Tie a Yellow Ribbon - Yeah That'll Help

The March of
The Bonus Army
2006

A PBS special about the betrayal of another generation's troops










A member of Military Families Speak Out (MFSO) recently visited Tom Tancredo's office. Tancredo is a member of the House of Representatives from Colorado. He's well known as wanting to shut the borders to all "illegals", wanting to bomb mosques of "Islamic terrorists" and making attacks of racial nature on many other groups. Even the Neo-conservatives disown him.
The MFSO mom wrote an email to a group of us describing the cavalier and insulting behaviors of Tancredo and his staff toward a small group of moms wanting to know how the Congressman would vote on funding the Iraq war.
Being a veteran and a frequent visitor to Congressional offices in the earlier years of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I could understand the frustration of the mom.
So, I wrote her back and upon reading and editing the email think it might qualify as almost decent. And I'll put it on my blog just to record some of my feelings about the "support the troops" issue

G,
I'm sorry your experience at the office was what it was but really not all that surprised. I've been to Tancredo's office twice in the past and met much the same attitude and frankly, ignorance.
I vividly recall trying to explain depleted uranium to his top aide here in Denver. First, he didn't know what it was. When I gave him the simplified "dummies" explanation of DU, he denied the U.S. would use such weaponry. His quote was "we don't use chemical weapons".
I also remember seeing photos of Tancredo dressed in Air Force flight suit and with astronauts amidst the American flag and wanted to break the case to remove the stuff. He's a wannabe that's never served in the military or faced what he'd ask eighteen year old kids to face.
His "service" in Congress is a career highlighted by racist attitudes, fascist beliefs and the backing of fanatical right wingers such as the Minute-Men. Put sheets on them and they would fit right in with the Klan.
Of course his intolerance knows no limits as he would bomb mosques and lock away any male of Arabic or Hispanic heritage. Unless the Mexican nationals will do his basement cheaper than union or non-union labor here in the U.S.. There have to be exceptions made.
But a young kid with a 4.0 GPA at an inner city school with a Mexican mother and father should never be allowed such a break as college tuition. We can't make exceptions after all.
My first visit to Salazar's office wasn't much better. He was over 30 minutes late. Rather than listen to the group led by C... B..., who is about the most mellow person in the world, Salazar interrupted and told the group it was "his meeting and we'll talk about what I say".
Luckily, I decided to leave before that occurred due to another obligation. I happened to meet Salazar just as he walked in. His anxious aide, who was furious I'd dare walk out on the meeting, introduced me to the Senator.
Salazar gave me the weak handshake famous of politicians and talked to me like I was his friend. I casually told him I couldn't wait due to a more important obligation and walked away from him and his slimy aide.
When I visited Allard's office a few years ago, his aides attempted to seal off the building as being private property and not allow us in to see "our" U.S. Senator. Some college students did a die in at the office which shocked the staff because they used an air raid siren to simulate the noise of a bombing in Iraq.
Allard's top aide, a middle-aged black male, started yelling for the local sheriff's in attendance to arrest all of us. The sheriff refused. He must have read the Constitution.
At another visit, the same aide refused to allow reporters into the office with the small group we had. I got into an argument with him over the rights of the press to be there because the mainstream press people were so passive and willing to give away their rights.
The aide made the mistake of telling me kids were over in Iraq protecting the freedom of Americans to have free speech. I played my own vet card and told him the kids in Iraq were being used as cannon fodder just as we'd been in Vietnam.
The aide became infuriated and asked me to leave. I reminded him that he'd said troops were in Iraq to protect freedom of speech so why would he want someone with differing views tossed from the office of a U.S. Senator. The press in the hall loved it.
What I finally came to realize, and have told many in the local "peace movement", is visiting these whores of Congress is largely a wasted energy unless we have a mass movement or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
What you saw in the Tancredo office is unfortunately the norm. Even in offices like Perlmutter's there will be a feigned interest and patting of our heads to assure us the congress person will do "the right thing".
Then follow what happens after your visit. They will consistently vote with the herd and never take a moral stand unless they are sure it plays well in the polling. They will give greater consideration to special interests than the individual citizens they represent.
Keep in mind Salazar voted for Alberto Gonzales, who interprets U.S. law being amenable to torture. Salazar felt it was more important a person of Latino heritage hold such a high position. Yeah, like having Condi as Secretary of State is such a boon for the black community.
I guess you see why I was hesitant to attend the visits this time around. I really did feel I would have a very difficult time tolerating the patronizing and lying.
There's a very wise veteran, Stan Goff, who talks about the peace movement placing far too much emphasis on the electoral process versus building a grassroots movement of diversity that will actually force a political change.
I agree with Stan because the election of Democrats will in the end be nothing but window dressing and non-binding resolutions while the American government will continue to feed the military industrial complex and turn away the poor, the elderly and those most in need.
And children from middle class and lower middle class communities will continue to believe the lie of the American dream. They will come from small town America where jobs are scarce and life deadly boring and predictable for the young. They will come from the inner city where there are few escapes except prison or the military. They will think joining the military is an act of patriotism and honor only to be dishonored by the very institution they place such faith in.
And when they return, they will join the millions of other veterans from all generations in realizing they were abused and used only to be tossed aside as we toss aside the wrappers of fast food sandwiches. They are disposable.
The benefits and the honor they should receive will turn into a constant struggle against a system bent on denying them services and accusing them of being deadbeats and malingerers. The very government that extols their willingness to serve will trot out "experts" to refute there is any problem with PTSD or depleted uranium just as they did with mustard gas and agent orange.
I wish I could paint a better picture but I have come to realize from history and from my own experiences the American veteran is a pawn and will always be a footnote when it becomes time for Americans to honor the contract between vet and country.
I clearly see once again in my pursuit of getting the word out about PTSD very few want to hear the message. They want to hear the war stories of our young men and women or the words of intellectuals and "experts" on the current part of the world we've thrown into crisis by our actions but they really don't want to be reminded of the costs of the wars.
I've seen young vets trotted out to be showcased as victims and heroes by both the neo-cons and the peace movement but neither side really gives a damn when it comes time to put up in caring for them.
Both sides are in competition to claim they support the troops more than the other but neither side really wants to hear about the drastic costs to the young men and women sacrificed to the deadly war machine that seems to never end.
I've met constant resistance from every quarter in trying to just present the basic facts about PTSD. I've had peace activists tell me it wasn't appealing to an audience and instead we should have a panel of vets to discuss their experiences. But not the aftermath.
I've seen the VA say they have it covered but obviously they don't. The medical care arm of the military (Tri-care) resents any attempt to assist or help in bringing information or care to the active duty troop. The local mental health centers say it's not their problem but with the ever increasing diagnoses of preexisting conditions or the less than honorable discharges it will become their problem.
Suggestions there should be a plan in place before the war went by the wayside. Suggestions there should be intra-agency cooperation between public sector and private sector providers are considered heresy. The welfare of the troops is seldom a priority in all the discussions.
I have come to the conclusion Donald Rumsfeld and Henry Kissinger are more honest than the opposing forces claiming they support the troops most. Both men have made statements the troops are interchangeable parts and in effect disposable. At least they are reflecting the reality.
Americans became appalled about the plight of the mostly black communities of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina immediately and then moved on to the next headline.
Almost two years later the communities of the poor and black remain destroyed and half the population displaced. Americans have forgotten the destroyed communities of New Orleans.
We can expect the same will happen to our troops. They will get parades and city hall awards but where will all the glad-handers be when the nightmares cause a young man or woman to consider suicide? Where will the peace movement be when the decorated soldier becomes addicted and homeless?
I've come to believe it will once again fall on the veterans and their families to struggle for what is due them. Despite all the claims of support from the right they will forget the promises and be absorbed in "more important" things.
Despite all claims from the peace and justice groups, some individuals will actually blame the troops for failing to refuse service. Some will say the troops should have known better. I've heard individuals who are asked to speak against the war privately say these things.
I don't think we can renege on the promises to the young men and women of the military for the necessary care and support they'll need to readjust.
I don't think we can give amnesty to individuals for acts of atrocity they participated in carrying out, though. But that responsibility must carry all the way up the chain of command with the ultimate responsibility being at the doorstep of the war criminals who perpetrated this illegal and immoral war.
And there’s a lyric in the song, Universal Soldier;
“He's the Universal Soldier and he really is to blame,
His orders come from far away no more,
They come from
here and there and you and me,
And brothers can't you
see,
This is not the way we put the end to war.”
Some may think this condemns the individual. I don’t. I interpret it as making us all responsible for ongoing wars. We can no longer allow ourselves to be that “universal soldier”. We can no longer allow generation after generation to be the disposable ones.
Sorry for once again going into a rant. I don’t want to discourage. I want veterans and their family to use righteous indignation as the fuel to make all these groups of “supporters” shut up and put up.

