Soldier Suicides: Counting the Forgotten Casualties of War (by Logan Laituri)
After more than six years of field exercises in some of the most grueling weather our country offers, I am rarely affected by even the most chilling winter rains. Months of accumulated time in the forests of North Carolina, the deserts of California, and the wetlands of Louisiana - training for war has built up in me a bit of immunity to succumbing to the shivers. However, there is one thing that pierces my calloused exterior with ease.
Tremors begin in my chest—tiny convulsions shortening my breath. They quickly spread to my upper back and neck before spreading throughout my body. Even now as I write, my fingers pause over many keys, timing the moment they may strike with relative certainty that I will not have to delete keystrokes. My breath becomes shallow and I feel warmth leave my hands and feet.
In a tab on my browser, a Washington Post article lies hidden behind my word processing program. It is a story that hits horrifically close to home. It speaks of Army Lieutenant Elizabeth Whiteside, facing court-martial—being prosecuted for attempted suicide—while rehabilitating in the Psychiatric Ward of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The same officer had served in the prison that sent Saddam to be hanged, in the Iraqi government's illusion of redemptive violence.
Days ago, another article, from AlterNet, described a recent CBS investigation that found an alarming trend in those who have served our country. I would never have believed the finding had it not been for the devastating news Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) received last Tuesday. One of our active members had taken their own life. Their spouse, another IVAW member who suffers from PTSD, had found the body the night prior.
In 2005, an average of 17 vets committed suicide every day. No, that is not a typo: 17 every day. More alarming is the response within the Armed Forces - which is disturbingly outlined in the case of 1st Lt. Whiteside, wherein a clinical diagnosis is being utterly ignored in the interest of saving face. At the same time, many of our vets' disability claims are being verifiably reduced or denied. This treatment sends one strikingly clear message to those who have served and sacrificed: you are not worth the effort. Is it any wonder why vets of all generations are more prone to homelessness and suicide than any other demographic?
The church has historically labeled suicide an unforgivable sin, as the opportunity for repentance destroys itself with the victim's final breath. However, before labeling suicide as "the coward's way out," I think we need to look at our own corporate complicity in these deaths. In our modern era, we have not learned from the ancient orthodoxy that taught warriors to remove themselves from the community for a period of reflection and healing before reentering.
Today, a soldier can move from Kirkuk to New York in a matter of hours. What does that do to their grasp of reality? When they cry out for our holistic (not superficial) support, we fumble about, feeding them gross misinterpretations of scripture such as the Just War Theory, hoping to ease their consciences with hollow justifications. When they find no solace in that, we walk away confused about why we could not "fix their problem," casting shame upon those who can find no affirmation.
I don't think a transcendently benevolent God is that insensitive. I think God feels their pain long before anyone on earth accepts the responsibility to share in Christ's saving work, which begins even before the seed of self-hatred is sown. Surely we are not so blinded by our own plank that we fail to see that if we will not share their pain, we shall share their guilt. A suicide is anything but a personal transgression; it reflects an outright failure of community. Our heart should ache for all those who have been suffocated of hope, beaten to the point of desperation by a world that offers no source of redemptive healing for the beaten and broken.
I wonder if we get so defensive because there is no room for restitution, no scapegoat upon which to place blame. We hastily label it a personal sin, as we are made impotent by the inability to cast judgment. We forget that indeed a murder has taken place, but that the stones lay in our own two hands. It is not one stone that kills a person, but many; not one sin that destroys a life, but an accumulation. The truth leaves us naked, and fig leaves held tenuously together by half-truths and moral manipulations are all that conceal us from reality.
My fingers still quiver and the quakes in my chest have not subsided. My joints ache with grief and my hands still have no warmth in them. I am sick with disgust and contempt for the systems we have in place and their utter failure in our national time of need. This frustration is sin crouching at my door, threatening to overcome me, but I can be its master. I am not incapable of overcoming anger with compassion, defeating hubris with humility. May God have mercy on me. May I rest in peace. May God enable me to be the change I wish to see, to reach those close to death's door and be Christ's heart and hands to the least among us.
May God direct us all in being the prophetic witness to our government, to help us create means of healing for those who sacrifice their mental and physical health. May the author and protector of life give us hearts of flesh and rebuke us every time we marginalize and dehumanize our brothers and sisters by casting the stones of disregard, indifference, and neglect.
Logan Laituri is a six-year Army veteran with combatant service in Iraq during OIF II and experience with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Israel and the West Bank. He is an active member of Iraq Veterans Against the War and currently resides in Camden, New Jersey, in an intentional Christian community called Camden House, where he continues to seek ways to wage peace wherever he goes. He blogs at courageouscoward.blogspot.com.
