Vets - This is a must read

[Jeriatric]

He was, as one buddy says, the guy who could help everybody -- everybody but himself.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/18...#ixzz2NvVsHRDr



RIP Soldier

[spydaman60]

somehow you have to believe our system failed him! to his family and friends!

[Jeriatric]

somehow you have to believe our system failed him! to his family and friends!

There are some/many wonderful people in the system(both on active duty, and within the VA). Many as courageous as he. Few outside of them, and those they treat, get it.

Most glaringly absent is the lack of understanding by those they need on their side the most.

Who is that? The people holding the purse strings.

[spydaman60]

There are some/many wonderful people in the system(both on active duty, and within the VA). Many as courageous as he. Few outside of them, and those they treat, get it.

Most glaringly absent is the lack of understanding of those they need on their side the most.

Who is that? The people holding the purse strings.

ain't that the truth!!!!

[jerpinoy]

Thanks for sharing his story. God Bless his soul and his families behind.

[bruiser]

Read this yesterday on the Armed Forces News site. What a shame. The local Air Force base had 6 suicides in 2010. All but one were Iraq/Afghanistan returnees. There is still the stigma that seeking treatment will affect their records and chances for retention and promotion. The pursestrings are going to get tighter with sequestration. I have to end this reply lest I get angrier.

[grumpybob]

R.I.P Mr. Linnerooth. You did your job here, now you are probably doing it in Heaven.

Way to many similar stories. To many ending the way his did, and to many ongoing through life in total agony.


PTSD has so many causes and no cures.

[Bob Ledford]

There is no doubt in my military mind the returning Warrior health care system failed the Soldier from the get go! he should have been screened before being deployed into the combat zone (CZ), during his time in the CZ, upon redeployment, and by the VA and or the military upon his release from service.

Despite all the supposedly checks and balances failed him. To bad the DOD does not have a ZERO TOLERANCE for HeaLth Care for Veterans and Active Duty Soldiers. The Wounded Warrior program works but he obviously was not physically wounded. But wounded mentally which is very hard to detect even if your a mental Heath specialist so I am told by the experts.

Bob Ledford,
Retired United States Army
Master Sargent, Medical Logistics

[Johnny_Swindle]

I have seen this all too often. A brilliant Solider, Sailor, Airman, Marine, who excels at his/her craft burns out after lack of mental health support. When will we get it……psychological scars and trauma are real and take a toll…..it is not a lack of backbone or a weakness in one’s character.

We must in the country invest in prevention……and put our money where our mouths are

Johnny L. Swindle, Major, USAF, NC, Retired

[Jeriatric]

I have seen this all too often. A brilliant Solider, Sailor, Airman, Marine, who excels at his/her craft burns out after lack of mental health support. When will we get it……psychological scars and trauma are real and take a toll…..it is not a lack of backbone or a weakness in one’s character.

We must in the country invest in prevention……and put our money where our mouths are

Johnny L. Swindle, Major, USAF, NC, Retired

So true. In fact, I would bet my life if it was honestly studied and reported the report would come back with just the opposite in findings. Exemplary in character, with a spine of steel, while demonstrating an unwavering dedication focused on their mission, not themselves.

[Oldmanzues]

The added sadness is he is not alone. I do not know where it started, but is true of war. All Gave Some, Some gave all. I have been on more then one PGR Mission, where the war killed them, but not by bullets.
Oldmanzues

[IGETAROUND]

Thank you for posting this. This is what I live everyday at my job. The VA is such a massively ineffective system with which to try and address the mental health needs of our veterans.

18-22 suicides a DAY for the last 10 years is the reality of the problem.

1200- 1300 admissions / year is my life. I provide primary care on a locked psychiatric ward. You try and do the best you can in a short, concentrated period of intervention before sending them back out to a system which does primary care fairly well but is not any where close to being as agile as is needed to deal with the mental health issues of our wounded warriors.

Been at this for over 6 years now working with a great psychiatrist whose been in the trenches for the last 23 years. Some days it's just heartbreaking; on others it's profoundly rewarding. Unfortunately there are more of the former rather than of the latter.

You attempt to create the "Ah Ha" moments for the veterans entrusted to your care in the limited time you have to spend with them prior to their return to the "real" world in which we all must live.

Love it and hate the frustration for the vets as well as their care givers. May none of you ever need my services. Thanks for listening to my rant. I feel the need for speed!!! and the wind in my face.

