A Veteran of the Iraq War Talks About his PTSD

One of our veterans posts a must-read at Daily Kos:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/11/23/95414/024

He discusses his sufferings from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) since coming back from Iraq several months ago. It's definitely a must-read.

..and a reminder that we can't begin to understand what it's like. But this angry soldier paints a picture full of angry misconceptions - misconceptions that are understandable but still inaccurate in my opinion. On his drive back to his neighborhood, he immediately saw the peace signs displayed in neighbors yards as a threat to him, as if a general plea to end the war invalidated his sacrifice and horror. I have a peace sign in my heart and I'm very compassionate and understanding to the few vets of this war I know.

To those in the peace movement, this soldier's post is a powerful reminder about the importance of being careful with our words and affections. We're confronted with the paradox of working to end a war we believe is a mistake and extremely harmful to our security without further hurting its participants. These young men and women have to come home (if they're lucky) and live with their horrible experiences. We need to learn to help them back without damaging them further. We have to separate the Bush administration's policies from the Americans who joined the armed forces fully believing they were defending their country.

:kick: