This is perhaps the best writing and analysis I have seen on the issues of readjustment after combat, PTSD and political activism. Boudreau (former Marine captain, OIF veteran) is obviously a very insightful and thoughtful man and I told him so through his web site (link follows essay). Please pass this along, as you think proper.
--Dave Collins
From the page:Iraq war combat veteran US Marine Dave McBee holds his two-year-old son Aiden McBee. Tyler E. Boudreau writes: 'combat stress is, in its own way, a political statement. It is a silent judgment of war (and of society), and that is why the understanding and treatment of it remain perpetually stifled.'"
This is a 'must read' for those who are interested in the nature of our combat veterans' issues upon returning home.
It always amazed me when I encountered people like this when I was in the Air Force. Sgt. Frank Gomes comes to mind. I remember sitting in the back of the flight line crew van at 2 a.m. having wide-ranging discussions on politics, culture and philosophy as the other guys looked on in bewilderment. Just like then, I once again have experienced an 'eye-opening.'
I remember my childhood friend telling about nights when he would be awakened by his WWII D-Day veteran dad's screams in the middle of the night as he relived his experience through nightmares. Only until years later did it occur to me why he might have had the garage closet stocked full of Jax beer. He was an honorable, stoic man who I only saw lose his temper once. It never, ever occurred to us to dilly-dally around if he told us to do something.
This is a response I gave to the flickr.com comments from a picture posted by clfhcks
What's interesting is how the commentaries jump to conclusions about what he meant by 'BULL SHIT.'
From the page: "You guys fighting like a bunch of middle-school girls over a guy with your ad hominem diatribes, with the exception of wquatman. Not one of these comments are asking what these guys mean by their flag.
Folks, regardless of what that answer is, we need to pull together to support them not only while they are in harm's way, but when they return. Driving around with a yellow ribbon and attempting to slap down anyone who disagrees with your worldview does not serve our brave men and women in the least.
These guys are hurting. For every dead soldier there are 10 like this one who have returned with obvious wounds like this or not so obvious wounds. Stop this senseless bickering and give your support where it's needed as in veteran's benefits or just someone for these guys to talk to.
From the page: "Neither of the candidates have shown real support for soldiers and veterans. We came here to try and get serious questions answered, questions that we as veterans of the Iraq war, have a right to ask, but instead we were arrested. We will continue to ask these questions no matter who is elected. We believe that the time has come to end this war and bring our troops home, and we will be pushing for that no matter what happens in this election." said Jason Lemieux, a former Sergeant in the US Marine Corps and member of IVAW who served three tours in Iraq." Dear friends and supporters,
Yesterday Veterans For Peace Long Island was privileged to march in solidarity with the Iraq Veterans Against the War to the front gates of Hofstra University. As I am sure you are aware, the peaceful march to express concerns to the Presidential candidates was meet with unprovoked violence and brutality by the Nassau County Police. Following a mounted police assault in which we all peaceably moved back from the front gate of Hofstra, the Police abusively sought out and arrested members of IVAW. Three veterans were injured in the assault and taken to local hospitals. In all fifteen demonstrators were arrested, twelve of them Iraq War veterans.
The Hempstead 15 will be arraigned on November 10 and VFPLI will be there to stand in solidarity with those who continue to sacrifice so much for our country. Please remember them and join us to support our courageous brothers and sisters and to demonstrate to our representatives that such police brutality will not be tolerated on Long Island.
Peace and justice for the Hempstead 15.
The following photos are of Nick Morgan, IVAW member, after the above described police assault targeting Iraq veterans exercising their rights to freedom of speech and assembly. His injury is a result of being trampled by one of the police horses. He suffered a broken cheekbone.
The photos were taken by Vietnam Veterans Against the War member Bill Perry.
You can see more on the IVAW site and watch the full coverage on Democracy Now. Here is an update on the Hempstead 15 from Kris Goldsmith of IVAW, one of the veterans arrested at Hofstra.