Peace and solidarity,
Terry Leichner, RN

The Aftermath: THE OTHER WALTER REED

THE OTHER WALTER REED
The Hotel Aftermath
Inside Mologne House, the Survivors of War Wrestle With Military Bureaucracy and Personal Demons

By Anne Hull and Dana Priest
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, February 19, 2007; Page A01

The guests of Mologne House have been blown up, shot, crushed and shaken, and now their convalescence takes place among the chandeliers and wingback chairs of the 200-room hotel on the grounds of Walter Reed Army Medical Center.........




http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/18/AR20070218013...

Soldiers Face Neglect, Frustration At Army's Top Medical Facility - washingtonpost.com

Today's Washington Post gives a glimpse of the way our troops are being supported on their return from the combat zones. I gave a copy to my wife, Pam, to read. She was as angry as I've seen her in some time. She's a gentle soul who seldom gets outraged but this story did the job.
She ended up having to go to our local park to find some peace after reading this story. She's been at my side for many years as we've fought PTSD brought about by my personal experiences in combat.
If you read this story and feel outraged - do something! Spread the word. Write congress. Go to the streets. Join parents of the troops in advocating for the needed funding and care of the troops.
And remember....Iraqis and Afghanis don't have a VA or treatment centers for their PTSD. Don't let the innocent kids and their parents of these countries be forgotten. They outnumber American and British troops victimized by PTSD a hundred times over... or more. It's unlikely many will ever get the treatment they need. So, remember them in your prayers as well.
Peace,
Terry



Soldiers Face Neglect, Frustration At Army's Top Medical Facility - washingtonpost.com

No Bravery, No Heroes

Jim Walsh is a playwright with an acting troupe called The Romero Troupe. The troupe is named for the priest, Oscar Romero, who was assassinated by American funded death squads trained in the School of Americas. Romero was an outspoken priest opposing an American backed regime in El Salvador.

Jim developed the troupe as part of his history course which he teaches at University of Colorado – Denver (UCD).

I met Jim one cold night while attending a rally and vigil to oppose the escalation of the war in Iraq. We were at the corner of Broadway and 14th in Civic Center Park with family members of troops deployed or about to be deployed.

Jim told me he was looking for a worthy cause to donate half of his troupe’s earnings from the most recent play called “9/12”. The play was doing a two day run at the Oriental Theatre in Northwest Denver. The other half of the earnings was going to AFSC.

