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********************************
THE WAR AGAINST
PTSD
STARTS NOW!
********************************
PTSD means
(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
This site page is HUGE so it will
take some TIME TO LOAD, even on a
FAST Internet Connection.
PLEASE BE PATIENT, IT'S WORTH
THE WAIT!
There is SO MUCH info here, and SO MUCH
more we WANT to add so we
are currently working on a new website
to accommodate the flood of PTSD
info/news/progress available to share!
If the "contact Julie" button on the right
is not working or if you've not
gotten a response to an email sent
(we've had some problems w/this email)
PLEASE feel FREE to contact me
by clicking below:
mail to: annie_250@yahoo.com
PLEASE
LIGHT A CANDLE (on the right)
A BEACON FOR OUR HEROES TO
LET THEM KNOW WHERE HOME IS
AND TO SHOW THEM THERE IS HOPE
AND TREATMENT FOR THIS MONSTER
DISORDER CALLED PTSD.
GOD BLESS THEM ALL!
BE SURE TO HIT REFRESH EACH TIME
YOU VISIT SO YOU DON'T MISS
THE NEW INFO ADDED!
"About 50 times a day we hear from
some practitioners that a veteran is thinking about killing themselves," Richard Gibson, manager of the mental health division at Milwaukee's Zablocki VA Medical Center.
Experts tackle suicide prevention among combat veterans
WALTER REED IS NOT THE ONLY
HOSPITAL FAILING OUR HEROES!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE!
A Welfare recipients gets better health
care than those who lie their lives
on the line for us!
Behind the Walls of Ward 54 (click here)
AND MORE!! Read on!
An Iowa National Guard soldier spoke out about the conditions at another military medical facility.
"It's like they're trying to hide their dirty eggs. They don't want anybody to see us. They don't want anybody to treat us other than them so they can kind of keep it under wraps about how bad the PTSD problem really is," he said.
CLICK HERE for the WHOLE STORY
"Caring for veterans should be just as important as
buying the next batch of tanks and guns" says Herman
White of Ralph H Johnson Veteran Affairs Medical Center
read more
SHARE YOUR PTSD STORIES
BY CLICKING
ON THE TRIBUTE AND CONDOLENCE BUTTON
WE MUST
LET THE NATION KNOW HOW RAMPANT
THIS KILLER IS WITH OUR TROOPS!
*************************
ONE IN THREE
OF OUR SERVICE MEN
AND WOMEN ARE RETURNING HOME WITH
PTSD
THAT IS...SO FAR..aprox.
>>> 462,000!!! <<<
What they found was that a growing number of deeply traumatized soldiers were being sent back into battle for multiple tours of duty and kept there even after superior officers were alerted to suicide warnings and other signs of mental illness.
click here
Friday, Dec. 22, 2006
was the ONE YEAR anniversary of Josh's passing.
>PLEASE<
light a candle (on the right) as a beacon for
ALL THOSE HEROES with PTSD
so they might find this site which contains the
answers and help they may need.
ALSO
pass this site
ON
to EVERYone you know,
as IT WAS BY DOING SO, that THIS site has actually
SAVED LIVES! Let's see how many
LIVES WE CAN SAVE
Visit OFTEN!
click your "back" button after viewing any of the links to return to this site...
God Bless
******************************************
Founded in June 2004, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This website was created in the memory of our beloved Hero, SPC Joshua Omvig of the 339th MP Company, who was born in Gillette, Wyoming on November 18, 1983 to proud parents, Randy and Ellen Omvig. Josh left a hole in his family's hearts when he passed on December 22, 2005 at the age of 22, by his own hand, at his home in Iowa. Josh suffered from PTSD after serving an 11 month tour in Iraq.
Below we share Josh's story. As hard as it is to do so, we know that silence on our parts would be easier on our broken hearts... silence however, would not help any one or save any lives... It won't prevent the tears, numbness, sleepless nights, broken dreams or give even one soul hope.
