Veterans Day is November 11, but
this year the holiday falls on November 10. At least this year, Americans will
think about and honor our Veterans for two days instead of one.
The Capps family did double duty
bringing the veteran’s perspective to Morgan County Schools. My brother Tommy,
an Army Vietnam veteran. spoke at Versailles High School and my nephew Charles,
a Navy Iraq veteran, spoke at Stover High School.
The reality of war veterans is that
the majority of them are wounded warriors. Some wounds are undeniable because
they are visible, like Tommy’s wounds. Others have invisible wounds inflicted
by chemicals and other environmental factors. Agent Orange and chemical
exposure during other wars can be passed onto descendents, abroad and here at
home.
Equally debilitating are the heart
and soul wounds that battle within. Twenty-two veterans take their lives each
day. I hate to even think how many contemplate suicide or attempt suicide. I
know that Jim contemplated it many times.
There is no hard and fast evidence
that Jim’s dementia had anything to do with his military service in Vietnam. I
do know that he battled depression throughout most of his adult life. I also
know that he was exposed to Agent Orange. I know that he suffered from PTSD,
including flashbacks. I know that he had two complete mental breaks that
required hospitalization. I know that he took medication that had long-term detrimental
effects on his health.
Exactly how much Jim’s military
service contributed to his dementia may seem to be more intuitive than proven. Although
I had no luck convincing the VA that there was a connection, science is
beginning to catch up with my conviction.
Several studies on veterans who
have PTSD (or PTSS as it is now known) indicate that they are twice as likely
to develop dementia. When you consider that 30% of Vietnam veterans and 17% of
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have PTSS, the dementia connection needs to be
seriously addressed.
Our veterans deserve more than a
pat on the back or a “welcome home” in recognition of their sacrifices for our
country. They deserve the best health care for all their visible and invisible
wounds. As a nation, we have an obligation to reduce the risk of suicide,
dementia, and other health problems with a connection to military service.
Veterans are the folks who laid
their lives on the line for the rest of us. Some came home broken and it is
high time that the government does everything in its power to make them whole.
Can we ever have war without fatalities
and a host of wounded warriors? Will the world ever be at peace?
Until that utopia, we must take
care of our veterans. Every day needs to be Veterans Day.
Source: https://www.agingcare.com/articles/veterans-might-have-higher-risk-of-dementia-169916.htm
Copyright © November 2017 by L.S.
Fisher
#ENDALZ
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