Comments on: Troops suffering from PTSD won't get Purple Heart http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/06/troops-suffering-from-ptsd-wont-get-purple-heart/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: PA http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/06/troops-suffering-from-ptsd-wont-get-purple-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-512944 PA Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:59:53 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=21556#comment-512944 Every service member deployed for Active Duty should be given a Heart for bravery. Especially those who served and are now serving in the debacle of the unwarranted war initiated by Bush! I know Veterans who are suffering from PTSD and whose lives have never been the same since they returned and possibly never will be. And, aren't all who have and are now making the selfless sacrifice for our security and freedom Heroes of the same cloth? I know the Purple Heart has been a distinguished service award since before I was born but those suffering from PTSD should not be singled out or their service put under a dimmer light. They too have paid the price and are suffering the consequences and the majority are suffering in silence and alone without much assistance. It is not just or Patriotic in my opinion. I'm sure many Veterans of WWI and WWII also suffered PTSD in silence but during those eras it didn't have a Name. Every service member deployed for Active Duty should be given a Heart for bravery. Especially those who served and are now serving in the debacle of the unwarranted war initiated by Bush!

I know Veterans who are suffering from PTSD and whose lives have never been the same since they returned and possibly never will be. And, aren't all who have and are now making the selfless sacrifice for our security and freedom Heroes of the same cloth?

I know the Purple Heart has been a distinguished service award since before I was born but those suffering from PTSD should not be singled out or their service put under a dimmer light. They too have paid the price and are suffering the consequences and the majority are suffering in silence and alone without much assistance. It is not just or Patriotic in my opinion. I'm sure many Veterans of WWI and WWII also suffered PTSD in silence but during those eras it didn't have a Name.

]]> By: Tammy, Berwick. LA http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/06/troops-suffering-from-ptsd-wont-get-purple-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-512927 Tammy, Berwick. LA Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:57:07 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=21556#comment-512927 So what, losing a limb is a greater sacrifice than losing one's mental health and ability to function in daily life as the soldier did before going off to war? Sounds to me like they just don't want to acknowledge the lifetime of damage these conflicts have caused or honor those who suffered just as much (if not more) because of them. This is one more instance of the ingratitude of this nation for what our men and women in uniform and their families sacrifice every day they serve this nation asking nothing in return. You all should be so ashamed of yourselves. So what, losing a limb is a greater sacrifice than losing one's mental health and ability to function in daily life as the soldier did before going off to war? Sounds to me like they just don't want to acknowledge the lifetime of damage these conflicts have caused or honor those who suffered just as much (if not more) because of them. This is one more instance of the ingratitude of this nation for what our men and women in uniform and their families sacrifice every day they serve this nation asking nothing in return. You all should be so ashamed of yourselves.

]]> By: EJ (USA) http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/06/troops-suffering-from-ptsd-wont-get-purple-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-512749 EJ (USA) Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:19:14 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=21556#comment-512749 Well, this makes sense. Well, this makes sense.

]]> By: Jim http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/06/troops-suffering-from-ptsd-wont-get-purple-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-512710 Jim Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:12:11 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=21556#comment-512710 I have to say, I was originally on the fence with this one. I served my country, saw the injuries and deaths of my friends, compatriots. Saw things that screwed with my head. But I was able to move on, deal with it, and get the job done. I don't think about that stuff anymore, so I'm one of the lucky ones. Do I deserve a PH for that? No. But for those that still suffer, I think they do. For those that were wounded, and received a PH, they were injured, to varying degrees. Some were patched up and sent back to the field, and others were discharged, maybe to suffer for the rest of their lives. The brain is an organ, but one that can be injured both physically and psychologically. Who is to say that the psychological wound is any less painful, or detrimental to their overall wellbeing, than someone who's lost a spleen, or a limb? These people were injured in the line of duty, regardless of the duration of the injury. I think the DoD is doing them a disservice to discount that fact. That's just this grunt's opinion. I have to say, I was originally on the fence with this one. I served my country, saw the injuries and deaths of my friends, compatriots. Saw things that screwed with my head. But I was able to move on, deal with it, and get the job done. I don't think about that stuff anymore, so I'm one of the lucky ones. Do I deserve a PH for that? No. But for those that still suffer, I think they do. For those that were wounded, and received a PH, they were injured, to varying degrees. Some were patched up and sent back to the field, and others were discharged, maybe to suffer for the rest of their lives. The brain is an organ, but one that can be injured both physically and psychologically. Who is to say that the psychological wound is any less painful, or detrimental to their overall wellbeing, than someone who's lost a spleen, or a limb? These people were injured in the line of duty, regardless of the duration of the injury. I think the DoD is doing them a disservice to discount that fact. That's just this grunt's opinion.

]]> By: Cindy http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/06/troops-suffering-from-ptsd-wont-get-purple-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-512547 Cindy Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:35:15 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=21556#comment-512547 I don't see a problem with this. I mean while PTSD is serious it isn't the soldiers actually being harmed physically and needing surgery or what not to recover. Getting shot or wounded another way is something that should garner you a Purple Heart but having anxiety attacks shouldn't. Cindy...Ga. I don't see a problem with this. I mean while PTSD is serious it isn't the soldiers actually being harmed physically and needing surgery or what not to recover. Getting shot or wounded another way is something that should garner you a Purple Heart but having anxiety attacks shouldn't.

Cindy...Ga.

]]> By: Gloria Ritenour http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/06/troops-suffering-from-ptsd-wont-get-purple-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-512499 Gloria Ritenour Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:18:05 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=21556#comment-512499 Post Traumatic Brain Injury is a devastating injury to not only the soldier but to their families. I think if it is clearly diagnosed these should be considered for Purple Hearts. It is a very complex injury worthy of careful diagnosis and a reward for enduring such a lifelong traumatic injury at war. Post Traumatic Brain Injury is a devastating injury to not only the soldier but to their families. I think if it is clearly diagnosed these should be considered for Purple Hearts. It is a very complex injury worthy of careful diagnosis and a reward for enduring such a lifelong traumatic injury at war.

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