General Dennis L. Via to Speak at Nashville Rotary

The Nashville Rotary will have a special Rotary Veterans Day celebration honoring men and women who served in the military. The program will include a special recognition of Rotary member veterans, a presentation of colors by Vanderbilt NROTC Color Guard & a baritone soloist will deliver the national anthem. Additionally, we will honor guest WWII African-American veterans (now in their 90’s) who recently received medals for their heroic service in segregated units in WWII.

The special speaker for the Nashville Rotary on November 3, 2014, will be speaker, GEN Dennis L. Via, who became the 18th Commanding General of the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) August 7, 2012. AMC is the Army’s premier provider of materiel readiness to ensure dominant land force capability for the U.S. Warfighters and our allies.

General Dennis L. Via

General Via’s prior assignment was as AMC’s Deputy Commanding General. He deployed to Southwest Asia in October 2011 as the Commander, AMC Responsible Reset Task Force with the mission of leading the strategic integration of the Materiel Enterprise for the Retrograde of equipment and materiel out of Iraq at the conclusion of Operation New Dawn. Prior to that, he served as Director for Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems, J-6, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.

USMC Mark McCann, Sr.(WWII Congressional Gold Medal Recipient), Mark McCann, Jr.(Iraq) and Bert Watkins (Vietnam Purple Heart)

Mr. Henry Shaw (WWII)

Along with WWII Veterans, other special Veterans in attendance to hear General Via will be the Triple Nickels, the first Black Paratroopers in the U. S. Army; Bert Watkins, USMC Purple Heart Recipient who fought courageously in the Operation Swift; Don McCasland, Army Veteran from Desert Storm, OIF, OEF, and co-founder of SAFE (Soldiers and Families Embraced) along with Co-founder, Veteran Rev. Jodi McCullah; Rick DelaHaya, Air Force Veteran who assisted communications for President Clinton and President Bush during 9-11.

 

It is worth noting that many of the guest veterans were hosts to thousands active duty members of the military, veterans, and their families who visited the Steve Mumford's War Journals 2003-2013 exhibition at the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. They gave moral support and counseling while sharing their experiences with others.

Genma Holmes To Speak at Inaugural Art Camp Nashville

I am super honored to share how to help passionate volunteers find their purpose with non-profits. Music City is filled with many hearts who want to serve with their time and talents to help meet the needs of the community and individuals.

With the Middle Tennessee Region being one of the most philanthropic areas of the country, many non-profits look for ways to attract and keep engaged volunteers. Creative volunteers who are servant leaders are often looking for a purpose and do not want to be a "body for a day".

So how do we match non profits' needs with the gifts and talents of strong volunteers? Join me at the Inaugural Art Camp Nashville to hear me share from my treasure chest of ideas that worked and did not work for me as a volunteer. Also hear what I look for in a cause or non-profit to donate too and the various ways I have raised funds for several organizations.

This is going to be a "different" session but very special. I hope to see you. My session is from 2:15-3:20 at Nossi College of Art.

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The Veteran and Military Community Must Vote for Congressional Leaders Who Are Willing to Resolve VA Issues Not Exploit Them

As an avid supporter of military families, I have learned to temper my outrage when it comes to the treatment of those who have served by our government after a military person retires from active duty. I have also learned that many individuals who say "thank you for your service" to show support for member of the military will also vote for a member of Congress who would be willing to cut funding for services to a veteran while giving him/herself a raise. Cutting services that could help veterans, voting against funds, or not voting on bills at all to help the Veteran Affairs (VA) are as common as crossing the street. Yet, it is done often by members of congress who will wave the American Flag while blocking votes to help veterans.

Having several members of my family who have served, I have heard stories that represent the good, the bad, and the ugly about VA Hospitals. I remember vividly as young girl seeing one of my uncles, a WWII veteran, kick out the back door of an ambulance while screaming, “Don’t take me to the VA!” He had one bad experience that left him afraid of the doctors at the VA for the rest of his life. I have also experienced in my adulthood some of the best healthcare given to veterans at VA hospitals. Recently a friend who is a member of the Triple Nickles, the First Black Paratroopers, got ill and was hospitalized at the VA. Over the years, I have visited the VA on many occasions to visit veterans and their family members. I have often wondered if Congress members visit the VA in their area without announcing they are going?

Triple Nickels

The VA issues that have been reported on for the last several weeks regarding veterans not being seen by doctors and the backlog of disability claims, as horrendously as it is, are not new. I have heard these issues talked about in my grandparents’ home during the 70’s. That was before the Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq Wars. Dissecting the many issues of the VA would take a month long in-depth series but let us look at a few that are systemic from one decade to another.

