I don't think the general public can ever imagine the cost on these men and their familys that war has taken from them.  I don't ever wish to see or feel the things these men and women have to face in war.  God Bless them all.

Thank you for your coverage of this matter.  I am a combat veteran and know intimately what these men suffer.  There has not been a day, even an hour go by since I killed a man in close combat just after the terrorist attack on the Marine Barracks in Beirut.  I had been properly trained for that moment.  However, I don't think any amount of training would have prepared me for all I have experienced since that moment.  Thank you again for recognizing what our fighting men and women must endure.

I wish the story would be done on the post tramatic stress disorder these men and women are suffering from on return from Iraq. The recent tragedy of Staff Sergent Travis Twiggs should be at the top of the story. Our warriors/heros deserve better than what they are getting. In case you have not heard the story, google Travis Twiggs. This man, father, husband was a hero.

America Soldier

We were that which others did not want to be.
We went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do.
In a strange and distant land.

We asked nothing of those who gave us nothing,
And reluctantly accepted the feeling of Eternal
Loneliness Should we fail.

We have seen the face of terror and felt the cold
Reality of fear
We have cried Anguished and Hoped.
Living through times that most say was best forgotten.

We have known brotherly love and deep affection of
Those with whom we have served.
We hold dear the memory of their sacrifices.
Knowing that we did what was expected of us.
Even when those at home did not agree.

But most of all…After all was said and done.
And the smoke of the battlefield has cleared.
We know in our Hearts that all those who suffer
The wounds of survival
Can hold their heads high.!
Proud of what we were!

 American Soldiers Doing Our Duty



CH(COL) Larry V. Ager
                   Vietnam Veteran    Chaplainlarry@yahoo.com     239-573-8910

My brother, Sp4 Stanley D. Ross, was killed in Vietnam on Oct 20,1969 in a fire fight. For 37 years his death was a part of my life, a wound deep in my soul. I decided to revisit the trunk in my parents basement that held his personal artifacts, pictures,flip flops,foot powder,a transister radio, and "the letters"
I decided to read them and put them in a book. With the help and contributions of many of his buddies who served with Stan in Vietnam in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade,Charlie Co. 2/3 and the letters Stan wrote to me, I published, "With Love Stan: A Soldier's Letters From Vietnam To The World."
As a result of this, our family has experienced a healing that we never imagined.
Thank God I revisited my grief. Like Mr. Luttrel, it is something that almost takes on a spritual life of it's own, and takes us places we never imagined.
Each of us should reach out and help those who gave so much and received so little.
Thanks for a fine report Mr.Morrison
A grateful sister,
Karen

America Soldier


We were that which others did not want to be.
We went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do.
In a strange and distant land.

We asked nothing of those who gave us nothing,
And reluctantly accepted the feeling of Eternal
Loneliness Should we fail.

We have seen the face of terror and felt the cold
Reality of fear
We have cried Anguished and Hoped.
Living through times that most say was best forgotten.

We have known brotherly love and deep affection of
Those with whom we have served.
We hold dear the memory of their sacrifices.
Knowing that we did what was expected of us.
Even when those at home did not agree.

But most of all…After all was said and done.
And the smoke of the battlefield has cleared.
We know in our Hearts that all those who suffer
The wounds of survival
Can hold their heads high.!
Proud of what we were!

 American Soldiers Doing Our Duty



CH(COL) Larry V. Ager  OHMR ret
                   Vietnam Veteran    Chaplainlarry@yahoo.com     239-573-8910

You never forget! But by the grace of God. And support of people who care You go on...

Hi,
I run regular weekend workshops in "Radical Forgiveness," helping people let go of painful pasts.  It is limited to 15 people but I would like to offer some scholarship places to Iraq vets who are suffering from PTSD.  How can I best make this known?  I also do one called Radical Self Forgiveness which would be the one for those who have killed and have difficulty getting beyond it like the people in the Dateline segment. I would offer free scholarships for that too. I know it would help.  I've been doing this work for more than 11 years and I've seen it change thousands of people's lives.  It is a spiritual approach but religion neutral.

Another book of more scholarly approach is "Perpetration-Induced Traumatic Stress: The Psychological Consequences of Killing," published by Praeger but also out in paperback. It covers a lot more of the stats for combat veterans, and also covers people who carry out executions and other forms of killing where it's expected for the job.