Jim wanted an organization that focused on assisting returning troops adjust when they returned from the wars. His play included many scenes about the issue of PTSD and effects on the troops and those close to the troops.

I immediately thought of Vets4Vets, the IVAW project of peer counseling for returning vets. The counselors are trained by mental health professionals before allowed to interact with any returning veteran or person close to a returning vet.

Jim liked the suggestion and asked I be one of the speakers before the play on January 25, 07. He wanted me to speak about Vietnam Veterans Against the War, IVAW and PTSD.

I went to the January 24, 07 presentation and came away with mixed feelings. One scene seemed to make a hero of a veteran killed in action.

While I respect and grieve the loss of any soldier, Marine, seaman or airman and women, I have a problem saying anybody participating in an immoral action is heroic.

So, I amended my prepared remarks for the 25th. Here’s the text of those remarks. I post them because some members of the audience gave me positive feedback. But, I also post them to have others join in on this idea our American troops are heroes while participating in a war we say is immoral and illegal.
I have to say I’ve struggled with what I would say tonight. Seemed like a no-brainer when I was first asked by Jim to speak about VVAW, IVAW and PTSD.


That was before I saw the play last night and there was mention of heroes. Now I have the dilemma of taking an unpopular position with some in the veteran group opposing the war.


I don’t believe we can be part of immoral and illegal wars as individuals and be called heroes.


I don’t believe we should continue to call the dead American troops of these wars heroes. Almost all had good intentions but they were betrayed.


I know many whose names I visited at the Vietnam Memorial wall acted heroically in combat situations I was in.


But, I also know some committed acts of atrocity and evil.


My squad leader threw a “frag” into a bunker, knowing there was a crying baby there. The squad leader was KIA a few weeks later. I can’t say he was a hero.


If we continue to make heroes of those who die and fight in illegal and immoral wars, we condemn our future generations to the glorification of violence and war.


We can’t have it both ways. We can’t condemn a war but say our troops are heroes fighting for democracy and freedom.


The reality of combat is we don’t fight for country, we don’t fight for democracy and we don’t fight for freedom. As a young Marine says in a rap on the CD, “Voices From the Frontline”, ……”we fight for the dawg next to us.”



We, the combat veterans, are the pawns of a culture of violence. To truly be heroic and honor our dead friends requires us to acknowledge our responsibility and to speak out against this insanity.


The heroes are those who struggle to bring peace and sanity to our world. Ardeth Platte, Jackie Hudson and Carol Gilbert are my heroes. They are three Sisters who without a single weapon stood up to the bully American military-industrial complex. They said ENOUGH to continued nuclear weapons.


Kathy Kelly, Lt. Erin Watada, Pablo Paredes, Camilo Mejia, Suzanne Swift, Abdul Henderson and many of you here in this audience are heroes. All have said enough!! All have struggled to end war and bring peace and justice at large personal costs.


But I’m here to talk about PTSD. Why should your money go to a group like Vets4Vets?


Vets4Vets is a non-profit organization created by IVAW to provide qualified peer counseling for returning veterans of the current wars.


Back in the “day”, VVAW found the formation of “rap groups” helped our generation of vets in readjusting to the “world”.


Vets of all wars come home with the belief only other veterans can understand the horror they’ve endured. Vets4Vets is the refinement of the VVAW “rap group”. Their counselors have had training by mental health professionals before taking on the task.


It’s my belief the Vets4Vets program can be a doorway for returning vets wanting help with readjusting after their horrific experiences.


I have this quote on my blog:

Please God, let me see the sunset. Please God, let me see another morning. Please God, let me see my friend again with both eyes intact and no gaping holes in his body.

A Soldier


I’ve been blessed to be around and work with many Iraq veterans over the past few years. I’ve also had the honor to talk with many family members of veterans and troops about to deploy.


I’ve talked with a mother whose son, Andy, is in the Marines. Andy was pinned down in Falluja during an intense firefight. His best friend was killed in front of him. Andy held the friend for over an hour while the brain matter oozed from his friend’s skull.


I’ve talked with young veterans who are haunted by orders they were given to never stop while in a convoy in Iraq. It was a reasonable military tactic to avoid IED’s. The reality of running over children and innocent civilians is what haunts these vets, though.


I’ve marched six days with veterans and Katrina survivors from Mobile to New Orleans. The many Iraq and Vietnam veterans I was honored to be with didn’t think their time in war heroic.


In fact, the Iraq veterans were very excited when a camera crew from Al Jazeera joined us on the march. The vets wanted the Iraqi people to see their opposition to the war, their solidarity with the Iraqis and their sorrow for the death and destruction inflicted upon Iraqis.


We’re talking about the death and destruction for over 600,000 lives. Of that number, 90% were innocent civilians. Of the 90%, forty per cent were children.


These are the numbers of every war since the end of WWII. With so many children it’s understandable why so many vets are haunted by their experiences.


My dear friend, Abdul Henderson, the black Marine in Fahrenheit 9-11 who walked with Michael Moore in front of the Capitol, is one of the haunted. Abdul publicly stated in the film he would not return to Iraq even though subject to re-deployment. He would go to prison first.



Abdul has finally been discharged from the Marine Corps and wasn’t re-deployed to Iraq.



Abdul had good reason to object and resist. During his tour in Iraq he was a forward observer for naval artillery and air support. On one occasion he called in an artillery strike against a target in a village. The artillery barrage missed the target. Instead it hit an area occupied by civilians. 37 civilians were killed. Many were children.



If you ever wanted an example of the causes of PTSD, Abdul’s experience is definitely an example.