We know we have to talk about losing our Josh.
This site also reveals the stories of countless other military men, women and families who have dealt and are dealing with this killer disorder. The candles and condolences are filled with stories of those who've happened on our site and wanted to share their tragic truths with the Military and PTSD. We include here the why's, facts, studies, stories, information, support, contact info, and last but certainly not least, we reach out our hand to anyone who needs it.
****************************
The War On PTSD is NOT about POLITICS.
It doesn't matter if you are Republican or Democrat. It doesn't matter if you are for the war or anti war.
This is about
DOING SOMETHING ABOUT AN EPIDEMIC THAT LEFT AS IS, WILL WIPE OUT, at the very least...
A WHOLE GENERATION.
It's about taking care of your kids, your grandkids, your neighbors, your fellow human beings.
The ONLY thing we ask is that you read the facts and then decide if YOU TOO are ANTI- PTSD...If so, please HELP US in any way you feel you can!
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS)
EXCEPTIONAL SUPPORT FOR VETERAN AND MILITARY
FAMILIES AND SURVIVORS
++++++++++++++++++++++
FACT
>>>> ONE IN THREE <<<<<
of our troops
ARE RETURNING HOME WITH THIS DISORDER
*note* This number is what the Gov. is admitting to.
With troops being sent BACK for NUMEROUS REDEPLOYMENTS the ACTUAL percentage is without a doubt, according to statistics, 100% returning with some degree of PTSD or mental trauma!
FACT
Before this is over,
EVERY ONE OF YOU
will be touched in someway by this disorder.
If not in your family, then in someone's family YOU KNOW.
The statistics PROVE IT!
We will forever love and remember our Josh.
We honor him with the wonderful things happening because of this site and what sharing his story with the world is doing for other heroes and their families.
We will NOT REST until NO LIFE IS EVER LOST TO THIS
DEMON DISORDER...until NO FAMILIES ARE DESTROYED BECAUSE OF IT.
IT IS TREATABLE!
IT IS PREVENTABLE!
THIS IS WAR!
++++++++++++++++++++++
YOU can SAVE A HUMAN LIFE...
yes YOU!!!
It's as easy as sharing this site with EVERYONE you know, and asking them to do the same...
We were BLESSED to be informed that THIS SITE SAVED A LIFE in its FIRST MONTH and continues changing lives today.
NOW...Read on...
Josh, rest now, go to the light.
We will continue to carry your torch...
We LOVE YOU...
Your Family
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Help our Military Men and Women!
WRITE YOUR GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND
ASK THEM TO SUPPORT OUR VETS BY CO-SPONSORING
House Bill HR 1588
AND
House Bill - H.R.327 IH (Josh's Bill in House),
*UPDATE*
March 21, 2007
The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act
PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN THE HOUSE!
NOW ON TO THE SENATE!!!!
Senate Bill - S.479 IS (Josh's Bill in Senate),
AND
Senate Bill- S. 3984
(HR 1588 IH is here, also # S.3984 in Senate):
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:HR01588:@@@P
(HR 327 IH is here):
CLICK
Is your rep on this list of co-sponsors?
If not DON'T VOTE FOR THEM! Write them,
call them...
YOU DO COUNT! We KNOW, We DID IT!
(S.479 IS is here):
CLICK
Let YOUR voice be heard
It's EASY to do!
(Go to the link below...enter your zip and it tells you your senate and congressman's name and email address. Click on the email address and it will bring up an email all ready to send to them.)