[acinpcola]

Not much more I can add to the comments that have been made by My Fellow Veterans. I think it is time for Our Country to think about putting a Veteran in the Center Seat of our Great Nation. Perhaps one that is dealing with the VA and one that believes that we as a Nation need to come together and get Our Country back to where it should be. Honoring It's Vets, and Making sure that our Military and our Seniors never again have to worry about being taken care of. Then perhaps we as a Nation can get to helping these Veterans deal with the reality and horror of the sacrifice they gave to keep us Free and Safe.

May this Captain Rest in Peace.

Al Carney
CPO,USN, Ret.

[bruiser]

"The nation which forgets its defenders, will itself be forgotten".
Calvin Coolidge

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers".
Jose Narosky

[Wiredux]

This is sad. Being an Army Vet this hits close to home.

[Jeriatric]

You know what pxxxxx me off. Someone could post that someone else's dog died and it would get 10,000 hits and half of those would say how sorry they are.

Sad!

[ValCruzSpyder]

Having spent 24-years serving my country, this hits way to close to home. So many of our brave sons, daughters, husbands, wives, and loved ones have answered the call...and paid the ultimate sacrifice. In 2006, my wife and I were dealt our most serious setback. Our son was injuried by an IED that somersaulted his armored vehicle. Visiting him at Brooke Army Medical Center, my wife formed some lasting relationships with some of the families who had service members undergoing treatment for their various injuries (mentally and physically). It was pretty amazing to see the staff at BAMC performing their daily tasks, ensuring that all who passed through their doors were cared for in the utmost professional manner. Sadly, 4-months and 5-days after the IED incident, Shannon, our beloved son, lost his battle for recovery. Although his fight was with injuries that we could physically see, there are those who fight the battle of unseen demons. Diagnosing and treating those demons is far more complicated than treating so-called physical wounds. As the medical field continues to make great strides in the treatment of mental impairment/deficiencies, we still have a long way to go. Soon, all of our servicemen and servicewomen will be home. Soon, some of them will need help in some type or capacity. Make it your mission to be there when and if they need you. It may just be the medicine they need to make it one day at a time. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now.
To all those who serve, we pray for your safe return.
To all those who served, we thank you...we are forever in your debt.

John C. Valentine Sr. ABHC(AW/SW) USN, Retired

[Daisyjoe]

Having spent 24-years serving my country, this hits way to close to home. So many of our brave sons, daughters, husbands, wives, and loved ones have answered the call...and paid the ultimate sacrifice. In 2006, my wife and I were dealt our most serious setback. Our son was injuried by an IED that somersaulted his armored vehicle. Visiting him at Brooke Army Medical Center, my wife formed some lasting relationships with some of the families who had service members undergoing treatment for their various injuries (mentally and physically). It was pretty amazing to see the staff at BAMC performing their daily tasks, ensuring that all who passed through their doors were cared for in the utmost professional manner. Sadly, 4-months and 5-days after the IED incident, Shannon, our beloved son, lost his battle for recovery. Although his fight was with injuries that we could physically see, there are those who fight the battle of unseen demons. Diagnosing and treating those demons is far more complicated than treating so-called physical wounds. As the medical field continues to make great strides in the treatment of mental impairment/deficiencies, we still have a long way to go. Soon, all of our servicemen and servicewomen will be home. Soon, some of them will need help in some type or capacity. Make it your mission to be there when and if they need you. It may just be the medicine they need to make it one day at a time. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now.
To all those who serve, we pray for your safe return.
To all those who served, we thank you...we are forever in your debt.



John C. Valentine Sr. ABHC(AW/SW) USN, Retired

So sorry for your loss. Many families lose a loved one to the terrible dragon called war. Some physical and many more mentally. The money that the US spends on frivolous things needs to be redirected for long term mental health issues for military and their families. I could never say enough thank yous for putting your life on the line so I can continue to live my life of freedom. I will never take it for granted. May God bless each of you.

[bruiser]

John, I cannot imagine how you feel losing your son, even after 7 years. Kris and I offer our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Thank you Brother for your service.

Jim

[ValCruzSpyder]

We manage day by day. It's never really easy, and I can never seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But we manage. We're getting better at managing the imotional part, support systems and such. Some days are better than others. The Spyder actually has made a big difference!!!!!!

[danlnc]

This country never did care about the returning Vets. How many WWII vets became alcoholics, and the Nam vets drug users. Once they are done with us they throw us away.

[Jeriatric]

Abnegation

It is a defense mechanism in which a person is faced with a fact that is too uncomfortable to accept and rejects it instead, insisting that it is not true despite what may be overwhelming evidence.

Denial