There used to be an idea that killing was part of human nature -- a rather strange idea considering that most people don't do it. But getting traumatized by doing it suggests that it's actually against our nature. I think it's high time we learn that.  

My son has been serving in the United States Air Force for five years.  While on leave last December I found myself clinching my 23 year old son while he cried like a baby begging for forgiveness.  He finally told me that while deployed to Qatar last summer, he volunteered to convoy weapons and munitions to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.  During the last trip to Iraq the convoy was ambushed.  My son only told me a few details after I assured him I wouldn't feel any different about him.  He told me some of what he witnessed and that he thinks he killed someone.  I did my best to assure him that he did what he was trained to do and was necessary to protect his family, which at that time was his unit and convoy.  He has returned to his assigned base and has had some issues which have resulted in him getting 'written up' and has had disciplinary issues.  I watched the 'Coming Home' episode that aired tonight and heard the young men who have served in Iraq say some of the same things my son said to me.  I would like to have a copy of this episode to send to my son so he'll know he's not the only one feeling the same things he's feeling.  I feel it would be of tremendous help to him.  He says he's sought counsel a few times since returning to his base, but has also said that he doesn't want to be labeled as having any mental issues.  I'm very fortunate my son and I have a very close and open relationship.  Please help me help my son and the many other sons and daughters who are going through the same thing.

A REALITY OF WAR... AND THE AFTERMATH.

At age 17 I join the Army. After basic training I heard of the so called (police-action) taking placing in Korea.  I, like many others young troopers volunteered for duty there. I was  assigned to the  last all-Black Combat Unit the 24th Infantry Regiment, Combat Team, originally known as the BUFFALO SOLDIERS.  The Korean war was the last conventional war, trench to trenches fighting.  I fought through nine (9) blooded months of it as a Combat Infantry Rifleman.

War, I soon learned, was nothing like the ones fought in movies...

It was years after the war that I realized, the different between a good war and a bad war...
Like there's a different between killing and cold-blooded murder,, especially those that have no defense. Or invading another people country to control their resources.

Although it's not the military that make wars, its the politicians... Soldiers fight, kill and die in them. And for those of us that survive war, a life time of nightmares,  
that many of us will carry to our graves.

Curtis J. Morrow
A. Korean War veteran.
1950 to 1951.

Author of:
WHAT'S A COMMIE EVER DONE TO BLACK PEOPLE?

I KNOW what the vets are going through! I have Complex PTSD and mild TBI-Traumatic Brain Injury from standing at a pedestrian crosswalk and being hit by van that was hit by a hit and run and head through windshield and pulverized left knee, etc, and landed 50 feet in a Taco Bell parking lot and my head took yet another blow when hitting pavement. They have done lots of research on me at Vanderbilt University Medical Center because I am the only one on this planet who developed PTSD with the left amygdala removed a year and a half before being hit. I had seizures 40 of 44 years and they removed the left amygdala and part of the hippocampus and scar tissue on the left temporal lobe. I for the first time in my life, seizure free and never healthier. Then hit, due to an ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT..20 year old Rubin Otero fom Mexico who the court released him and dismissed 4 of the 5 counts and all he was charged with was  leaving the scene. Me-a lifelong disability and Complex PTSD and mild TBI-Traumatic Brain injury! The PTSD came around about 4 to 6 onths after being hit. I STILL have the nightmares, flashbacks, ALWAYS on the watch and will not get on a sidewalk or in a parking lot. I hear sirens, see the flashing red, orange, blue lights, it ALL comes back. They took my case to Hawaii this February and met with researchers and presented my case and they now know the need to focus on the right amygdala.
       If you do not believe me, you can email: Stephen Smith
Department of Psychology
University of Winnipeg
515 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada  R3B  2E9
email:s.smith@uwinnipeg.ca

I volunteered with the Viet Nam Vets in Tampa, FL. in the 80's and now know what they have been going through and still going through and see a lot at the VA hospital. I hope that the research they have done on my brain will lead to help for them. It DOES change you! You are never the same person.