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Comments
First off, the numbers from the CBS news story are highly suspect, to say the least. They have not been corroborated by other sources...I suggest you look up critiques elsewhere on the web (since I cannot link to them).
Secondly, I would recommend you think long and hard about this statement: "A suicide is anything but a personal transgression; it reflects an outright failure of community." as it contradicts centuries of Christian tradition which regards suicide as sinful.
I do think the author is right to focus on the contributions of society to suicides and other problems among vets. But that would also involve confronting the contempt for our troops and the lack of appreciation for their sacrifices coming from the anti-war left (Sojo included).
Posted by: jesse | December 5, 2007 11:33 AM
"feeding them gross misinterpretations of scripture such as the Just War Theory"
Interesting.
Posted by: kevin s. | December 5, 2007 12:18 PM
ds0490,
I spend half my week serving veterans, so I don't know what you're talking about. Anyways, I recommend counting to ten next time before venting your "loathing." You might have something more constructive to say then.
Posted by: jesse | December 5, 2007 12:33 PM
God bless you, man. You prayer moved me deeply. I want find a way for us as the body of Christ to reach out to these soldiers, our brothers and sisters.
Yes, I've had a turnaround the past few years, a wrenching one, as I found what I believed in was polluted with the pride of nationalism and an unexamined belief in the redemptive power of violence.
The commentator above doesn't seem to realize that a celebration of what soldiers have experienced is not the answer. These folks aren't depressed and suicidal because we are contemptuous and don't appreciate their sacrifice. That's the kind of superficial response by people who don't understand, that Logan speaks of, that will cause us to walk away confused that we couldn't "fix their problem" with a convenient misapplication of Just War Theory. They've already had any number of unhelpful doses of that from chaplains in the war zone whose sole function is to "buck them up" to keep them fit for obeying commands, not to tell them the truth.
It's not right to change the subject from the very real problem of suffering people who we need to reach out to, to help real hurting people and instead turn it around politically to start vilifying those whose role by Christ is commanded to be peacemakers and to love our enemies. That's denial of the first order.
We don't begin by trying to make false platitudes, as others on these blogs have attempted to, that killing our enemies is still showing them love. These particular veterans know better than that. We need to love them, to affirm to them God's complete forgiveness in the face of repentance, for them and for us and to offer them unconditional community.
Posted by: N.M. Rod | December 5, 2007 12:47 PM
Suicide is a failure of the mind and I do not believe that it is a first class ticket to hell like some. There are somewhere between 83 and 89 suicides a day depending on which gov't agency you look at for the information. While I do not doubt Logan's account of 17 a day. I believe that is all vets of all ages. One might be lead to believe that it was vets and service personnel that have served in the current Iraqi / Mideast war. That does not diminish the fact that we owe our Vets a lot for all they have done. They comprise the best of the best in my book. (not the college rejects of John Kerry)
You are over 5 times likely to commit suicide if you are white over other races. Over 3 times if you are male vs female.
Blessings on the families of those who made the decision to exit this life prematurely, and peace be to their memory.
Blessings -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 5, 2007 1:38 PM
Maybe Mr. Kerry discovered some truths under fire that you, safe at home, never did. After all, he served. So many of the chicken hawks have not. In any case, it's duplicitous to bring up Kerry - and perhaps you wish he had conveniently done away with himself instead of speaking up.
I don't begrudge the decisions of those who wouldn't, or did so with dishonor and had to be grounded, who are now so sure of themselves as they send others to die when they would not do so.
But is every soldier who finds himself compelled by the truth of what he faced condemned to be denounced as a traitor - and if a suicide. merely a nod towards their families and their memory, not the irreplaceable loss of that person, and ultimate cowardice? Maybe you are happier that those who have suffered such crises of confidence are more conveniently dead?
And what's with the statistics about it being white males? What does that have to do with anything? Are you trying to change the subject by feeling sorry for yourself, or hoping that will somehow in your confused view of war opponents make them not think they're important because they're mostly white males, and drop the issue?
Posted by: X. Marine | December 5, 2007 2:21 PM
"I spend half my week serving veterans, so I don't know what you're talking about. Anyways, I recommend counting to ten next time before venting your "loathing." You might have something more constructive to say then."
As I prepare to send my son off to basic training you can bet that I have something very constructive to say about the way this country has decided to treat the men and women who serve so bravely in our armed forces.
