When The War Comes Home

-War at best is barbarism- Gen. William T. Sherman, 1880

Even then, when wars were fought with muskets and cannonballs, bayonets and gun butts, it was horrific. Soldiers then suffered from the stress and trauma of war, and those affected were referred to as -wounded hearts-. In the world wars, it was referred to as -Shell Shock-. Some Korean War Veterans know it as -Battle Fatigue-, and -Jungle Fatigue- for some Vietnam Vets, and now known as PTSD. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) I do have to say that I am so happy they finally pinned down a name for something that has affected countless veterans who live among us. Individuals, virtually unspoken of and ignored except for one day a year. Individuals who felt strongly enough about their country, their families, their loved ones to place their own lives in jeopardy to ensure any enemy or threat to their countries way of life would not touch their homeland. Men and women do this, even now. We, my significant other and myself, feel as citizens, as people, as humanity, we owe them so much more than a parade once a year, a pat on the back, and an antiquated, overwhelmed Veterans Administration to treat their ailments.

So, what's with the walking wounded thing?

Well, before answering, there are a few things one needs to understand. One of them being, that an individual, a soldier, a sailor, an airman, a marine,who leaves home for war, will not be the same when they return.

The experience will forever change an individual. They will carry with them, seemingly eternally, pictures and memories of things they can not, in good consciousness, relay to those close to them, let alone a counselor in a veterans hospital.

An individual need not be on the front lines to be scarred either. Many in the military can be in the back lines as support. They too see things that will change them. During Desert Storm, toward the end, a Scud missile hit a building on a far rear support base. A few died, and several were wounded physically. One can only guess how many more were wounded, physiologically.

One could expect to be reasonably safe far behind the action. The shock of an attack could be just enough to cause a scar, let alone seeing the destruction caused in just a brief moment, or the possible loss of a friend. Wounds that don't show.

War changes people in different ways. Things occur which call for snap decisions. For instance, an individual, who's job it is to be a preserver of life, a medic, or a chaplain may find they have no choice but to raise a weapon against another, and against all they know, all they believe, all they stand for, take an other's life. Yes, it is war after all, but that does little to ease one's conscience. Wounds that don't show.

War is gruesome, as attested to me by an acquaintance who was riding in a jeep during Vietnam, talking to the driver, in the middle of telling a joke actually, when the drivers head suddenly disappeared in a red mist. They had driven into an ambush and the driver was hit with one of the first 50 caliber bullets fired from a hidden gun emplacement. The small column was hit hard for the next 45 minutes and the survivors, of which there were only five, two of which were unscathed, only escaped after a nearby Huey answered their mayday call and came to the rescue with guns blazing. The three wounded soldiers who were medivaced did not survive their injuries. My acquaintance saw the death of the driver every night up until about ten years ago, when he ended his own life. His suicide note ended with the sentence, -I pray the dreams will die with me.- Wounds that don't show.

My own father, during WWII was caught in an air raid in London. He was outside, and the air raid sirens damaged in the previous air raid had not been repaired. He hit the ground, but a nearby blast ruptured the side walk under him and he was hurt.  As a child, I can remember him ducking when ever a plane flew overhead. It continued for several years until he finally, by shear will, defeated the urge to hide at the sound of aircraft over head, though his face would grimace and he would hold on to the nearest solid object he could find as though he expected an explosion at any moment that would knock him down. Wounds that don't show.

All examples of PTSD. I call the victims, The Walking Wounded.

Those who remain in the military untill retirement, usually after 20 years recieve a pension, based upon the rank of the individual at retirement. Along with the pension, they also receive medical treatment for the rest of their lives, at the. VA.

If an individual is wounded, and disabled, they receive a portion of the pay they were receiving when they were in the military, depending upon the severity of their dis-ability. They are eligible for medical treatment, at the VA.

If an individual gets out before 20 years, say after the first enlistment, or the second, they are just done. Other than any educational benefits they may have earned by enlisting, (Like the GI bill for instance) there are no longer any obligations on either part. However, the individual may qualify for medical treatment. Guess where. Yup. The VA.

Finally, if after leaving the military, and something happens to pop up that one feels may be service related, they make enter a claim, and the VA (Yup, them again. Busy little boogers, aren't they?!) will make a decision, which although there is an appeal available, usually quite final the first time around. Either yes, we find you eligible, or we find your claim non-service related. If you are found eligible, you can seek care at (Where else?) the VA.

