The Killing of Jamie Dean

[03Fox2/1]

Just as our government has recently been taken to task over how our wounded are treated at military hospitals, here is another example of a broken system, after the fact. Many of our combat veterans suffer from the mental maladies associated with the stress of war in Iraq and Afghanistan and many of our veterans are falling between the cracks created by those in official position to know better. These cracks have been intentionally created by an all too quick dismissal of our veterans needs and a tendency by those in charge to sweep under the rug problems deemed unworthy or embarrassing or too costly to the Veterans Administration. The legitimacy of these problems, such as this sad one with Jamie Dean, is indisputable. The lack of regard for the mental and physical health or the long term quality of life for these veterans points out how expendable they are regarded by the very people who are charged with the care and treatment of them. Just as many veterans suffer in silence now, as I did after my service in VietNam many years ago, I believe it is up to those of us from previous wars to speak up for them now and to be their advocate when others refuse them the dignity and assistance so dearly needed and earned at such great personal cost. Just as my British friends have pointed out the disgraceful treatment of their brave wounded by a government that sends men off to war but refuses them recognition and care on their return, I believe it is sites and forums such as this one provided by Bombardier, that give us all a platform to expose the many mistruths and the gross mistreatment of our veterans by our indifferent governments. It is we, the people, that should determine the behavior of our nation and it is we, the people, that must be the conscience of our nation when our government forgets who it represents.
Semper Fi

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/09/05/james_dean/

[Bombardier]

I have just read the link you provided about Jamie Dean and I am appauled that lack of communication lead to the death of a man who had served his country well and was already suffering the consequences of the sacrifices he made.

it is a sad loss to your country and lessons will hopefully be learned from this tragedy.

R.I.P jamie, you will not be forgotten sal;

[PanzerBob]

Damn and RIP Sgt Dean, that man was done such a disservice. So are we going to shoot all those who come back and don't fit the mold?? It seems we are learning nothing or not wanting to learn about these injuries.

Again Damn, that could have been me at one point not to long ago!

sal;sal;Sgt Dean sal;sal;

[03Fox2/1]

Thank you both for your comments. I knew you would understand.
PanzerBob, my point exactly. There, but for the grace of God, go you and I and many more. We need to continue to speak up for these brave lads and I for one hope many people read these words on this forum and take to heart these brave men and women who are fighting for our nations foreign policy. If not we, on their behalf, then who will step up ?
Semper Fi

[PanzerBob]

I still have contact with a lot military members because of my job, and when given the chance I make sure any who will listen know what the mental health issues are and how they are being handled.

My hope is even if only a few take what I say to heart, then the troops under them if they need assistance for mental health problems they will get the help before they go off the deep end, when it's easier to treat them. It seems they always wait until things get hairy. Too many who have been though the "cure" will not talk about it, so nobody understands it. Some people say to clam up, that's what true vets do, I say BS. If people don't know how are the proper resources going to put towards it.

So many trained personnel are cut out to dry because the system ignores the problem until it's to late....... This something I always point out, better to lose a solider for a short time to make him or her good to go, than losing that highly trained hard to replace soldier permanently. Hell, if a soldier breaks bones or is shot, they are given time to mend, same thing to me, but some just don't get it.

Interestingly enough I've run into naysayer from years ago who ended up on my side of the fence, so never say never, you don't know how you will react to things not in your normal experience. No matter how tough you think you are.

Most civvies just switch off when you try to educate them, or just recoil in fear. But as the Bomber mentioned the stats should at least be put forth to the public not just published but pushed as an issue.

sal; Bob