Find Your Congressmen and Senators HERE:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
*********************************************************
*******************************************************
Contact YOUR SENATORS and ask them to jump on board
The JOSHUA OMVIG VETERANS SUICIDE PREVENTION ACT introduced by Congressman Boswell of Iowa, and passed
unanimously in the House Veterans Committee and Sub
Committee, AND ALSO UNANIMOUSLY in the
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 21, 2007!
read below or in the "His Legacy"
*******************************************************
********************************************************
Josh's Story
THE SHOT HEARD
AROUND THE
WORLD
Josh was a Proud American, an American Hero and a member of the United States Army Reserve 339th MP Company based in Davenport, Iowa. At six foot three, the impressiveness of his jet black hair, dark brown, almost black, eyes and long black eye lashes were matched only by his devilish charm and wit. Josh was everyone's friend whether he knew you or not. There were no strangers when he was in the room. He made everyone feel apart of the whole, and being the "clown" of the class made sure entertainment was never lacking either.
To say Josh was the typical "Kid Next Door" sounds odd but he really was JUST A GOOD KID. His whole life he wanted to work in public service and stayed focused on that dream of being a Police Officer for as long as I can remember. He always kept his nose clean knowing it was going to someday be important to his career. He loved to participate in sports, hang out with his friends, play video games and spend time with his family.
As an adult, Josh was a PROUD member of the Grundy Center American Lutheran Church, the Grundy Center Volunteer Fire Department, and the Grundy Center Police Reserves.
He insisted on graduating early from high school after joining the reserves to get his career started. So excited about his future, he wanted to get into basic training as fast as he could....He had wanted to serve and protect his country, and it's citizens. His dream of becoming a Police Officer was nearly here. The Army Reserves was his ticket to achieving that dream.
......then came 911, The War Against Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Iraq.
In November of 2004, Josh returned from an 11 month tour of duty in Iraq, fighting for his country and it's people in "Operation Iraqi Freedom."
While serving in Iraq, the conditions where unimaginable, and worse yet were the UNSPEAKABLE "jobs" and "duties" they had to do.
One truly can't understand unless they've been there, what these men and women face every single day. From the moment they set foot on foreign soil, they are in a combat zone every single second of every single day ...until they return home. Any moment could be their last moment... they know it... they have to... in order to survive.
The stories that come out of these war zones covered in the news are unimaginable to those of us safe in our homes. It's inconceivable, the damage that could be done to one's mind after seeing the mutilation an IED does to a human body, or what it would be like to retrieve the body parts of a friend to send home to their family for burial.
What must it be like to have to watch your back 24 hours a day, even while you sleep...to know any garbage bag on the side of the road could be a bomb...any child could be a decoy for an ambush....any woman who approaches you crying could be strapped with explosives...that giving a candy bar to a child could cost that child his arms as retrobution for accepting it.
THE STORIES JUST GO ON..AND ON...AND ON!
Josh loved his country, and was HONORED to defend her and the freedoms of it's people. He knew why he had to do the things he and others did, he was just never able to recover from having seen and done them.
He came home to us from Iraq with PTSD (POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER) and was never the same Josh again.
Josh's "DEBRIEFING" consisted of ONLY 15 minutes of "Welcome Home, Got any Problems? No? Great.. well, Let us know...See Ya"
AND IT'S HAPPENING TO OTHERS: Read the article -
"Navy acts to improve mental health screening for sailors"
THIS IS COMMON AMONG OUR RETURNING NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE UNITS!
THIS IS NOT EVEN THEIR PROTOCOL (rules) FOR DEBRIEFING!
What they are doing (OR NOT DOING) is killing our troops!
We knew Josh was having a hard time, but not in ANY way to the extent it REALLY was. We surely didn't know it had a name, or that it was an epidemic with our American Heroes in and returning from Iraq.
We knew there was such a thing as PTSD, but it just never "clicked" that THIS was what was happening to our Josh!..Josh was the clown, the one with the smile, the one who made others feel better. He hid the magnitude this disorder had on him very well. He suffered in silence like MOST of our soldiers with PTSD are doing.
On Thurs. Dec. 22, 2005, our Josh took his life after leaving a note explaining his torment.
