This Memorial Day, honor those who have fallen in service to the nation. They have given the last full measure and they surely deserve our respect and gratitude. But take just a minute to honor those who fought in our wars and lived. For many, their battles are far from over.
There is much anguish at the plight of returning vets and their families, but as we enter the Memorial Day weekend, every vet and civilian in the country can take hope and inspiration from an amazing documentary released last year.
We should use this Memorial Day as an opportunity to remember the sacrifices that American soldiers of all social and political stripes have made in defense of our country.
There has never been an investigation, ceremonial firings, media outrage, or congressional hearings as to "why" the nation has failed again to meet the mental health needs of the warrior class.
When you look at what the men and women in our military have endured and volunteered to take on (much of we civilians will never know and understand) it really comes as no surprise as to why they are exactly the kind of employees organizations should be fighting over.
Although two of the greatest attributes of our country might be our competitive spirit and our defense of our values and freedoms, one can't help but wonder at what price. Brains are the tie that binds us, but are we really coming undone? Think about it.
Perhaps, like his stance on gay marriage, President Obama's stance on soldier suicides can "evolve" into the only humane and thoughtful position -- that of sending condolences to the families of all troops who commit suicide.
In Rwanda, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is nothing short of a national epidemic. The many millions of men, women and young adults who survive...
Faced with the highest army suicide rates in at least 30 years, U.S. military officials are examining ways to help treat psychologically wounded soldiers.
The question I face about our work is, "Doesn't the VA handle this?" The Department of Veterans Affairs works tirelessly to address the mental health needs of vets, but the reality is that it can't provide care to all those who have served.
Wounded Warrior had asked some of us to come to Landstuhl to meet with the medical staff there. Some 3,000 strong, military and civilian, they work ceaselessly in what has become one of the busiest trauma centers in the world.
New research suggests that inducing fear of death at least makes atheists a little less entrenched in their beliefs.
Having seen the profound impact these dogs make on the lives of men and women who have sacrificed so much for their country, I can tell you that it's all worth it -- and then some. And, by the way, the dogs love it too.
Surely we can all agree that our veterans gave us their best, and in return, they deserve the best from each of us. But what can each of us do, as family, friends and concerned citizens to help ease the burden of our returning servicemen and women?
Donna Bachler's brother was a veteran who struggled with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). "Darrin took his own life rather than struggle...
Worldwide, the question of how we care for each other, how a society sustains itself, is being examined. But nowhere is this abandonment being more acutely felt than among returning veterans and their families.
