrl0 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White Fox

Too late for that.........

your tellin g me. BUt we can take heart Bush said Mission accomplished.

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