Through the course of Josh's viewing and funeral ( attended by an overflow crowd of over 500 ), his family was made aware there were others suffering from the same disorder, in silence, like Josh had...LOTS OF THEM
While sitting in the Emergency Room for ONE HOUR with their dead son's body, being asked and explained about ORGAN DONATION, the nurse got off the phone with University Hospital in Iowa City and told Josh's parents that despite Josh's request to have his organs donated,
"OH, I'M SORRY... WE FORGOT THAT HE CAN'T DONATE ORGANS BECAUSE HE WAS IN THE MID EAST... HE HAS A VIRUS."
When asked "WHAT Virus?", they were 'put off' and never responded to.
When BEGGED by Josh's parents to TEST him to SEE if he had a VIRUS "just in case he COULD DONATE".. They just said,
"WE WON'T CHECK THE BODIES, EVERYBODY FROM THE MID EAST HAS GOT IT"
"..it's a blanket policy!"
EVERYBODY from the Mid East HAS IT?
What IS this Virus?
WARNING THE SITE BELOW IS GRAPHIC WITH HORRENDOUS PHOTOS OF CHILDREN BORN WITH THE BIRTH DEFECTS CAUSED BY DEPLETED URANIUM EXPOSURE IN IRAQ...DO NOT LET CHILDREN OR ANYONE UNDER 18 VIEW IT!!!!
(but it's necessary to accompany the written statements on this site with FACTS): VISIT THE SITE
What will this do to those who survive? What about them having children? What about? What about? WE WANT ANSWERS AND THEY WON'T TALK TO US!~!!!
Since then, his family and I (Josh's Aunt Julie) have been doing TONS of research on PTSD and how our Military Heroes are having to deal with it as well as the problems they are facing with getting PROPER treatment. We have been searching the internet to find other Vets out there struggling, other families and loved ones devastated by PTSD... on message boards, email groups, military news groups, newspaper articles, tv news reports, etc....
there are THOUSANDS!!!
Josh never sought out help. We've also since learned it's very hard for
our soldiers to talk about it.. period, let alone seek help! They are
AFRAID TO!
HereWhy:
http://philippinesphil.blogspot.com/
Less Than Half of Soldiers With Mental Health Problems Seek Treatment
"For all returning soldiers, there were strong correlations between being shot at, handling dead bodies, knowing someone who was killed, or killing the enemy and the subsequent development of PTSD. And yet of those who met the criteria for a mental disorder, only 38% to 45% expressed an interest in receiving help, and only 23% to 40% reported receiving help in the past year. The participants who screened positive for a mental disorder were the least likely to seek treatment because of a fear of stigmatization, harming their careers, or other barriers."
View This Study (Adobe Reader required)
THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE!
The Family Gave Two Interviews About Josh's
Death... one of which won awards as the
first in a PTSD Series for Editor Dennis Magee
of the Waterloo Courier. You can read those
stories here:
Click>>JOSH'S STORY<<CLICK
AS TOLD TO DENNIS MAGEE
AND JENNIFER JACOBS of the Waterloo
Courier and Des Moines Register
*****************************
"Another Army study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine IN 2004, THREE YEARS AGO~~, found that 17 percent of U.S. combat troops, including Army and Marines, experienced major depression and combat stress, the highest rate since Vietnam."
Read the article - "Combat Duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mental Health Problems, and Barriers to Care"
"Just one-fourth to less than half of those with post-traumatic stress disorder sought help, according to the Army study. And some 65 percent of those questioned said they worry that if they asked for help, it would make them look weak or affect their military careers."
(From the Dallas News December 3, 2005)
The government won't give them REAL help unless they are completely incapacitated (unable to work/function)...this is not the case in almost all I've met/seen. They are nearly all functioning...but in HELL.
READ ON ABOUT
MORE NEEDLESS
LIVES LOST:
CLICK HERE
http://www.joshua-omvig.memory-of.com/Timeline.aspx
*note*
We are in the process of moving all the photos below of our lost heroes to the "Timeline" pages because
they are slowing down the main page too much and
many people are having to wait (some up to NINE) minutes to see the main page...so please bear with us...we have many MANY more new pics/stories
to add also, so check back OFTEN!
