My Son Is Why We Fight So Hard

There are times when words almost fail. This is one of those times.

I wanted to take this opportunity to say how much Barack Obama's campaign has meant to me, and how much it's changed my outlook and my life.

I came to this campaign in late August, not knowing what to expect. I had never done anything like this, but I knew that it was time to get off the couch and do something to change my corner. (so to speak) You see, it was my chance to do something to help my son.

James has PTSD. For those who don't know what that is, it's called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and it came directly from Iraq. Fallujah, to be exact. James fought proudly there for sixteen months. He did so without reservation because he wanted to serve his country. It's all he ever wanted to do. I signed the papers for him to be able to accomplish his goal before he ever left high school. I now wish I hadn't done so, but our country called him and I knew that I couldn't stand in the way of that. He was raised to respect his country and his flag, and he fought courageously for America, and he had friends who died for it. He lost his best friend on that battlefield, and the experience profoundly changed and marred his young life.

Our nations military not only sent James to Iraq, but the army sent his family to war with him. We were beside him in spirit, and we counted the days until he got home. There were times when we wondered if the day would ever come that he would come home to us, and when it finally did come, we were ecstatic. Little did we know that when they sent our son home, he would only be a shell of his former self. The light in his eyes was gone, and I know that as much as we love him, and as much as we try to understand, we're never going to see our James again. The innocent young man who went off to war is gone, and he is never coming back.

To add insult to injury, when he was discharged fron the army, he found it difficult, if not impossible to get medical attention. He was told that PTSD didn't exist and if it did, he wasn't eligible under the GI Bill to receive mental health attention. He and his family were dropped from military insurance and basically told to fend for themselves. He was treated badly by the US Army, and was told to stop being weak. A few days rest would be all he needed to get through this, and the readjustment would be short. It's two years after he returned home and we are still battling the affects of an unjust war.

I felt as though my country was calling me during this election, and I had no choice but to answer. I had to do something to make sure this never happens to another family. I wanted to try to make sure that no other mom has to sit and wait and wonder and worry, and then wait and wonder and worry all over again when that soldier finally returned home. We've been dealing with this war and it's after effects for almost 8 years now. I believe that the government has an obligation to make sure their military is taken care of and that there is support out there for them and for their families, and that our soldiers get the health care they so deserve.

We were proud that James served his country even if we disagreed with the war, (and believe me, we do disagree with it.) but we believe that when a soldier serves, they should be treated with respect and dignity. It won't happen with John McCain, and all I can say to that is it's a crying shame that a maverick and a war hero could turn his back on his own.

I got involved because I am one voice, and if you add my one voice to the thousands of other voices who are involved in Barack Obama's campaign, then add those voices to the millions of American voices who are hoping and praying and believing that we can change things, you have a universe of people who are coming together in this country. Unity and hope, that's what Barack Obama stands for, and for me and my son James, we are counting on both.
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Comments

[faith]

Ms. McCoy, I am very proud of you for writing this article. It is a very difficult thing to do because it is taking on the military system as well as the White House administration. Every time I think of that heinous Dick Cheney's response regarding our wounded troops, "..they volunteered", I think of what a despicable group of leaders this nation has experienced during the past eight years.
Every time I think of our troops Moms sending soldiers decent Kevlar vests for basic protection in Iraq/Afghanistan; troops putting pieces of plywood alongside their vehicles for protection, when V-shaped vehicles could have been purchased from S.Africa that would have protected our troops, I think of the billions squandered by our government lining the pockets of the energy companies.
The billions that will be necessary to rehabilitate America's children who now have PTSD, or have lost multiple limbs because of Mr Bush, Mr. Cheney, Ms. Rice I become truly sick at heart. I truly hope that civil actions against these persons are filed in spite of the governmental immunities granted under the Constitution. I encourage everyone to write Speaker Pelosi/ Senate Leader Reid and demand that complaints and actions be filed.

[ckt]

Teresa, my eyes filled with tears as I read your article. When the republicans were going on about Obama not wearing a flag pin on his lapel, my response was that there is more to supporting our troops than pinning a flag on a lapel and smacking a sticker on the car. Obama has shown himself to be a true supporter of our veterans by sitting down with military personnel and finding out what their concerns really are and then putting it into his senatorial vote. It's inconceivable to me that McCain can and has turned his back on veterans. He has refused pay increases, funding for proper weaponry and protective gear, improvements in veteran's health care, educational assistance for veterans. He can wear all of the red-white-and-blue that he wants to, but that doesn't make him a patriot. He is in a position where he can help and he has consistently refused. Maybe someday he will come face to face with who he really is. Meanwhile, my heart aches for you, your family, and most of all your son. I pray that there are brighter days ahead for all of you and all of the returning military. They lay their lives on the line for our freedom, the least we can do is return them to a better world.

[WhatsLeft]

We who do not support the war are accused of not supporting the troops. As if they are one and the same. Here is your story, about your son, your child who is changed forever and left to fend for himself. Sadly, your story is not unique. My heart goes out to you, Teresa. God bless you and your family. I would wish you strength and courage but it seems you have found both.

[USMC9298]

This hits home. Make sure you go to the VFW or American Legion, and get in touch with one of their advocates for Veterans. They are very good at navigating the administrative hell that is the VA. You would think the VA is there to help vets, but often they want things signed to prevent future care, or potential disability claims. Your son is most likely eligible for aid however I do know for a fact that the Psychiatric Services available are severely undermanned and underfunded. Something we can look forward to getting worse if McCain is elected.

I am currently dealing with one of my uncles who is a rabid Republican, who can't believe that a POW Vet would be anti-vets. I have told him his belief has nothing to do with it when the facts scream out the damning truth. I will be sending him this story of course since it on a "liberal media website" he will probably claim it is fabricated. Thanks for sharing and hopefully tomorrow will bring us a change that will kick out the stark raving mediocrity that Americans have grown to accept in government.

[pshelleyg]

My father was veteran of Iwo Jima. I know he wasn't the same man after the war, always remote and hard to know. My mother fell in love with him before the war, and I always felt she longed for the man she knew before he left. He died last year, and I too wish I could have really known him. over the years, because of his sacrifice, I came to see him as a hero. So on the eve of this historic election, let's be clear that John McCain, even though he always talks about what a friend he is to his fellow veterans, has an abysmal voting record on Veteran's affairs

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/9559

[mrboyd]

My heart and prayers go to you and your family as well as James. I am glad that you wrote this heartfelt blog because it does need to be heard. I am currently reading Michael Moore's book, "Will They Ever Trust Us Again?" and it is about the men and women sending letters to him about their viewpoints on this war. It is sad and heart-wrenching, just like your son's story.

Having met you, I will say that you are an inspiration! Thank you for continuing to write and I will be looking for you in town!

Peace!

[Teland]

I would first like to say that my heart and my prayers go out to you and your family. As the child and grandchild of veterans, their treatment in this country is very important to me, and very little has shamed me as an American as much as the pathetic -- *criminal* -- state of Veteran's Affairs. I was saddened but not shocked to read of your son's difficulty in receiving the care he needs and deserves, and that's only one of the reasons why I, too, am supporting Obama. I believe he will finally give our bravest men and women the support they need, and -- well, now I'm going on a bit. I really just wanted to send my support. It's what made me finally get an account on this site. *rueful smile*

Be well.