Image via WikipediaVeterans returning from war are faced with an overwhelming bundle of problems, including adjusting to civilian life, finding employment,
PTSD, financial dilemmas (the number of returning soldiers faced with foreclosure and bankruptcy is staggering), family problems and a myriad of physical and emotional health issues. They are hard-pressed to find government-sponsored assistance, resources or support. They are the
forgotten casualties of war.
Regardless of how you feel about the right or wrong of war, it is a sad fact of life...at least for the present. And the collateral damage and fallout from prosecuting a war are always far greater than any government statistics show. After all, if most of us understood the exorbitant
cost of war in terms of human life, we might try to settle our differences in some other way.
Those who have risked their lives in service to their countries are still at risk on their return. They have a disproportionately increased incidence (versus the population as a whole) of suicide, drug abuse, and social (even criminal) misconduct. They need help to come to them -- their own attempts to get the assistance that they need are too often futile.
I am an enemy of wars, in general. But I am unconditionally a champion of The Wounded Warriors Project. And I believe that soldiers are
Human Beings who need to be recognized and treated as such. Most of them are
anti-war: especially since they've seen the trauma first-hand, and so few revel in the glory of "victory."
Douglas E. Castle for
Links 4 Life Alerts.
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A letter from Tiffany Mellers to Douglas E. Castle, Titled "The Greatest Casualty Is Being Forgotten."
After almost nine years, the loss of more than 4,400 of my fellow American soldiers and countless Iraqi civilian lives, and at a cost of $800 billion that was badly needed at home, the War in Iraq is over.
Finally, the troops have come home, where they belong.
As an
Army Reservist, I'm part of a brother and sisterhood. We look out for each other during good times and bad. The mission has been accomplished, not because we're leaving Iraq, but because our troops committed themselves to their country and have served the
people of the United States to the best of their abilities.
Right or wrong, our nation sent these troops to war.
Our military men and women have done their duty and for that they deserve our thanks. Now, my fellow veterans need our support.
The
Wounded Warrior Project is dedicated to helping the thousands of wounded warriors returning home from the current conflicts and their families.
Will you chip in whatever you can afford during this season of giving as a tax-deductible contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project?
The tag line of the Wounded Warriors is, "The greatest casualty is being forgotten." Now that the war is receding from the headlines and soldiers are reentering civilian life, it's critical that this generation of troops is supported.
Veterans, suffering from wounds both seen and unseen, have returned to high unemployment. Thousands are homeless or about to lose their homes. They need treatment for their injuries and support transitioning to civilian life. In short, my fellow veterans need our help.
One of the most important principles of the Wounded Warriors is their emphasis on helping injured servicemembers aid and assist each other. That's how we ensure that we will have the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded servicemembers in our nation's history.
No matter whether you opposed the war or supported it, will you help support our veterans by making a tax-deductible contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project?
Thank you for helping our wounded warriors.
This email was sent to George W. Bush on December 30, 2011. Actually, George W. Bush is a convenient pseudonym for Douglas E. Castle, when he's receiving stacks of email solicitations from various cause-based organizations... especially those generally regarded as being "liberal" or "progressive." In cases where the cause is deemed "conservative," "Republican," "traditional values" or "right-wing," I use Al Franken as a pseudonym.
*The telephone number for the Veteran's Administration's Crisis Hotline is 800-273-8255. Write it down. Keep it at hand. Let others know about it. If you are a veteran, or if you know of a veteran who is in crisis, get on the phone and make that call. Be persistent. Don't take "no" or " we don't know" for an answer.