>> JONATHAN SCHULZE <<
Son to Jim, Stepson to Mariann....Fiancee, Daddy to
a Daughter and another on the way
Jonathan's Story
Young Marine Dies Of PTSD - And Neglect
>> JASON COOPER <<
Jason's Memorial TShirt (Available on his website below)
Son to Terri
Jason's Story and Memorial Website
Mother of Suicide Vet Flies Old Glory Upside Down
(Check out all the COMMENTS ALSO was "Most
discussed article on Alternet"
>> KEVIN McCARTY <<
Husband to Tina, Daddy to Kendall
Kevin's Memorial Website
>> MICHAEL DICKEY <<
Husband to Emisha, Daddy to Enrick
Michael's Memorial Site
>> DOUGLAS BARBER <<
Don of Martha and the late Doug Sr. Brother of Connie
and the late Anthony Barber
Doug's Memorial Website
>> DOMINIC CAMPISI <<
Dom, son to Connie and the late Anthony,
brother to Roy.
Dom's Memorial Website
>> REBECCA MARSEGLIA <<
Becky, Daughter to Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia and
Mark Marseglia (wife Paula)
Loving sister of Katelyn Blair Marseglia
Becky's Memorial Website
>> STEVEN LOGAN <<
Steven, son of Patty, brother to Lisa and Brtittany
Steven's Memorial Website
>> BRANDON RATLIFF <<
Brandon, son to Susan, Nephew to Sally
Brandon's Memorial Website
>> WILLIAM WEISS <<
Bill, son to Mary
Bill's Memorial Website
>> BENNY RIGGINS <<
Benny, Daddy to Laurie
Benny's Memorial Website
>> COREY SMALL <<
Corey's Memorial Website
USA Today Story on Corey's Death
>> KEN DENNIS <<
Seattle News Story On Ken's Death
>> JEFFREY LUCEY <<
Jeff's Memorial Website
Gold Star Families Speak Out Tribute
>>COLONEL TED WESTHUSING<<
Boston Globe Article On Ted's Death
>> JEFFREY HENTHORN <<
Jeffrey's Story Including Video Interview w/His Parents
>> DAVID L POTTER <<
David's Memorial Site
A Short Story on David
>> DEBRA BANASZAK <<
Debra's Memorial Site
>> EDWARD BRABAZON <<
EDDIE'S MEMORIAL SITE
>> JASON SCHEUERMAN <<
Jason's Memorial Site
>> JEFFREY BRAUN <<
Jeff's Memorial Site
Jeff's Parents Pay Tribute
>> MARK WARREN <<
>> SAMUEL LEE <<
>> STEVEN SIRKO <<
Steven's Memorial Site
From Steven's Mom
>> Rebecca Jarabek <<
Becky, sister to Abby
Becky's West Point Memorial Site
Becky's MSC Memorial
UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE DOZENS MORE PICTURES, STORIES,
AND TRAGEDIES TO ADD IN THE COMING DAYS.
STOP BACK OFTEN, BE SURE TO HIT YOUR REFRESH
BUTTON OR YOU MAY NOT CATCH THE NEW THINGS ADDED.
AND PLEASE
SHARE THIS SITE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND
HELP US SAVE LIVES!
THE OMVIGS
Chairman Steve Buyer (R-IN) said in that hearing:
“We have, since the days when it was called ‘shell shock’, learned much about PTSD,” said Buyer, who identified access to care as a problem for returning servicemembers. “We have much more to learn so that we can accurately diagnose it and effectively treat it. Congress must ensure VA has the resources to do both.”
Results from that Hearing:
An amendment to the Tax Relief Act of 2005, aimed to allocate an additional $500 million for post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] and substance abuse counseling for returning Vets.
IT WAS VOTED DOWN!