Your story has touched me deeply. Very close to a Marine home from two back to back tours in Iraq suffers from PTSD. The invisible wounds are very deep and very hard for a mother to understand.  I ordered the book immediately hoping it will help me help him. Bless You Sir

I wish that no one has to be placed in a situation where they have to decide between their life and the life of our perceived enemies.  Bring the boys back home.

even if you never saw those who you know you killed in war, having known that haunts you for life. People like our current "commander in chief" who have never been near such events, can not understand nor  seem to care what war does to people who end up having to kill and must live with that forever.

Thank you for the episode On Killing's Cost.  I have fortunately not lost someone close to me in the global war on terror.  I am a dedicated VA employee and employee representative through the American Federation of Government Employees at a VA facility.   Our facility specializes in the treatment of Veterans who have experienced PTSD, major depression and other service related mental health issues.  For more than 2 years, our AFGE Local has lobbied Congress because our mental health professionals were concerned that soldiers were self-treating PTSD symptoms using alcohol and other controlled substances and were not getting appropriate treatment due to the stigma attached with PTSD by the military and the public.  This substance abuse appeared to be having an adverse impact on soliders' discharge status, treatment eligibility, and their chances of living healthy productive lives upon return to home often because they either did not know about treatment or were afraid to seek it.  Fortunately, Congress has provided some support and VA has increased mental health services for soldiers coming home but more still needs to be done by Congress, the military and VA for these brave men and women.  Education is needed to help the soldiers and the public understand that it is most healthy for each individual and our country to acknowledge that PTSD exists, to understand and recognize the symptoms, and to be able to obtain treatment without the fear of stigma.  

As a heartbroken mother, I know too well the aftermath of war, of killing.  My beautiful 23 year old son, who fought in Baghdad, came home a different person, a tormented soldier. He was frightened to seek mental health care at the VA because of the "stigma" attached.  I was finally able to get him to the VA emergency room.  He was turned away, despite my protests.  I warned the first year intern who "evaluated" him that he would commit suicide.  He didn't listen to me.  Three month later my son almost died of a drug overdose and suffered a severe anoxic brain injury.  He spent a year in a VA hospital.  I quit my faculty position as a neurology nurse practitioner and now care for him 24/7 at home with minimal help.  They have denied him service-connection disability so we live on minimal income and the future is bleak.  They have not even discharged my son although he cannot talk, walk, or eat without a feeding tube.  I have not been able to find assistance from the veterans organizations although Bob Dole's office has offered to help.  I have a 22 year old son who has just returned from 16 months of combat in Afghanistan who is dealing better with his experiences.  But I remember all the nights before Steven's accident, his nightmares, his recklessness, and difficulting concentration, and his re-experiencing or watching people die, both enemy and fellow soldiers. He was a gunner and trained as a sniper. The army has turned their back on him.  I am committed to sharing the story of my son, and the VA's lack of caring, so that other's will know one more truth to this war.  I hope I can help other's who have to navigate the labyrinth of bureaucracy to obtain the help needed.  I know help is out there.  I want my son's life, and his courage,to stand for something positive, not only for him, but for other soldier's and loved ones.  

As an Iraq war Infantry vet, I was very impressed by the story told.  However I note something different between 'Nam and Iraq.... I'll never forgive the insurgents.  Even though NVA were our enemies, they still were Soldiers, and very good at that.  Our enemies in Iraq are nothing but pond scum, who behead, rape, plunder and pillage, who mass murder the very people they claim to be defending.  To say that they are Soldiers is to forget that they are truly ruthless murders.  Perhaps my views will change in 30 years, but I doubt it.  There will not be the same kind of closure for Iraq war vets as there as been for vets of previous wars.

Mr. Sturla, I recommend that you read Lt. Col. Dave Grossman's companion volume to "On Killing" titled, "On Combat."  It is not surprising at all that killing can result in PTSD.  If you read both of Grossman's books completely, you find that there are actions that can be taken to create a "bullet-proof mind," which is to say that a soldier can be conditioned to more quickly recover from the trauma of taking another life in combat.  Given that wars will occur, that those wars require bloodshed, and that boodshed is a psychological trauma, the humane thing to do for our soldiers is to give them the support they need to deal with the taking of human life that we ask of them.  When we see numerous soldiers coming home with PTSD, the question to ask is why this happens in spite of knowling how to minimize it (as detailed in Grossman's books).  We know what to do, we're not doing it, and that failure is causing undue suffering for our soldiers.