Another Iraq veteran, who was much beloved, was Doug Barber. Doug, a member of IVAW, wrote a blog that spoke about his opposition to the war. He wrote with eloquence and passion on the subject. But, Doug was plagued by the demons of war.



Another vet called Doug right before the march to New Orleans was to take place. It was expected Doug would take part. Instead, Doug left this message on his answering machine:

“If you’re looking for Doug, I’m checking out of this world. I’ll see you on the other side.”

Doug killed himself after taping that message.



It is our responsibility as a nation to prevent deaths like Doug’s from happening. In researching for presentations I’ve found over 250 PTSD related articles that are similar to Doug’s story.



For healing we must intervene and assure our veterans they will get the help they need. Vets4Vets is an excellent beginning point.



Iraq Veterans Against the War has three goals in their mission:

Immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces in Iraq
Reparations for the destruction and corporate pillaging of Iraq so that ordinary Iraqi people can control their lives and future
Full benefits, adequate healthcare (including mental health), and other supports for returning servicemen and women.


To end, I leave you with this quote from Malcolm X:

“You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.”



Wm. Terry Leichner, RN

Vietnam combat veteran

VVAW member, Denver

Trial of Brother Shareef a Trial Against Us All

Around 1015 a.m. civil rights, freedom of speech and cop watch activist Shareem Aleem was found not guilty by a jury in the Adams County Justice Center.
Brother Shareef was made to endure a second trial after the first trial ended in a dead-locked jury. He was charged with assaulting a CU campus policeman during the CU Regent's meeting to discuss the controversy surrounding the free speech rights of Professor Ward Churchill.
The Regent's meeting was annouced as being an open public forum and a large crowd of activists supporting Churchill attended. Apparently the Regents sensed there might truly be free speech occurring at this forum and suddenly reneged on their announced open forum. They closed the meeting and attempted to cut off any comments from the public.
Brother Shareef objected as many in the auditorium did. He dared to stand up to voice his objection. He and another member of the crowd were targeted by campus police to take out of the audience.
When a campus policeman attempted to grab Shareef, he clearly told him to keep his hands off of him, pushing the attempted grab away. Two campus policemen approached the brother from the back of the elevated part of the auditorium he was standing in. The other policeman who had attempted to grab Brother Shareef was standing below the railing of that area.
The two campus policemen came upon the brother and one shoved him forward, resulting in him losing his balance. Brother Shareef lurched forward and was grabbed by the officer below. This contact caused Shareef to fall onto the policeman and a struggle initiated by the police occurred.
Shareef was taken down, cuffed and led from the auditiorium with the crowd angered and shouting "let him go". He was treated harshly once outside the auditorium as well.
So, logically, the DA of Adams County charged Shareef Aleem with a felony assault of the campus policeman he was pushed into by another campus policeman. The charge could have resulted in a prison sentence of up to 16 years.
These are the approximate facts. The true story, however, is the courage of our Brother Shareef Aleem. He has consistently confronted the plague of police brutality in the Denver metropolitan area. He's been a victim of that brutality and continued the stuggle.
These are the things Brother Shareef Aleem fights to make right. He lives with the harassment and the racism every day. He and his family also live with the new reality of racism and prejudice against the Muslim community. Thanks to the terror tactics of the Bush administration, being Muslim and black makes brothers and sisters magnets for the brutality of the militarized police forces, the homeland security and federal agents bent on creating fear and intimidation.
When Ward Churchill was being excoriated for daring to have written "the chickens have come home to roost" concerning the events of September 11, 2001, Shareef Aleem stood up to protect his right to have an opinion unpopular but terribly true.
The paraphrased words of Malcolm X about chickens coming home to roost infuriated the establishment so bent on making 9-11 the rallying cry for the phony war on terror. They lashed out at the bearer of truth and bad news who dared to challenge the symbol of the atrocities of “Shock and Awe” and “Mission Accomplished”....the twin towers of NYC.
Brother Shareef refused to allow intimidation and brutality to win out in the case of Churchill just as he's continued to do so in his own community. The elite and powerful of this nation depend on the paramilitary forces of the police to carry out the fear campaign as well as police against crime. Shareef challenges that force of fear.
The opportunity to quiet this voice of freedom came about when Shareef Aleem decided to be the lion rather than the lamb at the CU Regent's meeting. Here was a chance to put him into the gulag system that has taken so many of his brothers. And we in America had better start thinking of them as our brothers as well.
The DA of Adams County tried Shareef and failed to get a jury to convict him of the felony that would imprison him. Undeterred in the attempt to quiet this dissident, the DA used the split jury to put Brother Shareef and his family through another trial rather than accept the obvious evidence of the truth.
Judge Delgado imprisoned Brother Shareef for daring to wear a shirt decrying the injustice of the gulag system of America during the first trial. Shareef wore a shirt to honor Tookie Williams, a brother who was literally assassinated by the American government. Shareef dared to honor a man who wrote children's books urging children of color and white children to be peaceful and non-violent.
He refused to take the shirt off. Judge Delgado of the Adams County court found him in contempt. Once again a question of free speech was defended at the cost of his own freedom by Shareef.
Those who don't know Shareef Aleem may be taken aback by his ferocity and passion. They may hear the loud voice of a black man speaking out against the racist injustices of this nation and flinch because of the racism so many of us are indoctrinated with by the Eurocentric white culture we live in.
I recently did a presentation about the peace movement during the Vietnam era. I immediately thought of the Black Panthers and wondered where such a group is in today's troubled times. I go see Shareef Aleem on trial and talk with Brother Larry Hales and I know where they are. The Panthers live on in the courage and passion of Shareef and Larry.
Some may shudder at the mention of the Panthers but fail to understand what they represented and what their true goals were. They fail to understand the COINTELPRO terrorists of J.Edgar Hoover and the CIA targeted the Panthers fearing they might actually stir the black community to rise up angry against the continued inequities of a nation calling itself free, Christian, democratic and just.
COINTELPRO has morphed into the Joint Terrorist Task Force and Homeland Security. Guantanamo and the secret prisons spread throughout the world show nothing has changed except the sophistication of the means to spread terror.
The values and freedoms Shareef stands for are those opposed to secret police forces, abusive police forces and the restriction of justice and freedom for all citizens. He stands for the values of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. He stands for the values of his God.
This may very well sound like a biased tribute to my friend and brother, Shareef Aleem. It is. It's also a tribute to Mark Burton who actually makes the practice of law an honorable thing. Mark is another freedom fighter who is fearless and unwilling to give away the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
I got to see Mark at work briefly but immediately recognized his skill and his passion for justice. He uses the law as a sword of justice that cuts deeply into the sleazy proceedings that so often occur.
I heard Shareef's judge sentence a young woman to four years in prison for multiple violations of using drugs. The judge told the woman her problem was her addiction. Logically he sent her to prison. I feared I would see Shareef face the same fate but because of Mark and because of the truth a miracle occurred. Justice prevailed!

