It’s been nine years since former President George W. Bush declared war on terrorists and sent thousands of young men and women to the Middle East to fight what has been called by many “an unwinnable war.” These soldiers have been sent mainly to Afghanistan and Iraq but, unless you’ve been living under a rock for nearly a decade, you already knew that.
What many people don’t know is the alarming number of veterans who have returned to the United States after a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan and have been permanently altered by the experience both physically and psychologically. Even more alarming is the lack of support these veterans and their families receive when they come home.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, offers compensation for those who return from Iraq or Afghanistan and have either been injured in active duty or have had a health condition worsen while on a tour in one of these countries. While the program does offer disabled veterans compensation, it is hard to imagine the funds allowed would cover mortgage or rent, bills, food and basic living expenses, not to mention the medical bills and medications these injured soldiers would need.
On average, the monthly compensation for a parent of three children that has been injured in active duty is $641. This amount is not nearly enough to sustain a household when the main breadwinner is out of work due to serious injury. The Veterans Outreach Improvement Act is currently working its way through Congress for the second time. However, after being vetoed by the president once already as the bill demands an increase in the VA’s budget, there is little hope for this bill to make it into fruition.
It’s hard to believe these injured heroes are neglected. Most are no older than we are, and they put themselves into dangerous situations so that we can walk around campus without worrying whether or not a car bomb is going to blow us into oblivion. Personally, I cannot imagine having the courage to go into a country so different it may as well be a different planet. These men and women put their lives on the line only to return to little financial support if they sustain injuries.
Physical disabilities are not the only problems plaguing returning soldiers. A common problem veterans of the war on terror are experiencing is post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. PTSD is characterized by feelings of intense fear and sometimes even rage. People who suffer with PTSD often experience violent flashbacks which can be hazardous, as well as terrifying, for themselves and those around them. PTSD can lay dormant for years after the trauma occurs, so even if returning soldiers don’t experience symptoms right away they may suffer later. PTSD can lead to addiction in an effort to numb out to the pain of the situation, and even suicide. The VA boasts support groups for soldiers suffering with the disorder, but the problem requires much more than simple group meetings.
Mental disorders such as PTSD require extensive psychiatric help. This is not necessarily a trip to the psych ward of the local hospital, but sessions with both a therapist to talk through traumatic events, and a psychiatrist to administer and monitor medication. Although the VA offers substantial health insurance, it is difficult to find therapists and psychiatrists that specialize in PTSD and are covered by health insurance so that they only have to take care of a small co-pay fee.
When I picked up a friend from Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport, I saw a large number of both soldiers leaving for Iraq or Afghanistan and returning from a tour in one of these countries. There were tearful goodbyes as well as tearful greetings; however there was a large difference between those setting out to serve their country and those returning.
The soldiers preparing to board a plane to the Middle East looked eager and anxious. They were a little reserved and frightened of course but otherwise calm. The soldiers returning, on the other hand, had a totally different body language. They were stiff and jumpy, almost as if they had returned physically but not mentally. The soldiers I saw returning were probably no more than two or three years older than me, and some even looked younger. It was heartbreaking to think that these young men and women will not have proper care for their altered mental state, and it motivated me to do something about it.
While our veterans are somewhat taken care of, their transition from a war zone back into American society should be made as easy as possible for them. All over the country, veterans of the war on terror along with their loved ones are fighting to get the government on board with increasing their benefits, especially for those who have been mentally and physically injured.
Just as they have fulfilled their duty of protecting America, it is time for us to hold up our end by protecting and helping them. The bill that is fighting for improvement in veterans’ benefits needs support from people like us. How can we support the bill? It’s as easy as sending an e-mail. Go to Congress.org, enter H.R.32 into the search box and enter the Starkville ZIP code (39759) to send a message directly to our representative regarding the treatment of our veterans. These are our neighbors, friends and family members that put their lives in danger for us. Shouldn’t we thank them by supporting any effort to improve their lives?
Nora Donnelly is a sophomore majoring in communication. She can be contacted at [email protected].