Unlike the chickenhawks of the GOP who believe that supporting the troops means buying a $3.99 car magnet.
Freedom isn't free, Jesse. It's time we get the cheap-skates out of Washington and get our service members the tools and services they need, both during and after their service.
Posted by: ds0490 | December 5, 2007 2:31 PM
If we really want to reduce the size of government and taxes, while making our nation safer and more prosperous here and avoiding constantly putting our kids in harm's way overseas, we could rethink the addiction to militarism and empire our financial and political elites have saddled us with since WWII.
The answer is not to increase what we're already doing wrong to even more unconscionable levels, as if it's some failed Soviet five year plan that supposedly needs redoubling to succeed. Increasing resources to a paradigm of failure results in even more colossal future losses.
Posted by: Joe Sixpack | December 5, 2007 2:50 PM
Posted by: X. Marine | December 5, 2007 2:21 PM
DO NOT put words in my mouth.
After all, he served.
So have many others that have respect for the military and not used them for personal gain or political target practice.
Maybe you are happier that those who have suffered such crises of confidence are more conveniently dead?
BULL! I never said that.
I believe I said that '...we owe our Vets a lot for all they have done.' so your above statement is wrong and heartless.
'...subject by feeling sorry for yourself...'
This is not about me. I was showing that suicide is a national problem. Logan's stat about 17 a day - I believe to be true but in reading the article you would be left to believe that it might be 17 Iraqi vets and I believe looking at the national stats - it would have to be all vets. We need to deal with this.
Please do not quote me when I did not say it.
Blessings -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 5, 2007 3:50 PM
We owe our veterans much, certainly more than they're being given by the VA and DOD. I can't stress this enough. Depression and attempts at suicide should be treated as sicknesses, not crimes.
That being said, the suicide rate for veterans is actually less than that for the general population, indexed for age, gender, etc. Again, that's not saying it's not a problem, but there's no epidemic.
Posted by: Eric | December 5, 2007 3:53 PM
Our hearts ache for those who take their own life, and for families left behind to cope.
Let's not get sidetracked by numbers...war and violence breed many things, and self-destruction is one of the worst. Does it matter that veteran suicides are "less than the national average"?
May God have mercy on those souls who've lost their way, and on a nation which has fallen into a militaristic pattern to sustain the military-industrial complex we were warned about many years ago. We are paying a price every day in blood for the greed a arrogance of those in power
Our nation owes much to veterans...not lip-service and plastic stickers on our cars, but real support for them when they return, and a committment that in the future, we will not rush into war for the sake of political and economic gain! We owe that to those who have dared to defend our freedom, to ensure that they go in harms' way because of real danger, not "intelligence estimates" and political rhetoric from either Left or Right.
Pray for Peace, and dare to speakout!
Posted by: Doug & Jan in CO | December 5, 2007 4:26 PM
Posted by: Eric | December 5, 2007 3:53 PM
Well stated Mr. Eric - well stated!
Blessings -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 5, 2007 4:27 PM
Hey Logan,
Appreciate your writing man. Good stuff. This subject has also been on my mind lately.
My wife says hi. Peace bro.
Posted by: Zach from Cincinnati | December 5, 2007 4:37 PM
ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE ENDURED COMBAT HAVE ANY REAL NOTION OF THE CHAOS IT IS. I HAVE NOT. I HAVE LISTENED TO MANY VETS TELLS THEIR HORRIFYING STORIES. FROM MY FATHER WHO WAS A B-17 PILOT IN WWII AND WORRIED FOR YEARS THAT SOME OF HIS BOMBS KILLED INNOCENT CIVILIANS, TO A VET IN MY CONGREGATION FROM THE 29TH DIVISION IN WWII WHO STILL CANNOT TALK ABOUT IT, TO A COLLEAGUE AT THE SCHOOL WHO IS A VIETNAM VET WHO TEARS UP WHEN HE TRIES TO TALK ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCES.
I LISTEN TO THEM, CRY WITH THEM, THANK THEM, AND PRAY WITH THEM.
Posted by: Stephen Brown | December 5, 2007 5:21 PM
Logan,
I've read a lot on suicide, grief, healing, etc, over the years. Your reflection is powerful, thought provoking and heartfelt. I was most moved by the following words:
"Surely we are not so blinded by our own plank that we fail to see that if we will not share their pain, we shall share their guilt. A suicide is anything but a personal transgression; it reflects an outright failure of community. Our heart should ache for all those who have been suffocated of hope, beaten to the point of desperation by a world that offers no source of redemptive healing for the beaten and broken".