Wm. Terry Leichner, RN
VVAW member - Denver
Vietnam combat vet - USMC

Rocky Mtn. News Letter - PTSD is Cowardice

This past Friday the Rocky Mtn News printed this letter:

‘Stress disorder’ used to be called cowardice Friday, January 26 at 12:01 AM

The sad picture in the Jan. 13 Rocky of the forlorn young soldier who wants out of the Army because of the dreadful things he saw in Iraq (“Terrors of war linger for some”) will impress a lot of mommies, perhaps, but not many men.

This fellow joined up intending to spend a lifetime in a proud career in the military. One problem: Apparently he did not think it might involve battle, or, if it did, Army Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman could not have been right in describing it as “hell.”

Other soldiers are horrified and sickened by the consequences of firefights but they hang in and prevail.

This fellow claims “post-traumatic stress disorder” from things he saw and wants a kindly nation to turn him loose. It will sound a whole lot more like cowardice to many. Cowardice in the face of the enemy used to get you a firing squad; now it is called PTSD and you are sent home to your family while fellow soldiers fight to the end.

Lee Vander Jagt, Denver
The printing of this letter occurred the same day I saw a report of American troops saying Americans can't have it both ways..."they can't support the troops but not support our mission". The hand picked soldier didn't tell what the mission was but why should we care?

These two items made me once again see the collusion of the media with the Bush Administration in disseminating information. The mainstream media owned by corporations friendly and contributing to the tyrants in charge (or is it the corporations really in charge??) have become the new version of the Nazi information ministry.

I did respond to the letter since it's such a blatant attempt by a newspaper to discredit mental health services for combat veterans. This use of such a letter to place stigma on mental health care fits right in with the military's continued attempts to downplay and bury the trauma experienced by the returning troops.

Henry Kissinger and Donald Rumsfeld have both made it clear they think of the troops as disposable pawns to have killed and replaced by new young fodder of the "lower class"of America. Both are the main advisors to Bush on his Iraq policy. Rumsfeld's resignation merely hid him more from public view. He's never gone away.

My response to the letter follows but I doubt it'll ever be printed:


I can understand ignorance of an individual such as Lee Vander Jagt equating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with cowardice in his/her letter of January 26, 07. I don’t understand the editorial discretion and responsibility of the Rocky Mountain News in publishing such a warped and insensitive piece that continues to promote stigma for returning troops seeking mental health services.

I doubt very much the RMN would publish a letter that equates cancer with a character flaw. I doubt there would be a letter published which stated the annual run/walk for breast cancer research was a waste and foolish because cancer can’t be cured.

The RMN and Vander Jagt perpetuate the ugly stigma mental health treatment shouldn’t have parity with physical health treatment. At a time when returning troops are having ever increasing mental health problems as a result of multiple deployments to combat your disrespect and that of Vander Jagt does little to support them. Instead you help put road blocks in their way to return to the best health possible.

I’d ask Vander Jagt visit a VA mental health unit and tell the combat vets they’re cowards for experiencing trauma following deaths of their friends and innocent Iraqi children. And perhaps John Temple and your editorial staff should go with Vander Jagt.


William T. Leichner, RN

USMC combat veteran - Vietnam ('67-'69)

PTSD - The Individual Reality

I was asked to speak about PTSD at a MoveOn action to turn in a signed petition demanding the end of funding for the escalation in Iraq. Being a psychiatric RN it would have been simple to just review signs and symptoms, treatments and medications used. I could have brought my DSM-IV to read the criteria of the diagnosis.

This time I just couldn't do the usual. This time I wanted anybody listening to hear how it feels to be a combat veteran or family member struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I wanted them to understand the pain.

Sometimes speaking clinically obscures the true reality of things. Hopefully the words I spoke today in some way helped toward the understanding of PTSD.

There’s much being said about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder these days but I keep wondering if most Americans truly understand what it is, what it isn’t and what the cost to the troops and the American society is.


PTSD is waking up screaming a best friend’s name. The nightmare of the IED killing him returned. Professionals call them nightmares but my experience has been they’re more like a video running in the mind repeatedly when attempting to sleep.


PTSD is waking to your wife’s screams, finding your hands on her throat and seeing her terrified look. She made the mistake of trying to cuddle while you were asleep.


PTSD is being a stranger to your own family. Your body returns but your core spirit has been changed and emotional responses are limited or absent.