Now there are VA facilities in most large cities, and even some smaller VA outposts in a few smaller towns, all over the United States. (And that's just peachy keen if you either live in or close to one of the major cities or small towns which have been graced with a VA Clinic! Problem is, not everyone does.)

The process of trying to get a disability alone is a long and drawn out process that would tax the patients (oops, Freudian slip! make that patience!) of someone who was well, let alone someone who is ill or is suffering from a mental disability. The process begins with an appointment with a Veteran Representative, who will take the veterans story, along with why the disability is being requested and any pertinent information. The individuals records are requested and the request is processed.

Somewhere, within the next thirty days or so, a letter will arrive informing the individual of an impending appointment for evaluation, (A physical) and instructions on fasting and such. Another thirty days or so away, (If you are lucky.) Finally, the appointment day arrives, and throughout the process of the day, the individual will complete the initial examination. Within the next thirty days or so, the individual will receive notification of whatever further visits to the VA that will be needed and appointment times. An extremely lengthy process. One that will only get more drawn out as our military men and women return from the present conflicts we are involved in overseas. I, and many others, feel this will only overburden an already struggling VA. We must seek out and investigate new and innovative ideas to try to help these courageous men and women as they return. For, as sure as I am writing this Hub, the war will come home.

Long after the last Duffel Bag, Sea Bag, or Ditty Bag is unpacked and stuffed into the dark corner of the basement, the war will still be going within the minds of more than I care to guess. I know this. I have been there, done that, and in fact do have the T-Shirt. (And you know government issue, one size fits all.)

The ones who fall through the cracks are those who can't wait. The ones who are troubled. The ones who have wounds that do not show. The walking wounded. And there are some interesting facts attached to these individuals. For instance, did you know that a disproportionate percentage of homeless-people are Veterans of our military services?

I'm sorry, but though the fact we have homeless persons in this country in the first place is a cause in itself, it absolutely pisses me off that there are homeless Veterans who deserve so much better from those of us who have appreciated their sacrifices for our well being. Come on people, the same folks who put their lives on the line for you need your help, and some need it right now!

But, I am getting ahead of myself. Settle down Akeejaho. Take a deep breath!

Well, it is hard, and I will try. But I hear things going on around me that I know are not right. Things that our men and women of the armed services are being forced to live with for an indeterminate time, when so many can ill afford the luxury of that much time.

An example? Of course. (Would you expect anything else from me?) Try this one for an attention getter. Not long ago, an Iraqi Vet recognized he needed help. Severely needed help. He tried to get help from the VA, but when he was put off, he took matters into his own hands, along with his own life.

Yes this was an extremely desperate thing to do. Yes this is an extreme example, but the fact that it did happen is all that matters. For those veterans who fall through the cracks, there has to be someone willing to reach down into the crack and offer a hand out. The VA, overburdened already can hardly afford the time to look themselves, and as I stated earlier, it is only going to get worse.

However, PTSD doesn't only manifest itself as depression, or suicide. PTSD is complex, showing itself in different individuals in different ways. Some have anger issues. Some become promiscuous. Some can't sleep, many can't concentrate. Some hear things, some see things. Some have panic attacks, Many have difficulty holding down a job. Some turn to alcohol, and some to drugs.  Some turn to crime.  Some have bad dreams.

For those fortunate enough to get help through the VA, they face a long road in a rather impersonal setting. Many times, different therapists at different times instead of an assigned therapist, and of course, the pills. An endless supply of those nasty little mind numbing pills that only mask the problem, make you foggy and a lump under a blanket on the couch. For those who have read my other Hubs, you know my views on meds, and know I have successfully lived for many years on healthy foods and herbal medicines. I believe in them and swear by them, and a healthy diet.

But where does one learn about these things? Not in this state! In this state, it is actually illegal for physicians to even mention alternative medicine within the confines of their professional practices. In fact, they can lose their liscence. (Shocking, no?, we'll get to that in a few minutes.

Yes, we, (you know who and I) are social activists. We see a cause here. We have been talking between ourselves, and just a couple trusted souls about addressing just this problem. We have worked on the ideas for an embarrassingly long time. We have brainstormed ideas on just what we want to achieve. We have had endless debates about ways we can make these visions come true, and possible locations for such dreams to be born, and just a seemingly insurmountable list of things to accomplish in order to achieve these dreams. We have come up with only one answer, and a mountain of questions. The questions are to many to list, so instead, we will just stick to the answer we came up with. The answer is you.