I work for the Department of Veteran Affairs and am a Veteran.  What disturbs me the most when I hear stories like this is what the VA is not doing.  That is hiring the best and brightest personnel.  For years now I have been trying to get the VA to consider and hire Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.  The VA refuses to consider these professions except in Veteran Centers (very limitedly) and will not hire these professionals at thier outpatient mental health facilities (or for that matter anywhere in the mental health system). Who is to blame? Social Work Services who proudly advertise that the VA is the biggest employer of Social Workers.  The VA would rather protect professions than recruit and hire the best and brightest in the mental health professions.  The must frustrating part of this is that no one will do anything about it. Not the VA no the government and not the press.

From the Mother of a VietNamVet...I cried the whole show.  My son was in the AirForce on a refueling tanker and I thought he was not on the ground in combat.  Years later he still could not talk about his life there or function as before.  He is dead now but I still grieve for what he went through.

I can only hope that the military is truly recognizing
the emotional sacrifices that these soldiers are making and that the military can get past the macho imagines that these men and women have to live up to and get to the business of healing them emotionally, we owe them that much. My heart goes out to each and every one of them in their search to truly come home. God bless you

"ON COMBAT" by Lt Col Dave Grossman and Loren Christensen is helpful when learning to deal with taking a life. I would recommend it for all military and law enforcement families. As someone who killed a man in self defense, I have come to know that living with "everything that comes after" sometimes takes more strength and courage than "surviving" the battle.

I was in Iraq in 2004.  I had just turned 21 when I was flown into the country.  My experiences there haunt me on a current basis.  There are things that I can never tell my family including my wife which makes it very difficult for me.  I haven't been able to move on and this story has helped me realize, i'm not the only one.  I have been trying to overcome my issues but they just don't seem to go away.  I haven't had much help from the VA where I'm from.  It seems they only want to prescribe me pills and then get me out of the door.  It has been very tough and I'm glad the truth is starting to come out as to what we have had to live with.  The pictures I have remind me everyday of my experiences but I can't seem to move on.  I hope your story will open the eyes to many that do not understand why we come home different than before we left.  Thank you!
SINCERELY,
James Henderson

It has been 30 years since I returned from Viet Nam and my PTSD gets worse everyday.  I have been in treatment at the VA Portland, Oregon and thought I was starting to make some progress and now the VA in its infanate wisdom has changed the treatment for PTSD.  Now, the rules state that each veteran is limited to 10 psychiatric sessions.  We are supposed to be cured in 10 sessions.  I have been in therapy for over 10 years and still have a long way to go but, with the new guidelines I am SOL.  What about all of the new soldiers coming home now?  They don't stand a chance in getting well.  Is this really how American's want their veterans treated?  The only way things can be changed is for everyone to contact their representatives and President Bush.  We need your help.

I completed my tour in Vietnam and was let out of the Army on Memorial Day 1968.  Even though shot at, mortered at, rocketed at, hand-grenaded at, I refused to shoot back; because I knew that I would kill that person, or maim him.  I am so surprised that people who accept Jesus for whom he turned out to be, to think that "just war" allows one to kill.  Never mind that Viet Nam wasn't even a"just war" as WW2 is looked at; what do think is going to happen to certain people come judgment day?  Do you really think that God does want us to kill people?  Was that part of Jesus's message?  I know that if I pulled that trigger, that the person I'm aiming at is going to die.  That, my friends, is pre-meditated murder.  If I die, or if my family dies, because I didn't kill the misguided, before he did a dumb act, I'll be one more who didn't go against God.  By the grace of God, see you in Heaven!  William Oliver Brunelle

I made a point not to kill or hurt anyone even before the Army taught me how to kill with the utmost accuracy.  You may think that God told you to kill a person; He certainly did not tell me to take another's life.  In fact, Jesus told us just the opposit.  What do you think Jesus's message was?  This thinking kept me from experiencing post-tramatic syndrone.  Unlike  many Viet Vets, I can talk openly with those who weren't there, as well as with those who were.  I wasn't even supposed to be drafted, as the Army finally classified me as legally blind whenever I didn't have my glasses on (while being shot at in the Mekong Delta in 1967 & 1968).  Bill Brunelle
       

Am I the only person bothered that of all days NBC could have aired this story they choose Memorial Day? The ONE day of the year we honor the American soldiers killed by our nations enemy's in battle? Rather than focus on Americas dead, NBC chooses to focus on dead communists and terrorists, taking a bizarre approach to survivors guilt. Typical of the liberal anti-military media. I think it was in very poor taste. But maybe it's just me.