PTSD is the constant vigilance for something bad to happen. It’s diving to the ground at the first loud sound nearby. It’s moving to defend yourself when someone approaches you from the rear.


PTSD is the nagging question why you survived but many of your friends didn’t. It’s cursing God for allowing you to survive.


PTSD is anger and red hot rage that burns in your soul and boils over with the slightest provocation. Boils over in violence, abuse and despair.


PTSD is using substances to medicate despair and depression. It’s blackouts and binges. It’s dependency and addiction. It’s a 40 oz., a track mark, a crack pipe, a line. Anything to take the pain away if only for a short time.


PTSD is drinking a bottle of tequila in a cheap motel in another state while loading your .357. It’s unlocking the safety, putting your mouth around the barrel and squeezing the gun metal trigger that will send a round through your palate into your brain. It seems the only way to bring peace.


PTSD is the inability to sleep for fear of dreams, because of need to be on guard and because your brain won’t shut down the memories.


PTSD is hearing a phone ring in the middle of night and immediately thinking someone died.


PTSD is sitting with your back to the wall in order to keep sight of anybody nearby.


PTSD is losing job after job because you can’t endure taking orders and the work seems meaningless.


PTSD is thinking suicidal thoughts frequently but never telling a therapist because you want to keep that option open.


PTSD is a prison cell following the murder of a man who insulted your wife.


PTSD is a prison cell following a bar fight and assault.


PTSD is the homicide of your wife after she tells you she’s leaving you.


PTSD is divorce and failed relationships.


PTSD is a homeless shelter on a freezing night


PTSD is sleeping under a bridge


PTSD is going through a restaurant dumpster to eat.


PTSD is never fitting in


PTSD is a parent seeing a government car pull up and two uniformed men getting out in front of the house.


PTSD is not hearing from a daughter in Baghdad after a roadside bomb is reported on the nightly news


PTSD is taking powerful medications that result in loss of sexual function


PTSD is waking to the cries of your infant daughter and thinking of that baby in Ramadi…the one accidentally killed by your gunfire.


PTSD is seeing Arab men and women approach on the streets of America and feeling anger and fear.


PTSD is being afraid of a child’s wave because that was the last image you had just before your best friend was hit by a sniper’s deadly bullet.


PTSD is a wife afraid of a husband’s changing mood.


PTSD is a parent hearing the news Marines were killed in Falluja and thinking of her son patrolling there.


PTSD is migraine headaches, ulcers and joint pain.


PTSD is panic attacks in large crowds.


PTSD is failing to enjoy holidays and family get-togethers.


PTSD is spending the first hour of a hike in the mountains thinking of combat patrols in Afghanistan.


PTSD is avoiding the desert area of Moab which once brought so much joy.


PTSD is being promoted at work only to be fired weeks later for insubordination and angry outbursts.


PTSD is isolating in a room soon after family arrives to visit.


PTSD is hearing helicopters flying over and remembering deadly firefights


PTSD is frequent memory lapses and poor concentration except the memory of violence


PTSD is no desire to play catch with your own son


PTSD is working too much and avoiding home


PTSD is attending the funeral of a close family member and lacking emotions


PTSD is road rage


PTSD is a single car accident in a remote area


PTSD is creating a situation for police to be called, stepping on the porch, aiming a weapon toward the police and being killed by gunshots.


PTSD is having an argument with a girlfriend and responding by hanging yourself hours later


PTSD is a stigma in American culture


PTSD affects families, friends and the entire community one way or the other if left untreated


PTSD is being a RN at a mental health center with a flare up of depressive symptoms but failing to get the understanding a co-worker got when undergoing surgery. It’s working as a RN with a psychiatrist who tells you she’d rather be dead than have chronic PTSD. I was that RN. I have chronic PTSD.



PTSD isn’t a personality disorder and the military needs to have heavy scrutiny for the abuse of the personality disorder diagnosis.


A review needs to be done of possible over use of diagnoses to separate troops from the military which leaves them unable to access mental health services because the diagnosis is considered a pre-existing condition.


Far too often the symptoms of personality disorder can also be symptoms of PTSD. Inadequate screening or evaluation to determine accurate diagnosis clearly violates the standard of care that should be in place.


Using less than honorable discharges to separate veterans of combat because of behavioral problems on return from combat is a reprehensible violation of ethics and standards of psychiatric care.


Using excuses that the standards for admitting a recruit into the military have been lowered is also a violation of ethics.


If a recruit has a pre-existing psychiatric condition on admission into the military why isn’t it diagnosed at some point before sending that person to a combat zone? Why is it predominately following combat such a harmful diagnosis occurs?


PTSD isn’t an excuse to commit acts of violence or other crimes


PTSD isn’t weakness, an attempt to get something for nothing or a flaw in character.


PTSD isn’t a condition which you tell someone to “suck it up”.


PTSD isn’t any less destructive than a heart attack or a broken leg


PTSD isn’t something you just get over


PTSD isn’t a condition that CANNOT be treated BUT there isn’t one treatment that fits for all


PTSD isn’t hypochondria


PTSD isn’t “all in your head”


PTSD isn’t something to be treated on the cheap


Post Traumatic Stress Disorder isn’t a disorder. It is an emotional and physical wound inflicted by either acute or long term trauma being witnessed or experienced. It has a physical component. It has a social component. It has an emotional component and it has a spiritual component.


The American people can choose to either properly treat the returning troops as soon as symptoms emerge or allow the symptoms to become long term. They will either pay a small cost up front or a huge cost later.


Today young men face homicide charges for murdering a family in Iraq following the gang rape of their daughter. These troops had faced heavy combat prior to this incident.


