It was called to my attention Friday morning by a very wise woman that honored me with a meeting, not to lose sight of the fact that the vets are calling the hotlines and that's very different from killing themselves.

I learned so much that I have to digest it all before trying to share it....I have a lot to unlearn about suicide...and according to her I haven't really shared my passion for the subject...I need to get busy!

I ranted and raved about how awful support groups have proved to be and how tired I am of recommending them to people who are in anguish only to be more hurt by attending one. I got no sympathy...she wondered why I have waited so long to start one...why I hadn't been to one of the facilitators seminars...why I only get one newsletter when there are so many good ones out there and why doesn't our city have intervention....well, I could go on and on but I really have to think about it all.

We are home...my sister has tests tomorrow and we are very worried about her. Thank you for the wonderful thread...Barbo is unable to respond to it at this time.

Hugs for the room.

What gets me is when people say that if you say you support the troops but not the war then you're unpatriotic and a hypocrite. I can't stand that. I have a right not to agree with the war and the soldier's are doing what their Commander in Chief has told them to do. They have to do that. That's what the military commands. Some don't believe in the war either, but they do what they're told. I don't have to agree with the president's choices, but I STILL can support the troops--individually or collectively.

I actively support the troops. I support veterans, servicemembers' families, and servicemembers too. More than a few friends of mine have been overseas--and not just from this country either. I spent more than 15 months biting my nails for my one friend and another 15 months doing the same for another friend. Sent loads of care packages, e-mail, letters..... kept in touch with SOs of the servicemember..... was a moderator on a military board for spouses, girlfriends, and family members..... and am involved in getting legal help for vets, servicemembers, and their families on a pro bono or reduced fee basis, whichever is appropriate.

And I can still feel a blow every time one of the DoD notices comes across my computer. I think about the servicemember, their family, and all who cared about them. I think about the loss they have suffered and the pain they have to go through because of it. I think about the kids who won't know their parent, the boyfriend/girlfriends who lose the one they were going to marry..... Unpatriotic? I don't think so. I've clapped in the airport when uniformed soldiers go by. The commercial that showed that occurred when my best friend was over there. It made me break down and cry. We should be supporting them. And I am proud that we are doing the opposite of what we did to the soldiers who were in Viet Nam. It's about time.

It galls me that in addition to the suicide rate that so many vets are homeless and returning soldiers are coming home to a hostile job market. The problems that affect this population isn't unique, but it is sad that we don't pay as much attention as we should.

The military recently removed the stigma of seeking mental health treatment, which is good. Before it could adversely affect security clearances. They claim that they're trying to reach out more. We'll see.....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...-homeless.html


this was in 2002


http://www.dasa.mod.uk/publications/...icideMar07.pdf

This equates to aprox 30 a year [serving personele]


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1758301.stm

these figures are from 2002 [vastly under the reported figures of nearer 700]



David

And then you get the one U.S. military base that decided to house its soldiers returned from Iraq who had PTSD near the artillery range. Um... great idea, huh? They've since remedied the situation, but wow, what brainiac decided to put them there?

DMack, one of my friends holds a dual US/Brit citizenship. He served in the British armed forces. He won't talk much about his service. I think he prefers to put it behind him. And he's only in his 40s.

Sherman had it right when he said, "War is hell."

Gazelle i'm 44 and yes its best not to think about it............i did.....and it made me the way i am today..............

David

David,

In everyone there is a well of peace. We just need to rediscover it sometimes.

If

we

could

only

shut

off

our

brains......