It is beyond sad when people condemn those who have committed suicide. Those who do so have LOST hope -- at least in this world. Scripture says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick". What happens when hope is lost completely? You're right: it is a failure of community when someone takes his/her life. A person who takes his/her life is struggling on a level that only the intensive love and practical support (not simply, "I'll pray for you) of others intervening can help.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue...it is not something I'll forget.
Blessings, Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | December 5, 2007 5:24 PM
To Jesse who said
"But that would also involve confronting the contempt for our troops and the lack of appreciation for their sacrifices coming from the anti-war left"
This is the exact type of hypocritical thinking that helps foster a society that says those who serve can't cry, can't question the mission and are pu**ies if they aren't tough. (something I learned WHILE I served in the military)
The anti-war left has short comings but one thing they sure as hell are doing is allowing service members to explore ideas they may have about war. All of the patriotastic flag wagging people who say things like the above quote only help to further silence and bury the emotions that lead to service member suicide.
What we need to confront is contempt from from pro-war people for anti-war troops.
Posted by: ArmySGT | December 5, 2007 8:30 PM
Because a few people have brought this up, I will address this as someone who works with veterans. Their gripes are often against the government. This is true. But many are also very upset by people who do not appreciate their sacrifices. If you want to address their mental health needs (as Logan is attempting to do), you must also acknowledge this aspect: they are being told by many (e.g., Sojo) that they only did harm during their time of duty. Instead of a society who appreciates and values them, they have many people who belittle what they do and have done. This has consequences.
Many people, including anti-war Democrats, have acknowledged that the surge is working, but still not a peep about this from Sojo.
Posted by: jesse | December 6, 2007 1:21 AM
Logan, you wrote, "Surely we are not so blinded by our own plank that we fail to see that if we will not share their pain, we shall share their guilt". How perfect and beautiful an observation.
As someone who has struggled with depression (one of PTSD's screwed-up relatives) I know that the worst pain is the pain of feeling alone and abandoned, overburdened by a past you have no chance of carrying alone but with no one in sight to help you bear it. To my mind, the most awful thing we can do is to just walk away from the suffering of someone whose heart is filled with this kind of hurt. When we leave our vets to "just get over it", and then punish them for their inability to do so, I believe you're right to say their blood is truly on our hands.
Posted by: Iris Alantiel | December 6, 2007 7:39 AM
Posted by: jesse | December 6, 2007 1:21 AM
'Many people, including anti-war Democrats, have acknowledged that the surge is working, but still not a peep about this from Sojo.'
I don't believe that you will. It does not fit the 'Sojo' paradgym. To admit that the surge is working would mean that they might have to say something positive about Pres Bush - that ain't going to happen.
Blessings -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 6, 2007 8:40 AM
Jesse and Modlad
As one of those anti-war lefties(more or less), I resent statements that those who oppose the war do not appreciate our soldiers and hold them in contempt. That is a total lie. I belong to a small group of people (of all political persuasions) who at least once a month pack up boxes of goodies to send to our soldiers in Iraq, the ones who otherwise would not get much mail. We put our money, time and effort where others just flap their lips about how they "support the troops". We always enclose personal notes and ask the soldiers to tell us what they would like us to send them. I have heard from three of my soldiers, but one stands out.He was 19. He said he and his buddies were worried about how they would be greeted when they get home, whether they would be treated like the Viet Nam vets. I wrote him back and explained that that time was a shameful lesson and that most of us had learned to separate our leaders sins from the duty of our soldiers.I told him that if anyone dared to treat a soldier disrespectfuly, they would have milllions of American mothers to answer to. He wrote back that he had given that letter to his CO who then read it to the other troops. Many of them wept.
So when you make those statements that anyone in this country disrespects the soldiers, your poison finds its way to our soldiers. Leave them out of your political rhetoric.You anger me when you lie about me, but you really make me see red when your lies hurt our young people overseas.
Posted by: c kitty | December 6, 2007 8:56 AM
9 I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"
10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
from Psalm 42 niv
In the past year two 'brothers', to me, who knew and praised God at a level I will only possibly reach in eternity, took their own lives in moments when their bones suffered mortal agony.
Thank you Logan Laituri and also c kitty. Disrespect and scapegoating does work both ways, doesn't it.
Igor :-)
Posted by: Igor | December 6, 2007 9:27 AM
As a suicide "worker" for years, among students at academia and veterans of the Vietnam War, there seemed to be common ground in that whatever the cause, the grounds of being had opened up in a yawning and enigmatic way, and just sat there, giving no direction, and making no destructive statements.
