OEF/OIF Suicide Toll and Reading Materials

I want to point you to a friends website PTSD Combat: Winning the War Within if you hadn't know about Ilona's work and research, or if you've visited but not in awhile.


And point you to her recent post OEF/OIF Veteran Suicide Toll: Nearly 15% of Overall U.S. Military Casualties Result from Suicide


I'm only going to give you a small snippet of her post, visit and read the rest, for there are a number of link backs giving one an open window in the problems that war and occupation theaters inflict on those who serve in them, as well as the people of the occupied and destroyed countries.

Back in February, the Marines released their military branch's updated suicide statistics. They revealed the number of Afghanistan and Iraq combat troops and veterans who took their own lives in 2007 had doubled over the previous year.

Earlier this month, the Army reported its own current soldier suicide data, reflecting another year of record increases. And just last week, the VA chimed in with their latest OEF/OIF veterans suicide figures -- also another record-breaker -- for its Afghanistan and Iraq veteran clients.

Gregg Zoroya of USA Today:

Visit above link to Ilona's site, there's much more than just this well researched post, much more, and the results of War, PTSD, TBI, the Maimed Physically and Mentally, must be placed up front and at the top of the list as War should be the Absolute Last Resort for any Democracy of the People to Lead by Example not by Destructive Policies creating hatreds and enemies!


Below you will find a list of great books, there are others, that should be read, understood, and referanced as to what needs to be done to help those who've been placed in these Hell's on Earth!!


First Ilona's terrific referance booklet of great information:


Moving A Nation to Care: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and America's Returning Troops


And a few more to add to the personal libraries and public libraries as well:


I Can Still Hear Their Cries, Even In My Sleep: A Journey Into PTSD



Veterans's PTSD Handbook: How to File and Collect on Claims for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder



After the War Zone: A Practical Guide for Returning Troops and Their Families



War and the Soul: Healing Our Nation's Veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder



Back from t Front: Combat Trauma, Love, and the Family



Heart of War: Soldiers' Voices From the Front Lines in Iraq



Blood Brothers: Among the Soldiers of Ward 57


As I said above, there are others in the bookstores and online book sources. To stop repeating the mistakes of destructive conflicts one, the majority that don't serve in them, must understand what conflicts do to their brothers and sisters, the few who do serve, and the damage done to any countries National Security, for the Innocents can and do become the Targets of the Blowback and Retaliation from Failed Policies!!!

Add On:

How the VA Abandons Our Vets

Sgt. Juan Jimenez had one of the most dangerous jobs in Iraq, ushering top Administration officials through the war-torn streets of Baghdad. He returned home with two Purple Hearts and shrapnel lodged in his right arm. Today he is gravely ill.

What Jimenez didn't realize is that before he could receive benefits for his wounds, he'd have to prove that those wounds came from war. Three and a half years later, the sergeant is still making his case. The Department of Veterans Affairs isn't convinced. And it won't give him his benefits until it is.
SNIP