rhapsody, your wonderful graphic made me bawl.

you see, the armed forces didn't prepare for the psychological needs of the returning soldiers/marines/navy/airforce personnel. there aren't nearly enough psychologists (don't even think Pdocs) to see the returning people. getting an appointment is very difficult and it takes forever to see someone.

the way we would assume it goes is that the returning soldier is immediately signed up for "debriefing" and psychological support. there aren't enough people to see, at times, the very worst. they are hospitalized and wait their turn also. a lot of thought wasn't put into the needs of the folks who came back, whole, physically. on top of the officers like Josh, there are the 30K that returned maimed and at times, mentally impaired for life. resources that were thin before are stretched beyond belief now. a lot of these young people are going to fall through the cracks, just like my nephew did from Vietnam, and end up enduring a lifetime of mental illnesses with little or no help. my nephew was 52 years old before he received psychiatric help and was put on full disability from Vietnam. he went there when he was 18.

thank you all for your loving support for my family during the year that Josh has been gone. now, please lobby for more psychological support for those who return from the wars and for the families of the victims who don't return.

Josh is thrilled to be back in his home and will receive some time off next week. they hope to also spend Halloween with us here........

Thanks again, friends. pat