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How To Talk To Veterans About The War - Ted Talks

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I believed he did a fine job expressing his feelings that included many of the things we talk about here. I'm sure most who haven't been outside the wire won't understand. But, it would help if they'd just listen.

I've writen to both Washington senators and my congressman trying to explain that It takes more than a bit of counseling and a perscripton for drugs to make a difference. I believe Jar was the one who was the first I heard call it a grind. I can't think of another word that discribes this never ending process better.

We live with a government that believes any problem can be solved by throwing more money at it. This site has done more to help me that any other single thing I've tried. And, it hasn't cost the government a damned dime, Bit, it's still only part of what it takes to bring us back home. IT'S A GRIND, AND ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD WON'T MAKE IT ANY THING ELSE.

SD
 
My service Wounded Warrior program conducted a recent survey via Rand. They wanted feedback as an active client and based on my response I got a call from the Program Manager at Air Staff (Pentagon). LOL! :ROFLMAO::LOL: They thought I'd have some useful feedback about the USAF's Wounded Warrior program and responsiveness (which is basically just another BS staffing funding source for Gov't civilians/contractors (much like the VA). Nope. Instead I attempted again, to ~25th bureaucrap with the same spiel, to enlighten them on how the Service can better care for us wounded (their clients). Basically, start with training the chain of command: Commanders & First Sergeants. They should live up to a primary pledge to TAKE CARE of their troops but due to a lack of education about PTSD, TBI, Gulf Syndrome, Agent Orange, etc... they fail. Why? Because they have little to no training or preparation for the reality of post-combat complications. So they react with little ability to deal with it and usually end-up relying too much on personnel pukes trained to use the UCMJ to cover the Chain of Command with threats & reprimand versus research & accommodation of sick, injured warriors. Cover your own ass first! :poop: Take care of your troops if you have time.

If the Services themselves can't even get it straight....f*ck it! :notworthy: So now I've finally learned to expect very little (I still hope for a random breakthrough) from my friends or even family to communicate usefully for my purposes. I allow them shallow conversation without my judgment (LIE: I try to not judge if the beast is kind). Waste of my time. So we isolate. Find a battle buddy. Tell some war stories, maybe get to smile. :cool: Try to breathe. Focus on the future. Limit the pain. Try to sleep. :sleep: Move on. Building a new life with the beast as my closest companion. :ninja:
 
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Spock said. "Building a new life with the beast as my closest companion. :ninja:" It took me a long time to get my head around that concept. But, accepting it opened up many doors for me. I learned to quit fighting myself, and make the adjustments necessary to get through the day.

Accepting the Dragon as part of me gave me reasons to try meds., yoga, counseling, this site, excercise, and all the things that make up so much of my day. Recognizing the Dragon's power showed me why I have to try so hard to continue all that I must do.

Thanks Spock.

SD
 
Why is this thread needed? I thought it was customary to open all conversations with veterans by saying, "Did you kill anyone?" Like they teach that crap in school or something.

Smart ass aside, thanks for posting.
 
SD said "Accepting the Dragon as part of me"

That Brothers & Sister is the FIRST answer to the Beast/Dragon question. Accepting, not fighting.......just Accepting!!!! It did not come easy for me, but after 4 years of it (hard work) accepting things of the Beast has made life some what easier to deal with. Knowing the Beast is part of who I am and that he will be with me till the end............At my age I can deal with that........Fighting the Beast is when you try and change who you are, that I don't think will ever work, never worked for me. Just made things worse as he will fight the change.....Why? Easy, he is you......

J R
 
SD said "Accepting the Dragon as part of me"

That Brothers & Sister is the FIRST answer to the Beast/Dragon question. Accepting, not fighting.......just Accepting!!!! It did not come easy for me, but after 4 years of it (hard work) accepting things of the Beast has made life some what easier to deal with.
J R
True, just have to fight the system to work on anything so hard it becomes out of reach.
 
Such a good video. It opens my eyes to that even though we struggle with stuff we still need to do more than focus on just our struggle and see how we can use our struggle to be better and to help
 
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