BUT THEY DID OK $ 45,980,000 of your tax dollars for things like THIS:
$1 million to preserve a sewer in Trenton, NJ, as a historic monument....read more:
http://www.areddy.net/mscott/porkabs.html
and this:
http://www.areddy.net/mscott/porkpri.html
worse yet? There's more:
http://www.akdart.com/abu7.html
>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<
Army Surgeon General's Mental Health
Advisory Team-II (MHAT-II), released in July
2004, found the suicide rate for Operation
Iraqi Freedom soldiers to that date during
2004 to be 8.5 per 100,000 soldiers, down
from 18 per 100,000 in 2003....BUT IN
2005 THAT NUMBER
DOUBLED!
20 per 100,000
NO NUMBERS HAVE BEEN
RELEASED FOR 2006
The MHAT-II appears to have used a strict definition of suicide, however. The report notes that "Firearms were the only confirmed method of suicide for OIF soldiers in 2003 and 2004 with the exception of one drug overdose case in 2003." Some mental health experts believe that many friendly-fire incidents can be considered suicide, although it can be difficult for investigators to confirm such cases.
SO
There have been About 1.4 million
troops so far that have served in Iraq or
Afghanistan
YOU FIGURE THE NUMBERS!
BUT...
THAT DOESN'T COUNT THE
>>>SUICIDES STATESIDE!<<<
PTSD ROUTINELY TAKES 6-12
(or more)
MONTHS
to Show it's
evil HEAD!
HOW MANY OF OUR
SONS AND DAUGHTERS
DIED
AFTER THEY GOT HOME?
And Will NEVER Be
Considered Casualties
of WAR?
A
NATION DEMANDS TO KNOW!
THE FAMILIES
DESERVE
TO KNOW
THE TRUTH!!
HOW MANY IN ALL?
?????????
????HOW MANY????
THEY DESERVE
TO COUNT!
"Both the VA and the Pentagon in
recent weeks have acknowledged
a need to improve mental health
treatment. Jan Kemp, a VA
associate director for education
who works on mental health, has
estimated there are up to 1,000
suicides a year among veterans
within the VA system, and as
many
as 5,000 a year among all living
veterans. "
5000 a YEAR? Is that counting
the ones like Josh which make up
the greater amount? NO...
We've been told over and over no
one is counting, so where does this
number come from?
Better Yet..Who is Lying?
>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<
OUR AMERICAN VETS ARE SUFFERING, IT'S FAR BIGGER THAN JUST ONE STORY!
HERE ARE MORE:
The photo of the ‘Marlboro Man’ in Fallujah became a symbol of the Iraq conflict when it ran in newspapers across America in 2004. The man in the photograph is James Blake Miller, now 21, and suffering from PTSD, Military Related. For his story click here.
Andrew Murphy, who developed PTSD after serving with the armed forces in Bosnia in 1993, hopes this will mean others get the help that he found it difficult to receive. Read more >>
"Some of what I’ve learned about this disorder pertains to all PTSD sufferers, but most of what I’ve learned pertains to the trauma of war. I am a Vietnam Veteran. I flew Cobra Gunships in Vietnam. After a recent episode in which I had been turned into a babbling, stuttering idiot and locked up at the local Veterans Hospital". Read more >>
23-year-old Jesus Bocanegra spent four and a half years in the military, including a year as a cavalry scout in Iraq. He’s now out of the military and living with his family in the town of Elsep in South Texas. But the war is still with him, so much so that he’s been treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He shares this story. Read more >>
When scientists study the psychiatric injuries of war, they usually study it in men. But now more women are coming back from Iraq with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Abbie Pickett of the Wisconsin National Guard faces a continuing struggle to get her life back on track. Read more >>
"Vietnam War for combat veteran Edward (Robbie) Robinson was leaning over a 19-year old kid with a chest wound received in combat near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). "Don't let me die! I want my mom!" he cried. Robinson, of the 3rd Division, 9th Marines, knew there was nothing he could do. So he cradled him in his arms, gently murmuring, "it's okay, mommy's here." When he died, "the best part of me died with him," Robinson said. "To this day, I tell my wife, and she understands it, that I can never be close to her in an act of love the way I was holding that kid in my arms!" Read more >>
And there are TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE STORIES
(we will post more links to them here each week)!
