As some of you might know, Sen. John Kerry began posting over at the Big Orange yesterday. Following a response of 1100+ comments, he posited a brief thank you diary today, invited us to watch him on tomorrow's This Week, and even answered a few comments.

One of the comments he carefully and thoughtfully answered in length was regarding a subject near and dear to my heart: PTSD/returning veteran care issues:

Thank you for your service to our country (4.00 / 18)

I'm worried for our returning soldiers suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder.

With our national budget in disarray, I'm worried that we're not providing the very best treatment for all of our wounded -- both those with physical and psychological scars received in battle.

I have been doing what I can from my humble position to bring more attention to this matter. Please, sir, can you speak out more on this issue?

Thank you!

His reply and PTSD Resources below the fold...

Another iconic Iraq war figure whose picture was splashed across the world's media in 2004 is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

From Editor & Publisher:

The 2004 photograph by Luis Sinco of the Los Angeles Times showing Miller, face dirty under a helmet, a cigarette dangling from his lips, went around the world and back again, hitting front pages everywhere. Now Miller, of Jonancy, Ky., is a civilian "and is having trouble adjusting to civilian life," CBS News reports.

Lance Cpl. Blake Miller's story below the fold...

[Cross-posted at Daily Kos and My Left Wing]

In November, Senate Amendment #2634 was introduced by Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA]. An amendment to the Tax Relief Act of 2005, it aimed to allocate an additional $500 million for post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and substance abuse counseling for returning Vets. The American Legion, AMVETS, and Disabled American Veterans backed it. The vets needed it.

Senate Republicans killed it.

[Sen. Boxer] closed her floor argument by quoting an e-mail from the wife of an Iraq War Veteran who committed suicide upon his return. "I got an e-mail from a woman who was married to Captain Michael Jon Pelkey, who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder for over a year. He sought help on several occasions but was discouraged by the wait time and the stigma," said Boxer.



Boxer then read directly from the e-mail which said "Michael passed away in our home at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest on November 5, 2004. I feel that my husband is a casualty of this war and to date the Army has not done enough for post-traumatic stress."

This is Stefanie Pelkey's story...

[Cross-posted at MLW and Daily Kos]

The statistics are jaw-dropping.

In October, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported:

• 119,247 Afghanistan/Iraq service members (now off-duty) are receiving health care from the V.A.
  
• 46,000 have musculoskeletal problems.
  
• 37,000 have mental disorders.
  
• 16,000 have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

These are all veterans who within the last four years were considered by the military to be mentally and physically fit enough to fight.

No longer fit enough to fight. And many no longer fit enough to enjoy life. They need our help.

This diary has 3 parts:

• A look at the research I've been doing since September, along with a little info on my ePluribus Media PTSD database collaboration.
  
• Positive steps being taken in Congress and who we might direct our energy to. Links are provided for a number of action items. I hope you'll consider rallying around some of these elected officials.
  
• A list of resources for those who need help.

Please help in whatever way you can...