How do I get a DVD or video of May 25 program?
Friends who are traumatized by having killed the
enemy would benefit from this documentary.

I was profoundly touched by the dateline "Coming Home" May 25. My oldest son (22yrs) became a Reconnaissance Marine last summer.He is very proud of this accomplishment. I am very proud as well and at the same time understandably very concerned and worried about this job he has chosen to do.He is still state side training for his deployment. When he joined the Marines a year and a half ago my first biggest fear besides him either being killed or badly wounded was right up there with the nightmare of what kind of psychological condition will he be in when he returns from a tour. My son is just like these other brave and couragous men with beautiful souls interviewed in Keith Morrisons story.He also is very intelligent,articulate,athletic,handsome,and a very sweet sensitive soul.As a mother I try and keep positive thoughts in my head praying in positive ways for the best outcome and yet I have  already  been weeping at night for my son and all the other brave souls, over the reality of the mental torment that they suffer or may suffer in the future.My son volunteered for the Military for many reasons.Like these other men it has given him structure,a purpose,a huge sense of accomplishment,pride and success.For that I am very grateful. Being honest and knowing the reality of war my heart aches thinking of the torment all these men and women suffer. Keith Morrison said, "How can we serve the soldiers who are serving us."How can we change protocol in the military so that when these soldiers come home they and their families can get quality mental health care so they can have absolution and recieve better coping techniques to deal and carry on as normally as possible in their lives. These men and women and their families do not deserve a lifetime of torment.What resources are out there so I can help to set up a healthier support system.God Bless all our military brave souls.

As my husband and I ate supper last light, we were contemplating the scars left on soldiers from wars. We are both from rural areas in Alberta, Canada. My father served almost 5 years in the second world war and his dad served for about a year. The only references my dad made in respect to his service was comments regarding people he met and his disdain for armed conflict of any kind.  My husband spoke of a time he heard his uncle discussing and incident with his dad (after quite a few drinks) that ended with him driving over a German soldier in a tank. My husband said there was a long silence after this. I speculated that the invisible wounds were possibly worse that ones that were visible to the eye. I came to realize many years ago that the argument that war is a "natural instint/act" of human beings had to be incorrect or the mental suffering that we witness wouldn't be so prevelant. The most we can do with this information is to put our money where our mouths are and truly "support our troops" by acknowledging what their reality is and do all we can to help them heal. And the next time the call to war is made, put political and monetary motives aside and weigh the true costs that will reverberate for decades to come.

The general public do not understand. My son who was 19 years old STg 1st Class Joshua Silverman US Air Force is currnetly be held in The Multnomah county Jail Looking at 75 months min. in the State jail. His roommate has know idea what PTSD is. She pushed him into a breaking Point and He blacked out and then tried to commit suicide. She call the police and the C.E.R.T. team. Six hours later a call came to his parents. The county will not allow treatment in the jail. So he sits on drugs to keep him calm until trail. I gave the United states a bright young man. Now he is broken and we are trying to bring him home the rest of the way. Today we wait to see if the VA will come to visit him in jail. This is hard because he is my only child. This is the cost of war, and ppepole who have had their freedom do not understand the cost. My father dealt with this from the Koren war my husband from Vietnam. when are we going to learn? We need to support our troups oversea's and at home.

My husband served in VN from 12/68 to 10/69 with 101 Airborne.  We both sat in tears watching this Dateline episode.  It was so.o.o real to him because the experience Rich Luttrell had was almost identical to one he had.  As Rich's wife said, the soldiers keep it all inside and very private.  It took a long time for my husband to even talk about what he saw or experienced at all much less when it was a split second decision he had to make whether to shoot for his life or not come home to a new wife and new born daughter.  I can count on one hand how many times I've seen him cry.  One very disturbing time was when we went to the theatre to watch "We Were Soldiers".  He left the area 3 times and came back wet eyed. Yes, the war has taken something away from him and our family.  We have experienced some traumatic incidents which have scared and, of course, wish they never happened.  But they did happen and I blame PTSD from his time in VN for the actions.  Not all wives (or husbands)are as understanding or even try to understand and they are the ones who are now divorced.  You don't just toss them aside if you really love them...you do all you can to get help.  He now gets help from VA, but they still deny compensation without letters, etc from exploded incidents which may have occurred due to PTSD.  How cruel.  Isn't it enough that his conditioning during the war has caused a pysological effect, that now VA is requesting him to broadcast that he has a problem by making him get signed letters from others. We only knew each other for 5 mos (and were only married 2 months) before he went to VN.  That will be 40 yrs ago in December. With all that we as a family has gone through, he is still my best friend and I will do anything to help.  It is pretty hard to explain to our adult children for them to completely understand why situations happened or continue to happen.