Many in congress now have been in congress for several terms. On the VA Subcommittee for Healthcare, the role of the committee states: Subcommittee on Health, which shall have legislative, oversight, and investigative jurisdiction over the Veterans Health Administration including medical services, medical support and compliance, medical facilities, medical and prosthetic research, and major and minor construction.

The Members of the Subcommittee are: (Republicans) Dan Benishek (MI) Chairman: David Roe (TN): Jeff Denham (CA); Tim Huelskamp (KS); David Jolly (FL); (Democrats) Julia Brownley (CA;)Ranking Minority Member; Corrine Brown (FL); Raul Ruiz (CA); Gloria Negrete-McLeod (CA); and Ann Kuster (NH).*

Of the names listed above, Jeff Denham is the only member on the committee who has served in the military. Healthcare is one of the most important issues that a veteran faces after service. With millions of veterans returning from Afghan and Iraq, members of the committee should have some military experience to be able to relate to the gravity of the veteran and military issues.

Don McCasland (Army): Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq Veteran

 Here are a few of the bills that have been introduced over the years that deal with veterans’ healthcare:
U.S. H.R. 3053 (113th) - Healthcare for Our Heroes Act Armed forces and national security
Kyrsten Sinema / The bill has been referred to committee.
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Professional Scholarship Program.

U.S. H.R. 635 (113th) - Help Establish Access to Local Timely Healthcare for Your Vets Act of 2013
Armed forces and national security
Stevan Pearce / The bill has been referred to committee.
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts with community health care providers to improve access to health care for veterans in highly rural areas, and for other purposes. 

U.S. H.R. 3895 (112th) - Protect VA Healthcare Act of 2012
Economics and public finance
Jeff Miller / The bill has been introduced.
To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to clarify that all veterans programs are exempt from sequestration. 

U.S. H.R. 3682 (112th) - Patient Centered Healthcare Savings Act of 2011
Health
Sean Duffy / The bill has been introduced.
To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and provide for comprehensive health reform, and for other purposes. 

U.S. H.R. 315 (110th) - Help Establish Access to Local Timely Healthcare for Your Vets (HEALTHY Vets) Act of 2007
Veterans
Stevan Pearce / The billed has been introduced.
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts with community health care providers to improve access to health care for veterans in highly rural areas, and for other purposes. 

U.S. H.R. 6036 (109th) - Help Establish Access to Local Timely Healthcare for Your Vets (HEALTHY Vets) Act of 2006
Veterans
Stevan Pearce / The bill has been introduced.
To amend title 38, United States Code, to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts with community health care providers to improve access to health care for veterans in highly rural areas, and for other purposes.

U.S. S. 1682 (110th) - Servicemembers' Healthcare Benefits and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act of 2007
Defense policy
Olympia Snowe / The bill has been introduced.
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the management of medical care for members of the Armed Forces, to improve the speed and efficiency of the physical disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

U.S. S. 1670 (110th) - Servicemembers' Healthcare Benefits and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act of 2007
Defense policy
Olympia Snowe / The bill has been introduced.
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve the management of medical care for members of the Armed Forces, to improve the speed and efficiency of the physical disability evaluation system of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

 U.S. H.R. 612 (110th) - Returning Servicemember VA Healthcare Insurance Act of 2007
Veterans
Bob Filner / The bill was voted on in the House on May 23, 2007
To amend title 38, United States Code, to extend the period of eligibility for health care for combat service in the Persian Gulf War or future hostilities from two years to five years after discharge or

The bills listed are just a few of many that were introduced. Introducing a bill is easy but getting one passed, that will benefit veterans, is an entirely different matter. Most bills are referred to a subcommittee where they die a slow death like a veteran waiting to receive healthcare.

It is time for members of the military and veterans to protect their interests by voting for members of congress who will advocate, pass bills, and regulate funding for veterans, not against them. This may means not looking at who you like or party affiliations but voting for individuals who vote the interests of the military and veteran community. Too often, members of congress use being on a VA committee as campaign badge of honor to say they are supportive of military and veterans’ issues. Often, the only bills that are passed are naming building after our heroes while doing absolutely nothing to help improve the quality of life of many of our veterans by increasing and implementing healthcare funding. It is a dog and pony show in congress when it comes to the VA. And has been for years. Yes, improvements have been made but those improvements usually come after a major scandal like Walter Reed Hospital.

