Sunday, September 23, 2007
Who was hurt
When the Republicans filibustered the Webb amendment? Not the Senate Republicans, they proudly showed their undying support for Our Dear Embattled Leader and His Republican Party War Against Iraq. Why they even got erstwhile Democrat Joe Lieberschmuck to vote with them, as usual. No, the ones hurt most are the families of the troops and the Army Times has a feature story on the terrible burden that Our Dear Embattled Leader and his Stooges have put on them.
They deserve so much better from our government.
Shanan Conklin couldn’t fight back her tears as she watched her husband, dressed in his Army uniform, play with their 16-month-old daughter.
A few short hours later, he would be on a plane, headed for 15 months in Iraq.
Two Christmases and more than 450 days of separation.
“My whole heart is right there,” Shanan Conklin said. “I tried making sure the bills were taken care of, making sure we took enough pictures, making sure we took enough walks, making sure we spent enough time together. As much as you do, I don’t think you’re ever prepared for it. I’m not ready. I’m not ready at all.”
At least eight of the Army’s 44 active-duty brigade combat teams have deployed three or more times. Another six, including three from the 101st Airborne Division, will leave this month or next for Round Three or Four; and three more brigades will deploy before January.But these people count as nothing compared to how badly Dear Leader would feel if he had to end the Republican Party War Against Iraq. And so they deploy and redeploy and redeploy and every time a few less come back standing up. And of those that do.
About 30 percent of Fort Drum soldiers screened three to six months after returning from deployments are referred to the post behavioral health clinic, said Todd Benham, the department chief.More stress on the family as these problems are treated and then 12 months is up and it is back again to make ODEL look good.
“We’re pretty aggressive about getting them seen,” he said. “Eighty-five to 90 percent are coming in for follow-up care. The biggest referral issues are [post-traumatic stress disorder], sleep or anxiety concerns and [traumatic brain injury].”
They deserve so much better from our government.
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