We have realized, we cannot do this alone. The scope is far to large for just two individuals to handle alone, no matter how dedicated to the cause. We need help. We need your help.

We need to tap the brains of all you Hubbers out there who peruse these pages, and the visitors who have landed on this Hub. We need to tap your brains, your resources, your time with a cause we feel should be near and dear to the hearts of all our fellow brothers and sisters in this nation.

The programs that have been put in place for those who have served their country are poorly lacking, overburdened, under financed, and ineffective in many cases due to their own inner bureaucracy. (I am not saying the VA is worthless. That is not the case at all.) The system needs extreme revamping and restructure, and until that time, it is up to the rest of us to reach in and pull these people back up and place them on their feet.

We have a vision of a place for those who suffer PTSD to learn an alternative way to face their disorder. We hope to gain enough attention to possibly attract professionals in the fields of therapy for volunteered time for individuals. We hope that perhaps even some physicians would be willing to donate some time.

Our vision encompasses a larger parcel of property to house the gardens in which those who become residents of Camp Serenity can work in to learn about organic gardening and earth conservation. The gardens will double as food source for those residents with overflow produce either processed for sale or consumption. Money made on sold products will be funneled back into Camp Serenity for improvements or to pay a modest salary to the caretakers of the camp. We also envision a few animals to help make camp serenity truely self sufficient.

Did I mention we envision using solar and wind power to help Camp Serenity be self sufficient and as green as possible. (Cause that's just the kind of folks we are!) We even have envisioned the buildings used to house the Veterans as one utilizing as many green practices as possible, up to and including the use of living roofs and systems for collecting rain water for household and gardening uses.

We have envisioned having programs set up with local community colleges for Veterans to receive re-training, with the possibility of time volunteered by teachers who themselves may be Veterans themselves.

And we envision helping those homeless Vets who become aware of what we have to offer, or those we reach ourselves, a chance to prove they are as valuable today as they were the day they raised their hands in service to our country. 

Yes, this is a huge undertaking, and perhaps a bit beyond our abilities. But, we like a challenge. With the help of all, we can do this. We need to do this, and have this all up and running soon, because before we know it, the war will be coming home. We need to be ready to welcome these folks home with open arms and a place for those who need help, to go.

This is a brief look at our concept. No, we are not crazy enough to think just one Camp Serenity is going to make all that much of a difference. That would truly be a Bi-Polar idea!

Yup, the rest of the dream! Because all you have read so far is just the center, the spark, the pearl. (Oops! I was beginning to wax poetically there for a moment!)

We are only two, be it very committed to this cause, individuals trying to bring to light something which will effect far more people than is realized at the moment. Let's face it. When was the last time anyone has heard a conversation recently about the plight of the american veteran? (Besides in a political speech.) This is not a common subject, and one so overlooked that there are far more in crisis than many know. The unfortunate thing is, for many it is already to late.

We think there are others out there who may share our feelings, and others who may care to share in our vision, and feel a sense of commitment to those who have sacrificed so much, and have asked so little in return.

Yes, one would hope the government, who indeed employed these individuals, would provide, and the fact is in some cases they have, but the little they receive is, very little. The Defense Budget is just that. A Defense Budget, for defense and the expenses so incurred, and leaves little for anything else. It provides virtually nothing for healing those who have stepped up to the plate. Far less than they deserve. We feel that it is those who make up this country who should step up and support those who have protected us. Step up and finish what our tax dollars have begun. Fill the gap to help those who deserve a hand up the most. Those who have dedicated all they truly own in this world to protecting their loved ones and their nation.. Themselves.

The rest of our dream is quite simple. We see communities adopting the idea. Communities of others, concerned as we are, opening these camps all over the states, dedicated to helping those coming home, those already home and in need, including our homeless veterans.

So what are we asking for?

We are asking for your help. We need those who know how to write grants, for those who know how to search for them, We need people who know others who may be interested in helping or joining the cause. We need contributions. We need exposure.

There are so many things we need. But it is not about what we need, it is about what those who we are reaching out for need. And they need us. They need us to understand their plight, they need us to welcome them home, and they need our support. What better way to give it.

Peace, Love and light to all.