Old Walter Reed Hospital

The ranking member of the Senate VA Chair is North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr (R). It is no secret in the veteran community that Burr has a horrible reputation with veterans groups but his actions leading up to Memorial Day Weekend made it clear for the 99% who have not served in the military that he is not fit to be on a committee dealing with veteran issues.

Sen. Burr

The week before the holiday, a hearing on the state of the VA was held. During the hearings, several leaders of Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) testified before congress. Sen. Burr was not present during their testimony and only returned after the group finished testifying.

The next day, Sen. Burr admonished the VSOs in an open letter. Here are some of his comments to the VSOs:

 Regrettably, the Legion was alone among the VSOs that testified in taking such a stand. It became clear at the hearing that most of the other VSOs attending appear to be more interested in defending the status quo within VA, protecting their relationships within the agency, and securing their access to the Secretary and his inner circle. But to what end? What use is their access to senior VA staff, up to and including the Secretary, if they do not use their unprecedented access to a Cabinet Secretary to secure timely access to care for their membership? What hope is there for change within the VA if those closest to the agency don't use that proximity for the good of veterans across our country?

Did I mention, that Sen. Burr has never served in the military? Yet, he chastised men of war of who have served faithfully and honorably about their testimony that he never heard. What do you think the VSOs leaders did? They did what men of war do; they opened a can of whip-ass (with words) and fired back telling Burr what they thought of him and his lack of respect for VSOs and veterans.

Sen. Burr was elected to the Senate in 2005 to represent the state of North Carolina. He sits on the Veterans Affairs Committee. North Carolina has eight military bases. EIGHT! Pope AFB, Seymour Johnson AFB, Camp McKall, Fort Bragg, Air Station Elizabeth City, National Strike Force, Camp Lejeune, MCAS Cherry Point, MCAS New River, and Military Ocean Terminal Point.

His top contributors:**
Health Professionals $455,742
Lawyers/Law Firms $415,801
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $415,705
Insurance $407,751
Lobbyists $304,996
Securities and Investment $298,325
Electric Utilities $271,479
Real Estate $262,518
Banks and Credit $227,534
Oil and Gas $208,050

 Sen. Burr votes for the interests of his donors. In an accepted pay to play political culture, Congress usually votes on issues that their top donors want them to vote on not the interests their constituents.  In a state with eight military bases, Sen Burr should be fighting tooth and nail for veterans not penning a letter that was meant to marginalize and antagonize veteran groups. 

The military and veteran community need to desperately start to vote their interest. There are too many in Congress who do not vote for the interests of those who have served or is active duty military. It is time for veterans to protect their interests like they protected our country...bravely, courageously and with fierce determination.

Montford Point Marine Mark McCann Sr. meeting Vietnam Marine Bert Watkins the 1st time.

* OpenSecrets.Org
**Maplight
Photo Credits: VA, Sen. Burr, Genma Holmes, Don McCasland, Triple Nickels Archives

Soldiers Turned Songwriters to Perform at SAFE's Nashville Breakfast

SAFE, Soldiers and Families Embrace, is continuing to help active military men and women and veterans seek healing from the traumas of war. In September, SAFE paired Nashville songwriters with soldiers to share their stories through songs. On November 8 2013, a benefit concert was held for love ones and the public to hear the music that blood, sacrifice, and tears help produced.

On Friday, November 15, 2013, some of the songs will be performed again at SAFE's Nashville Breakfast. The SAFE Nashville's Breakfast will be held at Ben Folds’ Studio, 30 Music Sq. W. Ste. 310, Nashville, TN 37203 8:30 am.

One of the songs that will be performed at breakfast was co-written by Vietnam Veteran Bill Fritschler (sic), Jason Jones, and Keni Thomas, entitled "Unspoken."  The song expresses the pain of veterans and members of the military not being able to talk to their families about their war experiences. The song tells us about Bill's father's Silver Star, an award for valor in combat that Bill did not know his father had received in WWII until after Bill's father died. He and his mother never knew why or what had happened.  The three will share and sing the song.  Veteran David Bradley will also be there to share and sing his song, "Get a Hero Home." 

More About the Performers

In the summer of 1993, Sergeant Keni Thomas was deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia with the 3rd Ranger Battalion as part of an elite special operations package called Task Force Ranger. Their mission was to find a capture a criminal warlord named Mohammed Farrah Aideed. On the 3rd of October, Keni and his fellow rangers distinguished themselves in an eighteen hour fire-fight that would later be recounted in the highly successful book and movie “Blackhawk Down”. Nineteen Americans gave their lives and 78 were wounded in the worst urban combat seen by US troops since WWII.