We watched the Dateline story on May 25th at 7pm about the interview with the soldiers coming home from Iraq.  One of the soldiers Garett Reppenhagen is our grandson.  He is now studying to be a History Teacher in Colorado.  I would like to know how we can get a video of the interview with all three of the boys.  Thank You

I saw Coming Home Sunday, the night before Memorial Day. To me, it was anti-war propaganda sadly misplaced on a weekend to honor all veterans. Nothing in it honored veterans memories. I was the first president and cofounder of Huntington Women In Support Of Our Men In Vietnam [Huntington, New York]. We started the organization to help build the morale of our home town veterans returning to a country blaming them for the war. Lyndon Baynes Johnson ran a a peace candidate and lost that war before any troops were committed. The organization started in 1966 because wounded men from Huntington were picketed in St Albans Naval Hospital by people dressed like Viet Cong. The same thing is happening to wounded Iraq veterans. Your program contributes to animosity toward veterans. I'd like to send a book I wrote about the era. The women did get the first memorial in the United States erected in 1972. They welcomed Capt. David E. Baker home from a prison camp the following year. Over 400 women participated. Some visited the wounded in St. Albans. They met in Huntington and shared experiences, sent packages, got an Honor Roll erected. The news focused on protestors. We had our own protest going, but many considered it supporting war.

I saw Coming Home the night before Memorial Day. There was nothing in the story to honor veterans. It was another blame the veteran piece that caused them a lot of suffering, including the one in the story who felt guilty for most of his life.

Thank you so much for bringing attention to this issue.  My Father, a vet of the Korean War, did not die in the war, but the war killed him.  He could not cope with the aftermath.  He went to confession when he returned from Korea.  The priest asked him if he had killed anyone.  He replied that he did not know as he had closed his eyes every time he pulled the trigger. The priest told him to leave and not return to church.  He died of alcholism at the age of 50.  As a small girl I heard his drunken ramblings of regret.  Regrets that haunted him his entire life.  Regrets that the church in which he was raised could not forgive.

The Dateline NBC program did more than honor our men and women in uniform - It opened many eyes.  To say that this program is anti-war or has any kind of "liberal media content" is absurd. This program did not honor the men that these American's killed, it recognized them and the impact these men had on our American troops. The program honors these American men and all of our other veterans who have actually been there, and have been put in this situation. It doesnt matter who you kill or how evil you may think the other person, it is a person never the less. This video honored our men in uniform on Memorial Day because it opened many eyes.  We honor the fallen, we honor those that have been physically wounded, let us honor those that have been affected in a way most of you people will ever know.  This is common sense people - And it is not just the fact that these men killed the enemy, it is the extreme fear that is associated with that kill that gets to many people - that fear is what got to me and still haunts me today - I felt honored that this program aired.  Thank you for showing this Video on Memorial Day Weekend  - From a Very Conservative USMC RET Combat Vet(Infantry)  

I watched "Coming Home" with interest, understanding of PTSD, and sadness.  I am a 66 year old school counselor, a WWII War Orphan, and am anti-war for many reasons.  I cried through much of this story.  I wonder what it would be like to receive a picture of my Dad and me from the Japanese soldier who killed him.  I was 2 years old.  My brother was 5 years old and has grieved all these years as well as my paternal grandparents.  My Dad was an only child.  When I was 15 and my grandmother was saying the Rosary, I asked what she was praying for---"Your Dad", she said, " to make sure he would get to heaven."  It makes perfect sense that soldiers would feel sadness at killing in war.  I had a stepfather who was in a Japanese POW camp for 3 years and the Battaan death march.  He never talked about it, but definitely became an alcoholic.  I am sure his nightmares were PSTD.  I can't image the horrors, which is why I am so opposed to the hatred that terrorist and dictators rant about.   However, I do fault the Veteran's organizations for not providing enough necessary mental and physical help and health care.  I talk to WWII and VN veterans who complain about difficulty with getting assistance; and I feel ashamed that our government doesn't take more pride in taking care of our vets.  Please help these solders.  I know there is fear for them to say anything, but this attitude from the leadership needs to change. These solders did what they were taught by parents, schools, churches, and government in honoring and protecting their country.  USA should do no less.  Dateline did a great job in the understanding and honoring of our soldiers: the dead, the wounded, both emotionally and physically, and the loved ones who also are effected.  God Bless the USA!