Whether the naivete of the college student, or the wounds of combat, the effect seemed the same: what was in one's person had been destroyed or compromised, and what was left was the yawning enigma.
What I tried to do in my years was portray the condition in which these folks found themselves as classical pilgrimage to God material. In the process of such "counseling", I am pleased to offer that teaching of the nature of prayer with God seemed to have profound effects.
Equally, one's own person was also a large factor about the outcome. My discoveries came as a result of my introduction to the Dachau Concentration Camp in Bavaria, Germany in 1945. My own naivete was erased; my struggle to try to understand what was happening to me was lengthy (years) and on its own terms.
The more I learned about prayer and its practises, the more solid I began to feel within myself until finally, and at long last, I reached that place so badly portrayed about Jesus, when He
is quoted as saying that "I and the Father are one."
That oneness is discovered only in humbleness; it consists of recognizing the Presence of God in life. Which is always there, the problem being the way we see. Frank Halse
Posted by: rev. frank halse (ret) | December 6, 2007 10:13 AM
Posted by: c kitty | December 6, 2007 8:56 AM
As one of those anti-war lefties(more or less), I resent statements that those who oppose the war do not appreciate our soldiers and hold them in contempt. That is a total lie.'
I did not label 'all' that oppose the war. I was talking about the 'Kerrys' of the world who refer to our military personnel as a bunch of college dropouts. You can be against the war and still support the troups. Bless you and your friends for sending the packages to our military personnel - my church does the same twice a year.
Let me go on record that I will personally and publically say thanks to Wallis and Sojo if they would ever write an article about the surge working in Iraq. I would take Wallis out to dinner if he ever came to MN if he would say that the surge is working as many have said and if he would admit that victory in Iraq and having a nation friendly to the west in the mideast would be a good thing. But as I have be able to read on this site - they are like NBC - No Bush Complement.
So kitty - you and I can disagree and still work together on any number of issues.
Blessings -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 6, 2007 10:36 AM
Lad
Come to Kansas; I'll take you out to dinner, even if you don't admit that the war has made more enemies for the west and furthered the misunderstanding, of Jesus and his teachings, in the world. Will you also admit that Dennis Kucinich has been right about the war all along?
We have the phrase 'God hates the sin but loves the sinner'. It is so easy though to see criticism, of the war and the actions of our government, as treasonous. Three centuries of Christians were considered traitors and thus persecuted for stating 'Jesus is Lord' until Constantine marched his army through a river and declared them baptized and 'Christian'. Scripture states that 'government' is ordained by God. Scripture also warns followers of Christ to not be like this world and this world's leaders.
Igor
Posted by: Igor | December 6, 2007 11:37 AM
Posted by: Igor | December 6, 2007 11:37 AM
Heading for central KS hopefully this next summer. My Mom would like to see her brother again and with her dealing with Alzheimers and he having memory problems - this might be the last time we can get them together.
'...Dennis Kucinich has been right about the war...'
He has been right about some things - Bush has been wrong about some things.
'...actions of our government, as treasonous.'
Don't know that I would use the word 'treasonous' at this time or with the prior admin. But I believe that there have been somethings that were handled wrong or could have been handled better. I would love to see the records be made public so that we could look at what was done over the past 14+ years and see where we may have errored and know what should be done differently in the future. (oh - I don't think that will happen after the BVD Clearing of the National Archives by Hilliary's advisor Sandy Burger...)
Blessings -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 6, 2007 12:11 PM
Lad
Central Kansas is where I'm at. Let's plan on a meeting, if possible. Talk to you in a few months.
BTW, what do you think of Greg Boyd? I've heard only a bit about him, seems intriguing.
Igor
Posted by: Igor | December 6, 2007 1:01 PM
This is not about "the surge working." This is about the destructive effect of wartime realities on people in war theatres, which includes soldiers as well as civilians.
The problem is not the myth of "the stab in the back" of anti-war civilians and military personnel. Accusation of lack of appreciation for the "sacrifice" by others is not going to erase the great moral revulsion and despair that overtakes some as the result of war conditions they have experienced viscerally.
What kind of sacrifice is it when the sacredness of life is squandered for purposes that one becomes convinced were meaningless? Isn't it a moral crime of the highest order if so?
It is truly evil to blame the damaged psychological state of service personnel on those who see war as a terrible sin in the first place - the orthodox Christian theological position of the ages, in opposition to recent televangelist "patriot pastors'" heresies. It is also false witness, a sin, to distort the words of others and mischaracterize them to build up a sense of self-righteousness and rage against others with whom you disgree.