The young man who was said to be the leader of the group had a psychiatric evaluation many days before this happened. He was said to be homicidal, which is one of three standards requiring involuntary hospitalization. The other two are danger to self and being so gravely disabled one is unable to do the routine things to survive.


This young man was not hospitalized. He was given medications and told to get some rest and then returned to his unit. As a result a young woman was raped and she and her immediate family killed.


The military stance on mental health is clear. Col. Elspeth Ritchie of the Army surgeon general’s office says service members diagnosed with PTSD have been sent back into combat, partly driven by troop shortages.


“The challenge for us….is the Army has a mission to fight….so we have to weigh the needs of the Army, the needs of the mission, with the soldiers’ personal needs.”


The military has taken up the practice of sending troops back into combat zones under the influence of powerful psychotropic drugs…antidepressants, antipsychotics and anti-anxiolytics…which have potentially dangerous side effects and which need medical monitoring until it is clear what efficacy the medication has.


This practice is dangerous, irresponsible and outside the standard of care for psychiatric patients. Inserts on all these medications warn about driving and the use of heavy equipment until it is clear how the medication is reacting with the patient. Carrying weapons and possibly having the lives of other soldiers dependent on your actions surely falls under this warning.


Recent events have shown the military fails often in providing appropriate treatment for returning troops. In fact, there is new evidence some returning troops are being harassed and punished if they seek psychiatric care. There’s been a recent investigation of such allegations at Ft. Carson, Colorado following complaints by returning troops.


Such behavior only further blocks returning troops from seeking help because it clearly demonstrates a stigmatization of anyone utilizing mental health treatment.


Anyone who knows about the funding of the VA understands the funds remain discretionary. This continues to leave treatment facilities needed for proper care of veterans short of the monies required.


A large and diverse coalition of veteran advocacy groups has called for a fixed and rational way of funding the VA to meet the needs of all veterans. At this time the needed changes have not been made and returning troops are the ones who will pay for the shortfall.


Recent escalation of the number of troops sent to the combat zones will only cause a larger surge in the needs of returning troops. As much as one third of the returning troops will require mental health treatment at some point.


Already the VA has cut the time of psychiatric evaluations from 90 minutes to 60 minutes and the length of therapy visits from 45 to 30 minutes. They’ve also cut the frequency of visits for therapy from once every two weeks to one time each month.

Any professional working with patients diagnosed with PTSD knows this is substandard care.


PTSD is a serious condition that requires frequent monitoring when treatment begins. The re-living of the trauma through therapy makes the likelihood of self harm or self defeating behaviors much greater at the beginning of treatment.


If the patient is put on medications monitoring for side effects is essential. Doing assessment by phone and patient self report leaves the patient at a much greater risk.

Possible movement disorders need to be seen in person by a professional.


In the case of antidepressants it’s long been known since their first use a patient is most likely to be lethal at the onset of increased energy caused by the mediations. This requires more frequent assessments until its clear the patient is stabilized on the medication. The VA’s shortage of professionals and decreased face to face time with patients create a dangerous and substandard course of treatment.


I’ve used the term PTSD repeatedly to hammer home this is a condition that many returning troops face. It can insidiously kill some of those troops. It can cost the lives of family and friend. It can cause terrible tragedies to occur that could be prevented.

PTSD isn’t just the problem of the individual returning troops; it’s a problem for all Americans to take serious and demand our government do the right thing in treating.


The worst is still to come and the VA and military mental health services are lacking enough resources, trained staff and budget to treat the returning troops in appropriate and medically indicated ways.


In fact there are reports 90% of the mental health professionals in the military lack formal training in treating PTSD. The report also notes there is extreme burn out and lack of morale by the mental health providers in the combat zones.


It is not my intention to bash or denigrate the professionals treating the troops in the field or upon return. It is my intention to bring public awareness that supporting the troops needs to include provision of care that meets basic standards and is individualized. Supporting the troops needs to allow the returning troops the opportunity to return to the highest level of health possible.


I have 276 records of mainstream press reports related to returning troops having difficulty in readjustment to returning from Iraq or Afghanistan. The reports date back to the beginning of the war and run until 2006.


Here's a link to 147 of those reports:

http://timelines.epluribusmedia.org/timelines/index.php?&mjre=PTSD&table_name...
William Terry Leichner, RN

USMC combat infantryman - Vietnam (12/31/1968 -02/12/1969)

VVAW - Denver chapter

Co-founder of chapter in 1971 (please note there is a claim another chapter existed but since a national organizer was one of those helping to start the 1971 version, I assume the first chapter failed.)

You Want our Mail? I Got Your Mail Right Here!!

Boston Tea Party


Proposed Resistance to the Bush Violation of Mail Privacy

In light of the recent declaration by George W. Bush that the President of the United States has a legal right to read any American’s mail for reason of “national security” it is suggested “we the people” respond to this intolerable invasion and violation of basic principles of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.

For too many years we have seen the erosion of rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution by elected officials declaring untenable and illegal justification.

Throughout the Presidency of George W. Bush the American people have consented to the pillaging of the Constitution driven by fear and under the guise of “national security”.

This continued assault of our rights and freedoms must stop. The onerous suspension of so many rights since the events of September 11, 2001 represents the loss of the very freedoms this nation claims to be sending young men and women to war to protect.

When the English King George imposed an intolerable taxation upon the European settlers in North America, they responded with resistance and demonstration called the Boston Tea Party.

The American “King” George has greatly exceeded those abuses with outrageous imposition of restrictions upon the freedoms of the people of this republic.

Resistance and demonstration is not only called for, it’s become mandatory if we’re to end the illegal erosion of rights.

