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Putting PTSD and Military Suicides in Perspective

By John Ketwig

Back in 2003 when America first invaded Iraq, those "Support Our Troops" magnetic stickers shaped like yellow ribbons were all the rage. This time would be different, the pro-war crowd beamed. This time wouldn't be like the Vietnam fiasco. This time the American people would let our military know that we, uhh, well, we support them. We didn't so much know what that meant as we recognized what it didn't. According to the myth, the American people had failed to support the troops returning from Vietnam. In fact, some Americans had reportedly even spit upon returning soldiers! The primary source of these stories was, surprisingly, the military itself!

Soon after the first GIs began to return from The Nam, American popular culture began to become aware of Vietnam Syndrome, a mysterious malady that supposedly infected Vietnam veterans. The symptoms included anger, bitterness, violence, withdrawal, depression and a universal reluctance to talk about their (our) wartime experiences. Not long after the first GIs began to return from Operation Desert Storm in the early 90s, we began to hear about Gulf War Syndrome with similar symptoms. When George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq came in 2003 there were a few weeks of patriotic pro-war hysteria, but all too soon the casualties began to return home and Gulf War Syndrome began to be a factor once again. This was a time when those yellow ribbon "Support Our Troops" magnets were everywhere.

Sadly, as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have dragged on, the incidence of PTSD and suicide within our military and after the troops' return, has become a very serious concern. These are our children, loved ones and neighbors. The American people are terribly concerned. What has gone wrong?

In today's business environment, there is a huge emphasis upon exceeding (the customer's) expectations. Perhaps the flurry of pseudo-patriotism we witnessed in 2003 has given our troops an unrealistic expectation of what the war will do to their psyches. If there were no parades after Vietnam, this time will be different! They survive the war and return home feeling confident that they will not be subject to an adverse public opinion. Of course, back in the 70s the vast majority of public opinion was very favorable toward Vietnam vets and had little to do with our generation's problems. Public support can not and does not offset the trauma and horror of war, and today's GIs are exposed to traumas and horrors equal or greater than anything the Vietnam vets experienced. The Pentagon has developed far worse and effective weapons and the enemy has too. In our day, the President and Vice President of the United States would never have supported the use of torture.

In the current American atmosphere of far-right pro-war fervor and phony, deadly patriotism, a depressed, damaged veteran does not exemplify the Be All You Can Be/Army Of One mold. Young Americans, returning from the horrors, are finding an environment far different from their expectations. They are alone, frustrated and angry. Hurting. There are few jobs, limited opportunities and their country is divided and hostile. Far from exceeding their expectations, we have created an unfriendly, hard and harsh economic, political and social environment. Today we have the Tea Bag movement idolizing Sarah Palin, waving their flags and espousing a philosophy that what's theirs is theirs and they will resist any attempt to create sharing, assistance or dialogue with those less wealthy. Returning vets hear, "This is not your daddy's America," loud and clear, and they are especially hurt by the realization that the America they were defending no longer exists. As are we all. America has not supported them, despite the yellow magnets still adhering to the rear of SUVs. There is precious little support available to the disadvantaged in today's America. An Iraq war veteran, just like a Vietnam veteran, has been used until his or her usefulness is gone, then discarded by an uncaring military machine. They are alone with their memories and nightmares. Few recognize the truth of the problem, and fewer try to help. Among those that do, clearly Iraq Veterans Against the War and Vietnam Veterans Against the War are at the leading edge. It's not about patriotism, it's about humanity and respect and if those qualities no longer drive our country's politics they are at the very heart of one combat veteran's respect and caring for another.

Perhaps one day America's militarism will collapse. A financially and morally bankrupt nation will tire of the expense and the pathetic lack of real results from our country's adventuring. Perhaps one day we will not send recruiters into high schools to entice another generation of naive young people to suffer and bleed for the good of our military-industrial profiteers. Perhaps one day our government will admit that the Dioxin in Agent Orange is as toxic as the Dioxin in Times Beach, Missouri and the radioactivity in depleted uranium is as toxic as the fallout that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Until those days, our veterans will continue to bear the brunt of America's militarism and empire-building. As veterans, we can offset a great deal of the rhetoric and baloney by simply holding out a hand to today's returning vets. It is what they expect, and it is the foundation upon which VVAW has been built.

John Ketwig is an author, Vietnam Vet and member of VVAW.