I missed seeing the story "Coming Home "that aired May 25th on Dateline. One of the men interviewed Garett Reppenhagen, is my brothers grandson.I read the transcript and would like a video
of the story.

Every synonym for the word ``wonderful'' can be offered to Keith Morrison and those who worked with him on ``Coming Home.'' If their effort is not rewarded with acclaim and award from many entities that determine such things, that spectrum of the world of communications is not quite right. It is my hope that further rebroadcasts will be seen by many, many Americans who missed its debut.  

thank you for this exceptional program. for me it went right to the heart of what these dedicated soldiers endure for a lifetime. it truly brings home the adage "war is hell" . Thank you for your service although we can never truly repay you. How can i get a video of this segment??

Thanks for this powerful presentation of Viet Nam Veteran Rich Luttrell's journey to break free from that one battlefield event and haunting photo that expressed a thousand words and emotions to Rich. This program was very emotionally moving and I thank God for veterans like Rich Luttrell, a real man and human being. My prayers for families of veterans coming back from repeated tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our country and its leaders need to be held accountable for our troubled veterans. I'm disturbed by those who think that all we do is pat them on the back and say "Go get them and makes us proud " Then sing " And we'll all be glad when Johnny comes marching home "  It's incredibly naive to think about our veterans in that matter. This program moved me to take flowers to my father's ( Served in WWII ) gravesite the next day.    

I know first hand how these men are having troubles as they return from war.  My husband served with the 82nd airborne during the March 03 invasion.  While he was in Iraq he got orders for Korea, then to top it off while he was in Korea he had to go back to Iraq with the 2nd Infantry.  He served as 50cal gunner on the point truck.  The stress was incredible and he still lives with it every single second of every single day!  It doesn't matter if we are having a great family moment, those thoughts of iraq are still there taking over his good thoughts.  He has been away in the VA system for a little over 3 months now and is to return in 2 days!  He will need this sort of care for the rest of his life and will still live with this devil!  There are so many soldiers out there who make stories up about what they did and saw while in Iraq and it angers me, because I know what my husband and my family continues to go thru bc of what he did in iraq.  but the facts in this show were great...i will be sure to make my famliy watch the show so hopefully they can better understand things.  Becuase the average person will never understand what he is going thru...and it breaks my heart!  
I thought it was a great show that shed some light on what some of our men are dealing with....you nailed it!!!

Us Americans need to realize that just because your soldier made it home doesn't mean your in the clear.  They have a whole new battle to fight when they get home!  (especially for the infantrymen)

War Criminals

It’s not the ones that fight in wars
That maim and kill and then are scared
For what they have done
To fathers and sons
For this they got a golden star

It’s the profiteers that shed no tears
That we should know and taught to fear
They are the ones
Saw war as fun
Speeding away in fancy cars

My name is Valentin Espinoza. I watched "Coming home". I served in Iraq with Jesse Odom and I have been diagnosed with PTSD. I would like to say that I too, have had many problems with getting help from the VA here in the state of Washington. As Odom stated we lost a friend, brother and one great Marine in Chip Wicks. How many more of our brothers have to die, before they wake up and realize that we do need help. I have written a letter to a Senator Murray, detailing some problems I have gone through. With me and Odom keeping in contact and trying to get the message out their, he honored me in printing my letter in his book, "Through Our Eyes." But I just want to say to Jan McRaven, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, that I feel your pain of asking and waiting. I believe it is a great tragedy that has happened to your son, our country and the system has failed him. May God Bless the both of you.

This was very interesting. I am also a Vietnam vet and suffer from PTSD.  I have a story that I would like to share if you are interested.