Some people are so fixated on violence as redemptive and have their religion so mixed up with militarism that they just don't remember much about who Jesus is or what he really requires. It is destructive when national identity becomes wrapped up in and identified with militarism to the point of becoming transcendant and some indiviuals decide to find the meaning of life through that conceit.
In terms of original intent, it is positively un-American.
Moreover, soldiers are in no way comparable to Jesus Christ, or priests and ministers, or saints, any more than anyone in any other walk of life and mostly often far less. There are many different reasons for getting a job in the military and most have no more basis than anyone has for getting a particular job. What is different is that they are under orders to and have received intensive psychological training to have them kill other human beings, as much as is possible, without conscience, as commanded by superiors. In addition, the military is not some sort of religious order of a highly moral nature, "the best of the best" of our society. If you served, and are truthful, you will have to admit that it is - at best - no worse than any other human institution, and falls very far short of God's requirements. The majority of people running and serving aren't even Christians and it is not run according to Christian morals. To assert otherwise is to worship flags and militarism - to be hubristically nationalistic - to assert heresy.
The reality of war experience is more than some peoples' consciences can handle, regardless of the boot camp training, which most resembles psychologically the breaking down of individual personality that cults use in order to substitute an institutional personality subject to control by authority.
Against these palpable truths, what do we see here? Anger and hatred, ignorance and delusion, stubborn false attachments. All poisononous to understanding of and compassion for others, which is what we are trying to cultivate in ourselves in service to others.
I really question the motivation for these blogging such vilifications to post here, since they see being Christian peacemakers beneath their contempt. But perhaps, they really do realize the truth, and their bitter protests are their own sort of psychological angst writ for all to see, a cry for God's help.
Lord Jesus, may these too come to realization of the truth, for we do not struggle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in the spirit world, and must reflect compassion for all, not just our friends.
Posted by: Augustine Hippo | December 6, 2007 1:10 PM
Posted by: Igor | December 6, 2007 1:01 PM
I like Boyd, one of my friends is on staff at his church and is very impressed with his message and leadership. That Boyd fell out of grace with Baptists is sorta '+' for me. I know that he is on the edge of orthodox theology on some issues but for the most part in right on.
I will let you know if I can head for McPherson this summer.
Blessings -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 6, 2007 1:20 PM
Lad
McPherson is half hour for me. Look forward to meeting somewhere there.
Grace and Peace,
Igor
Posted by: Igor | December 6, 2007 2:46 PM
Posted by: Igor | December 6, 2007 2:46 PM
I will let you know when I am heading that way.
Blessings -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 6, 2007 4:07 PM
Here is one group assisting returning Vets of the Iraq and Afghanistan war arenas:
Sanctuary/Soldier’s Heart
PO Box 8564
Albany, NY 12208
Phone: 518.463.0588
Email: info@mentorthesoul.com
Website: http://www.soldiersheart.net
OUR MISSION: Soldier’s Heart is a veterans’ return and healing project addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of veterans, their families and communities. Soldier’s Heart promotes and guides local community-based efforts to heal the effects of war based on strategies presented in the book by Dr. Ed Tick, “War and the Soul”.
Posted by: John Berg | December 6, 2007 5:36 PM
You wish to honor and assist Vets, regardless of your political stance? Here is a group doing something positive for all vets, especially those returning from the OIF and OEF war arenas:
Voices in Wartime, 4509 Interlake Ave. N. #263, Seattle, WA 98103-6782
Andy Himes - Executive Director Email: andy@voicesinwartime.org
Phone: 206-632-7587 or 425-922-6224
Email: info@voicesinwartime.crg
Website: http://www.voicesinwartime.org
Vision: Acknowledging that conflict is inevitable, we envision a world in which individuals, communities and nations move beyond polarization, instead viewing conflict as an opportunity for positive change.
Mission: Use art and education to create a less violent world and heal the trauma caused by war.
What Voices In Wartime Offers:
Discovering solutions to conflict is a task that galvanizes young people especially. Through the Voices in Wartime Education Project, we provide films, curricula, books, photo exhibits, web-based self-publishing and information resources, hands-on training for teachers – and a methodology of conflict resolution – that will help young people understand the roots of conflict, confront the pain and fear at the heart of conflict, and help to rebuild healthy human communities.