Therefore, to display the outrage and disdain for the latest abuse of the Presidency, the declaration of Presidential privilege to read the mail of the American citizen, it’s proposed there be the response of “voluntary” mail-in of the mail Americans most detest, anyway – junk mail.

This mail-in could last one day, one month or one year. It could last until this President revokes his declared privilege. It could be Americans collecting a day’s supply, a week’s supply or a month’s supply of this junk mail to be shipped to the White House through the United States Postal Service.

Groups and individuals could coordinate the timing of such a demonstration of our displeasure and resistance. Those fearing their names or other private information being exposed to this President and his followers could use the process of a “reverse Freedom of Information release”.

In the past information released to Americans under the Freedom of Information laws has often been blacked out to prevent much of the requested data truly being released. The use of this very tactic to protect private information in the proposed mail in should be considered.

While much graver issues face the people of this nation, the simple act of giving some response to this latest outrage of violating Constitutional law can be symbolic of the general disdain to the many violations already approved by the weak Legislative and Judicial branches of government to the Executive branch that has become far too powerful and arrogant.

The sheer volume of junk mail received by the average American citizen can be overwhelming to the individual. Collecting and forwarding such a volume enmasse can create a visible and symbolic resistance to the abuse of power by this President.

The symbol of rejecting the Presidential abuse by the “voluntary surrender” of junk mail should be a clear message of non-violent resistance. It can also serve to answer those Americans who give up their rights of privacy meekly saying “I have nothing to hide, so I don’t care if my government invades my privacy”.

This proposal is offered to heed the call for new tactics to resist the Empirical Presidency that has too frequently abused the citizens of this nation.

Volunteers of America Needed - Junk Mail Revolt!!

The following is a response to George Bush's declaration of Presidential "right" to open the mail of American citizens for reason of "national security".


I've decided to volunteer all the mail I get most for our beloved Dubya to review to make sure America's homeland is secure.

I average about 4-5 pieces of mail each day known as "junk mail" which I consider a threat to American security.

Not only does it irritate and create waste, junk mail solicits the obscene use of credit cards and consumerism that has caused a world-wide perception of Americans being crass and spoiled.

Since it's pretty well established Americans consume 1/4 of the world's natural resources despite being a population much less than 1/4th, the perception and resentment is well founded.


We as patriotic Americans truly need to look upon this junk mail
epidemic as a threat to our national security. Why you ask?

Well surely the resentment created by the constant encouragement of consumerism has resulted in making it much easier to recruit young and old throughout the world as terrorists.

Given this scenario, it just seemed logical if the Bush administration
feels they have the right to open mail in the name of homeland security they should start with our junk mail.

Tracing the persons or organizations creating this particular threat should be easy enough that even a dumb ass like Dubya can figure out who's responsible.

After the resolution of the junk mail threat I suggest we ask Bush to declare his right to monitor our prayers by making it mandatory to pray out loud.

Once this right is established, the prayers of those asking God or Allah or Buddha or Tom Cruise's god to strike Dubya and his crew with impeachment or the most terrible punishments possible can be determined.

Those praying such things would then be incarcerated at Guantanamo or a local McDonalds for as long as it takes to rehabilitate them. Or until their arteries are occluded enough to trigger a cardiovascular event resulting in brain damage.

Those rendered significantly brain damaged will then be asked to join the administration as cabinet members, TSA agents, Homeland security officers or FEMA workers.

Most sincerely and in the name of all patriotic Americans,

W.Terry Leichner

What Was Asked of Us

Trish Wood has written a new book about Iraq veterans called What Was Asked of Us. The book is an oral history of the war by the vets themselves. Included are the stories of three Colorado vets who are also friends of many activist vets here in Colorado...Garret Reppenhagen, Jeff Engleheart and Joe Hatcher. All three are very active in Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW).
I'm very proud to say I know these three incredibly talented veterans. All three are eloquent in their talk, their actions and in the story they have to tell us.
I marched with Garret and Joe in the Vets and Survivors Marchin' to New Orleans march last spring. It was a march from Mobile to New Orleans to bring the connection of the war's costs to the lack of support for Katrina survivors. During the march Joe and Garret were amazing in the telling of their stories.
I was also fortunate to work with Joe and Jeff along with Kelly Daugherty in a presentation here in Denver. All three told their story to a large group with great compassion and conviction. It took a good deal of courage and energy to do this with the emotional ordeal they have had to endure.
Trish has set up a site on myspace.com to promote her book. She has the recorded voices of Garret, Jeff and Joe on this page as well as photos.
The book was also subject of a lengthy article in The Week Magazine Dec 29-Jan 12 edition in the Last Word section (page 48-49). All three of our Colorado friends are quoted extensively from Trish's book.
Please take a moment to visit the site and buy the book if you can.
Thanks to Garret, Jeff and Joe for your continued dedication to bringing your brothers and sisters home and getting them the benefits they deserve.
And thanks to Kelly Daugherty, executive director of IVAW. Kelly has been a driving force to bring education and awareness about Iraq and Afghanistan to the American public. She's an original founder of IVAW and someone I also call a friend. She's from Colorado Springs. She now lives in Philly to carry out her duties with IVAW.
Kelly was also on the Mobile to New Orleans march and has been back to the area with Joe and other IVAW members to help in rebuilding.
Garret now works with Bobby Muller and Steve Robinson in D.C. advocating for veterans through Veterans For America. Bobby formerly headed Vietnam Veterans of America and Steve headed up the National Gulf War Resource Center.
Thanks to all who carry on with the struggle.

Peace and solidarity,

Terry Leichner, RN
USMC combat veteran - Vietnam
VVAW member in Denver