The Sobering Veteran Stories College Station TX Soldiers Live Over Again

By Carolyn Barnes


There were many World War II veterans who never spoke about the experiences they had in Europe and the Pacific. It is really just recently that journalists have become interested in what happened to them and want to record it for future generations. The soldiers who spent time in Iraq and Afghanistan seem to be more open and willing to share their experiences, feelings, and frustrations. They have veteran stories College Station TX civilians should hear.

A story one marine tells involves the difficulties of getting a correct diagnosis and getting medical visits approved for payment. After he woke up one morning with partial facial paralysis, he visited a number of medical professionals before he got a diagnosis of Bell's Palsy. He is not convinced this is his problem and continues to see doctors. In the meantime, his medical bills are stuck in government red tape, and his credit is ruined.

An Iraq soldier who has been diagnosed with PTSD, describes months of binge drinking, and drug taking. His first wife learned to recognize the signs that he was about to have an episode and took their children to her parents to keep them safe. He ended up in various destructive relationships and considered suicide. He credits the Veteran's Crisis Line for saving his life.

A soldier who spent time in Baghdad was also diagnosed with PTSD after he returned. He filed all the paperwork for disability which was granted, but the government agency refused to attribute the condition to his military service. He would like to ask them what the criteria is to be considered disabled with PTSD through military service. He knows it has to be more than being ambushed, shot, severely wounded, and mentally harmed.

The wife of a soldier who served time in Afghanistan has her own horror story to tell. Her husband came back from the Middle East and has been unable to function as a normal human being. She says he cringes when a car he is riding in hits a bump. He has nightmares and can't eat. She has taken him to numerous specialists, and he has been diagnosed with PTSD, but has only been given prescriptions and released.

There are positive experiences, and returning soldiers like to emphasize them whenever they can. One soldier is happy to report the great experience he had with the Veteran's Hospital in Virginia. He had to have his knee replaced. They performed the operation. He spent time in a rehabilitation facility. All his bills were handled by the VA in a timely and efficient manner.

Feelings of profound guilt are not unusual. One soldier, who was interviewed, is certain he was responsible for the deaths of many civilians, including women and children. He will not return to the United States. He spends his life moving from country to country and finds no comfort or peace in any of them.

Individuals who choose to serve their country and put themselves in harm's way deserve to come home to praise and support. They shouldn't have to fight another battle with doctors and government red tape.




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