Posted by: John Berg | December 6, 2007 5:39 PM
And here is info on a new Christian ministry to veterans of OEF and OIF:
MIDDLE EAST VETS
“BECAUSE NO ONE COMES HOME FROM WAR UNCHANGED”
P.O. Box 215, Brea, CA 92822-0215
Phone: (714) 529-6227 Fax: (714) 529-1120
Email: info@middleeastvets.com Website: www.middleeastvets.com
NORTHWEST Contact: John Berg, Middle East Fellowship
P.O. Box 359, Lynnwood, WA 98046-0359
Office: (425) 640-0453 Fax: (425) 778-5727
Email: JohnTBerg@middleeastfellowship.org
A NEW GENERATION OF AMERICAN VETS Over a million US troops have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. According to VA estimates, 30% of these men and women will struggle with mental health problems of various kinds, and 15% will receive an official diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). America is faced with the duty of welcoming home this new generation of veterans. A large part of this duty will be making sure that the 300,000+ veterans who suffer from PTSD and related mental health issues will receive the help they need. Sadly, veterans are already falling through the cracks. Untreated mental health issues are already being compounded by job loss and homelessness. Many veterans are already turning to drug and alcohol abuse in an attempt to regulate their PTSD symptoms. These veterans are at particularly high risk for feeling that the America they fought for has no use for them anymore.
No matter how we feel about this war, every American has a moral obligation to make sure that these veterans are welcomed back into our society properly and are given the help they need.
HOW TO HELP VETERANS There are many ways to help veterans in need. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers many mental health programs for veterans who make a claim to services within two years of active duty. However, not all VA facilities are created equal. While some offer excellent PTSD and substance abuse programs, others do not provide adequate services. Also, because the VA places restrictions on the benefits veterans can receive after the two-year mark, many vets will not be able to make use of VA programs. It is our conviction that the institutions with the most potential for increasing effective outreach to veterans are not run by the federal government. They are small, grass-roots, peer-to-peer organizations which have formed around the idea that a veteran is best helped by a fellow veteran. Veterans are able to trust and bond with other veterans in a way that is not possible with those who have not seen active duty. With the help of relatively small investments, accompanied by the provision of key missing resources, these peer-to-peer organizations could dramatically increase their effectiveness at reaching this new generation of vets.
THE MISSION OF MIDDLE EAST VETS Middle East Vets is a joint effort of Christian Recovery International and Middle East Fellowship. Our mission is to dramatically increase the level of support for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) who struggle with substance abuse and/or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We aim to accomplish this by increasing the capacity of existing or newly-emerging grass-roots organizations for veterans. A central feature of our strategy is to raise awareness about combat-related mental health issues both among veterans and in the general population.
The specific initiatives of Middle East Vets include the following:
#1 Public Awareness Campaign
#2 Networking Initiatives (links to vets resources)
#3 Training Seminars and Conferences
#4 Capacity-Building grants
#5 Reconciliation journeys
Posted by: John Berg | December 6, 2007 5:46 PM
Modlad
From reading a lot of your comments, it is clear that you are generally well-intentioned and also able to change your views when reality requires.
So, I say this with hope that you take it as a positive --- to quote one of your heroes, "there you go again", saying Kerry's remarks were aimed at insulting our troops. Clearly, Mr Kerry has the utmost respect for our troops, has worked tirelessly to support them. His insult was aimed at our Fearless Leader, Pres. Bush.The joke is not even remotely funny unless you understand that. Almost everyone understands that. I think you even understand that, but you have a difficult time resisting the temptation to use that episode to make political jabs. But, because everyone in the world who is not in a coma understands the truth of it, you just lose credibility with that kind of remark.In other words, if you have to stretch that far to make a point, maybe you don't really have a point. And in the process, you perpetuate a poison that ultimately demoralizes American soldiers. How classy, how patriotic it would have been if those on the "right", after the botched Kerry remark, would have said something like "of course, this was not aimed at the troops". They could have won the respect of the vast middle and shown true support of the troops. Instead, it has been beaten into the ground for supposed political advantage.
Rev. Halse -- thank you for your eloquance. If only we had the words to convey to our young people the peace and wonderfulness of oneness with God in prayer/meditation and His everpresence all around us. It would certainly save lives and souls.
Posted by: c kitty | December 6, 2007 6:12 PM
Posted by: c kitty | December 6, 2007 6:12 PM
Kitty
at the time I was able to find the total transcript of Kerry's speach and their was no Bush joke in there. His comments at that time of his speach were aimed at the university students that if they didn't make it there the only option they had was the millitary.
It really is no secret that Kerry hates Bush - period.
My comments have nothing against our service personnel.
Blessings -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 6, 2007 11:26 PM
Modlad
The point is that your comments perpetuate the fiction that Kerry intended to insult the military.