Jason Jones is the son of a Vietnam Veteran and has shared that he has been able to talk to his dad more since the retreat than ever before about his war experiences. 

David Bradley is a veteran of Britain's Royal Air Force who donates a great deal of his time to veterans and their families and who personally recruited about a third of the songwriters who participated in the retreat and now the concert on Nov. 8. 

More About SAFE

SAFE is a resource for the region to ease the readjustment and reintegration of military members returning from our current wars and their families, as well as veterans from previous eras. The counselors and staff of Soldiers And Families Embraced are made up of veterans, family members of veterans or active duty military, or have extensive experience working with them. All services are confidential and provided free of charge.

http://thesafenetwork.org

For media interviews, contact: Jodi McCullah

jodi@thesafenetwork.org

For more photos from last week's concert, click here.

SAFE Co-Founder: Impact of PTSD Can No Longer Be Ignored on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life as we celebrate our military heroes' journeys before and after their service to our country. Hear from men and women who are sons and daughters; husbands and wives; fathers and mothers; grandparents; siblings; and loyal friends. Hear members of the Marines, Army, Air Force, and Navy share personal stories and highlights from their military careers. All have roles that made them the "first" in many endeavors throughout their lives and in the military. We will hear about their rarely discussed acts of courage and sacrifice that embody servant leadership that will empower, inspire, and motivate listeners.

On Saturday, September 21, 2013, tune in to hear veteran, pastor, and co-founder of  SAFE, Rev. Jodi McCullah discuss the ever increasing awareness of PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) and TBI (traumatic brain injury) in the veteran and active duty members of the military. Listen as Jodi McCullah share how unresolved issues from facing life and death trauma daily can have a lasting impact on the mind, body, and soul. 

Jodi McCullah also talks about the importance of self care and two of the basic needs that many seek when asking for help, confidentiality. She shares how vital the importance of trust and confidentiality are for a person who maybe suffering from mental health issues. It may also be the determining factor to getting them into counseling.

Jodi McCullah was interviewed two days prior to the Navy Yard tragedy. Listen closely as some of the issues that have gripped the headlines during this week are foreshadowed in this compelling interview. PTSD can no longer be ignored as communities look for more solutions to get members of the military community help without shame, labeling, or repercussions.

 Tune into 760AM in the Middle Tennessee Region, on Tune In, streaming live online at UStream.TV, and on military bases on Saturdays from 9:00-10:00am CST.

Symptoms of PTSD (Mayo Clinic)
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms typically start within three months of a traumatic event. In a small number of cases, though, PTSD symptoms may not appear until years after the event. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are generally grouped into three types: intrusive memories, avoidance and numbing, and increased anxiety or emotional arousal (hyperarousal). 

Symptoms of intrusive memories may include:

• Flashbacks, or reliving the traumatic event for minutes or even days at a time
• Upsetting dreams about the traumatic event

Symptoms of avoidance and emotional numbing may include:

• Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Avoiding activities you once enjoyed
• Hopelessness about the future
• Memory problems
• Trouble concentrating
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships

Symptoms of anxiety and increased emotional arousal may include:

• Irritability or anger
• Overwhelming guilt or shame
• Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much
• Trouble sleeping
• Being easily startled or frightened
• Hearing or seeing things that aren't there

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms can come and go. You may have more post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms when things are stressful in general, or when you run into reminders of what you went through. You may hear a car backfire and relive combat experiences, for instance. Or you may see a report on the news about a rape and feel overcome by memories of your own assault. 

When to see a doctor

It's normal to have a wide range of feelings and emotions after a traumatic event. You might experience fear and anxiety, a lack of focus, sadness, changes in how well you sleep or how much you eat, or crying spells that catch you off guard. You may have nightmares or be unable to stop thinking about the event. This doesn't mean you have post-traumatic stress disorder. 

But if you have these disturbing thoughts and feelings for more than a month, if they're severe, or if you feel you're having trouble getting your life back under control, talk to your health care professional. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from getting worse. 

In some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms may be so severe that you need emergency help, especially if you're thinking about harming yourself or someone else. If this happens, call 911 or other emergency medical service, or ask a supportive family member or friend for help.