Date Line.NBC.com                                  5-25-08



Gentlemen: I did not hear the program that you aired today but a real good friend of mine said that I was to tell you about a Church Service that I attended several years ago at a Methodist Church that my great grandfather, John Wesley DeVilbiss  founded many years ago at Oak Island, Texas. The Church is on loop 1604 that circles the south side of San Antonio, Texas. The new Toyota Truck plant is with in about a mile of this old historical Church and commentary. The sign at the Church says it is Methodist Historical Sight number one. My great grandfather preached the first protestant sermon preached in San Antonio, Texas and taught the first formal education taught in San Antonio. The commentary next to the old Church which is still in service has a lot of circuit rider preachers and veterans buried there.

Every y ear on Armed Forces day the Church has a Military Chaplin come and hold the service. . Flags are placed on all the service personnel’s graves; the roll is called of all the military buried in the commentary. . Pledge of allegiance is said and taps is blown for the roll call.

There were quiet a few of us veterans that was worried about the fighting that we had to do darning the war. In my case I had over 420 days of combat with the 36th Infantry division as an artillery captain. Over 360 days was spent as an artillery liaison officer with the Infantry... The infantry had 300 % causalities but thank God I was never touched by any hostile fire.  I was in every battle the 36th Infantry Division fought in World War 11. The Infantry colonel that I worked with believed in artillery so we directed the fire of anything that would shoot including the old TEXAS battleship.

I made a point to never see close up what I had done. Some times I leveled every building that held enemy fire. You worry if God is going to hold you accountable for the terrible destruction you have done.

The Chaplin that day did more to ease my conscious than any other preacher had ever been able to do.. He told us that we were fighting a battle for God. Then he called all the veterans up to the front of the alter. All the ministry present laid their hands on every veteran’s head and a prayer was said for each man. This service made it much easier to sleep every night. I use to fight the war every night Five or six years ago the Veterans administration finally gave me a 30% disability on my hearing but no compensation and they gave 30% disability on my war nerves and 30% disability pay.

After 5years and 3 months in the service before discharge I put in for no compensation. I was so thankful for the Lord having taken such good care of me during the fighting that all I wanted was out. Here I an 90 years old and in excellent health, makes me wonder why God is still keeping me around

I  was awarded the Silver star, the bronze star and a oak leaf cluster instead of a second bronze star, the french  cuoix de gare, a division ciation,  five bronze batt,e stars, two arror heads for anbivous landings.



John d. bennett, 92 gateway n. dr. apt 52, marble falls,  texas

78654 -6365,   jbennett@tstar.net

I am a retired Social Science Teacher and a USAF Vet who served in England during the Vietnam War. I used the original Dateline story on Rich Luttrell to show my High School Students the cost of going to war.  My son has now served two tours in Iraq with the Army Nat. Guard. His First Sgt was killed in an IED Explosion and his own Humvee was hit by another.  One of his other Sgts was killed (he was drinking and driving)in an Automobile accident shortly after their return from Iraq.  I am deeply concerned about the price that these and previous Vets will pay after their service is over. We owe them much more than we can obviously repay them for their sacrifices.

I am wondering on some of the stats from the broadcast of Coming Home: could the Rand Corporation's report of 200,000-300,000 soldiers with PTSD you quote reflect a better picture of mortality rates among the Iraqi's war dead since the outset of the war five years ago than the official line of 30,000+ war dead and 38,000 with PTSD to coalition forces? Please respond, thank you.

I a Chip Wicks' Dad.
Thanks to ALL of oyu for your comments & thoughts.

Chip was a great guy, son, brother, uncle & friend.

To those who say this program was  biased or not honoring the Vets- i think we saw different programs.
The vet who returned the photo should be honored for respecting his foe , regardless of his personal politics.
As to other vets, it shows the invisible wounds suffered by many - some in silence ( like my next door neighbor, my cousin & my friends), some who overcome natural self preservation & kill themselves;
others who act out their metal anguish , huritng others , crime, drug, etc.

To thos eparents who have kids going to or from war - hold them cose ; they are not the same person ; give them love , kindness & some room .

Someone besides you loves them dearly, for their sacrifice - whatever their motive to be in the military .

Chip's reason to go in was he beleived we owe an unwritten  debt to each other,  that there is no "free" lunch" .
I guess he paid a part of the final tab.

Sincerly -

Chip's Dad

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