On Wednesday, October 15th 2008, a peaceful protest outside the third Presidential Debate at Hofstra University on Long Island was met with violence and misconduct by police.Iraq Veterans Against the War had a clear mission that night: to ensure that the issues most important to Veterans would be at the forefront of the debate. With over 4,183 service members having been killed in Iraq (at the time of the protest), it's unforgivable that the candidates have been allowing the Occupation of Iraq and it's casualties to fall into avoidable talking points instead of focused attention.At 7:00pm the night of the debate, IVAW members led a contingent of a few hundred peaceful protesters to the main gate of Hofstra University. As per our letter to Moderator Bob Scheiffer, because we hadn't received notice that two of our Veterans would be allowed to enter the debate to address the candidates, a small, uniformed contingent of Veterans physically attempted entry.Immediately police began arresting those who "crossed the line". They then began using horses to physically knock protesters back away from the Hofstra gates.As the order to get back on the sidewalk was being complied to at least one officer charged his horse up the curb, and onto the sidewalk- directly resulting in at least three injuries- including two Iraq Veterans.Nick Morgan, a former Army Sergeant was trampled, knocked out, and had his face crushed by the hoof of a horse.Witnesses say that police left him unconscious on the sidewalk for up to ten minutes before arresting him. Nick, disoriented and obviously suffering a concussion, was initially refused medical treatment beyond a simple piece of gauze taped to his face.When Morgan was escorted onto the bus in handcuffs, he didn't know where he was, or why he was arrested. Police initially refused to bring him to the hospital irregardless of his potentially life threatening condition. It wasn't until other members of IVAW demanded he be allowed to see a doctor, that the police hesitantly put Nick into an ambulance.At the hospital Morgan received stitches, and it was discovered after an x-ray that his right cheek bone was clearly displaced and pushed back into his skull.After treatment, the semi-conscious Veteran was brought to Nassau County's Headquarters Jail and shackled to a bench with the rest of us. With fifteen in total sitting in the jail, the officers and detectives began taunting and harassing Nick, with all of us witnessing this misconduct by police.We, the "Hempstead 15" were issued the same summons and case number for "disorderly conduct" and "failure to obey a lawful order".On November 10th 2008, the Marine Corps Birthday, and one day before Veterans Day, we will be heard in court. We would like to invite you to come out in support of the very Freedoms granted by the United States Constitution that we swore to uphold and defend when joining the military.First District Court, County of Nassau, Arraignment Part, 99 Main Street, Hempstead New York 11550 (Room 268)I hope to see you all there, for a Peaceful action.
-Sergeant Kristofer Goldsmith Iraq Veterans Against the War "1 of the Hempstead 15"
For those who would like to support the Hempstead 15, here are some suggestions from IVAW
So what can YOU do about it? My fellow veteran brothers need you. We need to call the NY police department and ask them why they would trample IRAQ WAR VETERANS exercising their FREEDOM SPEECH in a peaceful manner. Is this the way members of the military who don the uniform and make an oath to defend the constitution, America, and it's people are treated? We MUST NOT ONLY hold the Police Department accountable but the Presidential Candidates as well for allowing this to happen. THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY, THIS IS A POLICE STATE.
Below are the numbers. Call now and anytime until November 10th when the court date is set for the detained veterans. Stay posted for a possible action then.
LAWRENCE MULVEY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Public Information Office 516-573-7135 516-573-7138 (24 hour) 516-573-7118 FAX And the complaint line Call 516-573-7000 and ask to be connected to the Desk Officer where the incident occurred (Hofstra University). NC Police Internal Affairs Unit: 516-573-7120 NC District Attorney’s Office, Special Investigations : 516-571-2100 NYS Attorney General, Civil Rights Division: 1-800-771-7755
Thank you for your continued support,
Wendy Barranco President IVAW - Los Angeles Combat Medic SPC, USA OIF 05-07 Tikrit, Iraq
Here are the names of those veterans arrested at Hofstra.
A total of ten veterans were arrested during the action, including Matthis Chiroux (Army Sergeant), Kristofer Goldsmith (Army Sergeant), Adam Kokesh (Marine Sergeant), Mike Spinato, Geoff Millard (Army Sergeant), Marlisa Grogan (Marine Captain), Nathan Peld (Navy, 1998-2004), Nick Morgan (Army Sergeant), James Gilligan (Marine Corps, 6 years) and Jose Vasquez (Army & Army Reserves, 1992-2007).
We believe the war in Iraq was wrong from the beginning because it is the wrong way to fight extreme ideology, which is never destroyed by missiles, planes, artillery, and tanks. We believe in resistance to terror and resistance to those who threaten the "blessings of Liberty", but refuse to give up our Liberties in the process. We do not believe the Iraqi war was necessary to secure our liberty but rather that our security resides in the strength of our Constitutional ideals and our willingness to preserve them. Being an American patriot has always involved the pledge of "...our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor..." but it does not include the sacrifice of our blood on the altar of war profiteering and greed!