Photos by Lawrence Taylor

Nashville Songwriters to help Middle Tennessee Heroes Heal Through Workshop

Fort Campbell is proud to be the home of the only Air Assault Division in the world, the 101st Airborne Division, the Army’s most-deployed contingency forces. In fact, the most recent U.S census recognizes that Clarksville, TN as the 2nd densest veteran population in the country. An hour drive from Clarksville and Fort Campbell is Nashville, TN, home to the Tennessee National Guard. Members of the Tennessee National Guard  have been deployed multiple times since 2002.

Many of these warriors carry with them Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other emotional, mental, and physical injuries.

There is little argument that war is hard. The sacrifice, courage, and determination that it takes for the men and women of America’s Armed Forces to face loss of life and limb on the battlefield can be unimaginable to most ordinary civilians.  Often, the battlefield is not left behind when our military men and women return home. The burden of war is carried within them. The memories of combat experiences invade the mind daily. This impacts their ability to rejoin the community, families are torn apart, jobs are lost, and some face incarceration. The solider suffers silently while family and close relationships watch hopelessly.

Because music can change and even potentially save a life, Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) and The Beat of Life are combining the expertise and resources of trained counselors and professional songwriters to help Ft. Campbell's veterans and active duty military personnel find a voice to tell their stories through songs.

The Bluebird Café calls the songwriters the “heroes behind the hits”. Nashville is nationally recognized as one of the top homes for successful songwriters of all genres. Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is one of the nation's highest songwriting honors. The songwriter is the heart beat of Music City and Middle Tennessee.

On the weekend of September 20-22, 2013, twenty servicemen and women have been invited to attend a retreat at the beautiful Cedar Crest United Methodist Campsite in Lyles, TN, where each soldier will be paired with one of Nashville’s most prolific songwriters to collaborate in telling their stories and creating original songs. Those stories, told through the undeniable power of music, will hopefully help begin that healing process.


Singing Their Stories Concert:

On November 8, 2013 at 7pm, these soldiers-turned-songwriters will take the stage with their co-writers to perform the original songs created at the retreat for family, friends, and the general public. The concert will feature hit songwriters and top artists from Nashville. The concert will be held at Austin Peay State University’s nationally acclaimed George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall. It will be a night sure to be filled with healing as well as inspiration for all. Tickets are $5 at the door and a love offering will be collected to fund the counseling work of SAFE.

Singing Their Stories is sponsored by Shofner Vision Center, Austin Peay State University, Tennessee United Methodist Church Camp and Retreat Ministries, The Beat of Life, and SAFE.

SAFE is a resource for the region to ease the readjustment and reintegration of military members returning from our current wars and their families, as well as veterans from previous eras. The counselors and staff of Soldiers And Families Embraced are made up of veterans, family members of veterans or active duty military, or have extensive experience working with them. All services are confidential and provided free of charge.

The Beat of Life was also founded on the belief that we live in a city of tremendous heart, where members particularly of our music community are eager to give of their time, skills, talents, and passions, but that there was a need for a one stop shop, a central clearinghouse of sorts, to bring together what we have with what is needed in this city.

 
For Interviews:

Rev. Jodi McCullah (SAFE) 615-347-9071
Jeni Dominelli (The Beat of Life) 615-957-6324


Songwriter List:

David Bradley, Bob Regan, Tim Gaetano, Doug Drake, Lisa Malone, Stephen Cochran,  Jason Jones, Keni Thomas, Jeremy Bussey, Michael Peterson, Tim Maggart, Eric Lee Beddingfield

Album Production: Curt Ryle will be producing the album of the songs created by the heroes and songwriters

The Song Team: Jeff Jacob & Sheree Austin

Photo Credits: Fort Campbell, Commissioner Many-Bear Grinder, Cedar Crest Camp, and The Beat of Life

Iraqi Freedom Veteran turned Social Worker Debunks Study that Debunked Combat-Suicide Link

Guest Post By Don McCasland

As a 3-Tour 101^st Airborne Division Iraqi Freedom Veteran and current Director of Programs at Soldiers And Families Embraced (SAFE) in Clarksville,Tennessee. I read the article titled “Combat-Suicide Link Debunked” (August 11, 2013) with a mixture of shock, horror, frustration, and anger. This article, as well as the military PTSD study published in the JAMA cited failed to address PTSD in a meaningful way.

We should take note that the study was commissioned and financed by the Department of Defense, and conducted by active duty and civilian researchers and psychiatrists. Not exactly an impartial, third-party group. The DOD researchers have a vested interest in disputing PTSD claims. What did the study indicate? In summation, it states that the multiple deployments, the military’s handling of the aftermath of year after year of deployments as well as related stressors, and a lack of proper mental healthcare do not contribute to increased suicide rates. 