If you are interested in supporting the troops, you might want to check out Operation Minnesota Nice, if you haven't already. It is a-political.
See, I am sure you do care.
Posted by: c kitty | December 7, 2007 12:17 AM
We must forgive Molderatelad for not understanding the nuance of tongue-in-cheek humor. John Kerry's big mistake in his remark was the failure to recognize how easily it could be used for political gain by those who only "support" our troops until they are no longer useful to the "mission". The "ditto heads" and loyal "patriots" who think that liberal is a dirty word have lost the ability to think for themselves.
I never considered the consequences of killing another human being until I was drafted during the Vietnam War. I had been having trouble controlling my temper, and I began to worry about what would happen if I were trained to kill without hesitation. I actually had to refuse induction when I was denied conscientious objector status. I subsequently went to see the Army Psychiatrist and explained that I felt that I had a "normal" fear of dying, but I was fearful of what might happen after returning to society.
I was reclassified as 1-y (mentally defective). Some time later, I began reading of returning vets having flashbacks and killing innocent citizens because they thought they were still in Nam. My only regret in refusing to "do my duty to God and country" is the sad fact that someone else went in my place. To this day, I hope and pray that he is OK.
Posted by: JCinSunnyLA | December 7, 2007 9:46 AM
Posted by: JCinSunnyLA | December 7, 2007 9:46 AM
I am not asking to be forgiven. I believe that Kerry communicated the message that he wanted to send.
'...only "support" our troops until they are no longer useful to the "mission".'
Your accessment not mine. I have always supported the troups, on and off the battle field. At peace or at war.
The "ditto heads" and loyal "patriots" who think that liberal is a dirty word have lost the ability to think for themselves.
So since your accessment is such - does that mean that you are part of the main stream, big four media that manifacture documents to support your issues and ideals? Please - just because we are conservative does not mean that we are getting our marching orders from Rush or Michael, we do think for ourselves.
You know - I am not going to defend myself to you because you do not ask questions of me to find out why or how I think or believe. You have already gone down the path and so I am just going to let you Hi-Ho your merry old way.
Have a great life -
.
Posted by: Moderatelad | December 7, 2007 10:35 AM
Thank you Logan for such a prophetic article. I pray that God's Spirit will compel us to reach out in love and compassion to soldier and civiliens on boths sides.
Posted by: Shaun | December 7, 2007 3:27 PM
It is possible to be a pacifist and a conservative, as were both of my grandfathers. Along with "I don't want to kill people" they were influenced by the "Christ against culture" mentality of the lower middle class Pentecostals of their day. All the killing in the Old Testament was of particular concern
to my paternal grandfather. But instead of dismissing the Bible as mere "metaphor"
or just plain wrong, he was
satisfied to ask God about it in Heaven.
Such humility before God's revelation is, shall we
say, far from universal among the wonderful Christians I've met while posting here. So I was dismayed but not surprised by the "gross misinterpretations of Scripture" slam in Logan Laituri's article.
I'm not one to argue over every jot and tittle--even though Jesus said NONE of them would pass away. But many of these post exchanges go downhill quickly when it becomes evident that many either:
believe absolute truth doesn't exist, or
that it is inaccessible to us.
No wonder there are so many suicides!
"If Christ be not raised, your faith is VAIN, you are
still in your sins"
So when a veteran is surrounded by a cynical society, many of whom believe mostly in their own opinions,
where is reassurance supposed to come from?
Yes, a sincere effort at care might help, whether from secular and religious sources. But what
can't help is the attitude "soldier, you thought you were fighting a just war, but due to gross
misinterpretation of Scripture on someone's part,
you're actually just a murderer." That's supposed to enlighten and comfort??
Blessings in the name of the Prince of Peace,
Posted by: Witness for Peace | December 9, 2007 9:19 PM
"Witness for Peace" wrote:
"But many of these post exchanges go downhill quickly when it becomes evident that many either:
believe absolute truth doesn't exist, or
that it is inaccessible to us."
Or, I would add, when someone believes in his/her heart that only s/he has access to absolute truth.
As for soldier suicides, I for one will not judge them until I hear their stories--if I have the chance. I can hardly imagine the horrors, both outside themselves and inside, that a warrior goes through in a war. Thank you, Mr. Laituri, for opening our eyes to this ongoing tragedy.
Posted by: John Rasmussen | December 10, 2007 3:18 PM
...or when a pre-modernist is arguing with a
post-modernist,
punctuated by the occasion comment from a modernist.
Posted by: Witness for Peace | December 10, 2007 4:21 PM
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