Another issue with this flawed “comprehensive study” is the data referenced is now outdated. According to the article, “…people from all branches took part, including active-duty service members, reservists and retirees, and they were followed from 2001 to 2008…”. Researchers used data from 2001-2008 to address military suicide rates in 2013. The Department of Defense is touting this study as definitive proof that they have been right about the issues of suicide all along by using a study that draws from surveys and numbers that are five to six years old? I can assure you, even an new undergraduate student at APSU writing a research paper knows better than to use data over five years old when there is more recent information available.

As I continued to read in dismay at the study's findings, the author stated, “At the same time, there was an increase in the number of people with mental illness in the military. The reason for that is unclear." The lack of clarity is not a mystery to any who have served in combat. There is a direct link to life stressors and mental health. Being in the military in a war zone is a major life stressor that will affect your mental health. 

In a study published by the US Army in 2010 called “Army Health Promotion, Risk Reduction, Suicide Prevention Report 2010” GEN Peter Chiarelli, the Army Vice Chief of Staff from 2008-2012, stated in the introduction that in 2009 “…we had 160 active duty suicide deaths, with 239 across the total Army (including Reserve Component). Additionally, there were 146 active duty deaths related to high risk behavior including 74 drug overdoses. This is tragic!”

 He goes on to say “…Some form of high risk behavior (self-harm, illicit drug use, binge drinking, criminal activity, etc.) was a factor in most of these deaths. When we examined the circumstances behind these deaths, we discovered a direct link to increased life stressors and increased risk behavior. For some, the rigors of service, repeated deployments, injuries, and separations from Family resulted in a sense of isolation, hopelessness and life fatigue.”

This same 2010 report clearly states- “…While 80,403 entry-level waivers occurred from FY 2004 – FY 2009, the number of entry-level separations decreased dramatically. This, in essence, created a net gain of approximately 10,000 Soldiers who might not have been eligible for entry into the Army before 2004. Of the 80,403 waivers granted, 47,478 were granted to individuals with a history of drug, alcohol, misdemeanor crimes, or serious criminal misconduct”

Interesting to note, these are figures are from the same time period that the “new comprehensive study” was conducted. And yet the authors of the study claim they were "unclear" as to the increase in mental health issues in the military.
  
In 2008, a RAND study stated that “…Of those who have a mental disorder and also sought medical care for that problem, just over half received minimally adequate treatment.”  Currently, there is an abundance of evidence that shows us that when people can not seek treatment for whatever reason, the first reaction from many is to “self medicate” by using drugs or alcohol to lessen the pain or to help them forget in a desperate attempt to cope with traumatic life events and stressors. Many active duty and veterans struggle with this constantly.

Members of our military are lost everyday to bombs and bullets in war zones. Those who survived the war come back to the "safety" of home but continue to fight internal life and death battles every day. In 2013, we have lost almost one veteran every hour to those battles...23 per day. Verterans who survived war are being lost to mental and psychological battles. They are seeking (and not finding) inner-peace, their souls, and the desperate need to feel whole again. These mental battles are the results of combat trauma and experiences that are the related to serving our country. Even after returning home, they have not "come home". Many who have served are admitting after returning home, their communities can seem like war zones and with "combatants" everywhere.

This study is presented as the “end all, be all” with no regards to the reasons for the ever increasing military-wide suicide rates. I am taken aback at the irresponsibility and insensitivity of the headline stating that the combat-suicide rate connection has been once and for all debunked. 

I served with the 101^st for 7 years before my retirement after multiple deployments. I personally know three individuals I served with who committed suicide. Now, in my role as a Social Worker, I see many clients and their family members who are on the brink of committing suicide or have actually done so. 

At a time when suicides are taking a toll on the 101st Airborne, what glaring headlines do we read from the Leaf Chronicle? "Combat -Suicide Link Debunked". Yes, a base that is struggling with the aftermath of being at war for two decades is told that combat trauma is not the cause of the suicides.The Leaf-Chronicle's article told those of us that have served our country that we are dealing with personality failings, addictions, and the inability to maintain a healthy relationships.

Shame. Shame on the military for attempting to shift the blame to people who served honorably and bravely. Shame on the Leaf-Chronicle for failing to dig deeper and ask the most basic of questions prior to publishing this article. Shame.

Photos: Don McCasland (used with permission)

Sources sited for this article: Army Research Laboratories (ARL), the Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (CHPPM), National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), the RAND Corporation and the Veterans Administration.