MORE
LIVES LOST TOO SOON,
MORE
LIVES AND FAMILIES
DESTROYED
BECAUSE OF THIS KILLER DISORDER:
1. After Soldier's Suicide, his Family Calls for More Counseling
5. Memorial Day - Tribute To Those Who Served
6. Douglas Barber Commits Suicide
7. Fort Bragg killings raise alarm about stress
8. Stress epidemic strikes American forces in Iraq
10. Home Front Casualties - Murders and suicides by military personnel might be part of the Iraq war toll
11. Pentagon counts the psychological cost of Iraq war as survey reveals suicide levels
12. Man gets life for murder of Marine girlfriend
13. Reservist Commits Suicide After Return
14. GI's suicide shows failure by all of us
15. The War Comes Home: Rifleman couldn't take any more
16. Wave of mental problems follows GIs home
17. Fort Lewis Solider Arrested For Allegedly Killing His Wife
18. A Drexel student and U.S. Marine stands charged with opening fire in Philly
19. Stretched thin - concern mounts over soldiers' mental health care
20. Soldier arrested after police find wife's body in van
21. Parents Mourn Son's Suicide After Returning From Iraq Duty: "He's a Casualty of War But He'll Never Be Known As That"
22. POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: Number of cases on rise
23. Soldier kills himself after arrest on child-sex charge
24. 'Over my dead body'
25. At Fort Bragg, another Lariam-linked violent suicide
26. Vietnam, Iraq wars cited for minister's suicide
27. Searchers find blind, suicidal Iraq veteran alive
28. Soldier's journey ends in anguish
29. Investigation Begins into Death at Fort Riley
30. Rech's military background is explored
31. 2 Iraq veterans stationed at Fort Hood kill themselves
32. Carson soldier kills wife, himself
33. General's family rules out suicide
34. KIA in Alabama
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2004 "The Pentagon counts at least 22 GI suicides in the Iraq conflict -- 19 of those Army troops. It's statistically too high and it could be as many as 30." Read more >>
July 20, 2003 Military Investigates 7 Suspected Suicides. Read more >>
Posted 10/13/2003 Army probes soldier suicides. Read more >>
October 5, 2004 The Suicide of an Iraq War Veteran. Read more >>
Apr 3 2005 Parents' tribute to Iraq suicide soldier. Read more >>
January 14, 2004 U.S. soldiers' suicide rate up in Iraq. Read more >>
September 24, 2003 Military Suicide in Iraq
( entire units have been put on suicide watches )
http://watchblog.com/thirdparty/archives/000346.html
Heartbreakingly, there are HUNDREDS MORE to be added
(we will try to add more here each week)
PLEASE KNOW
We, Josh's family are NOT Anti-President, Anti-Government, Anti-War, or Anti- ANYTHING BUT...
ANTI-POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
We do not wish to make this site a political forum, we all have the freedom (because our Vets fought for it) to choose and voice our opinions. But please keep THIS site about PTSD and FACTS about it.
GETTING VA HELP TO FILE CLAIMS...
THE INSIDE SCOOP:
"Jay's PTSD Claims FAQ"
and
VVA's GUIDE on PTSD
and
PTSD Military - Message 1262 on Yahoo Health Groups
and
PTSD Military - Message 1231 on Yahoo Health Groups
* HERE ARE THE FACTS *
* ONE IN SIX Iraqi war vets are suffering from this disorder!
Read more >>
A STUDY JUST OUT MARCH 1 COULD HAVE THOSE NUMBERS AS HIGH AS 1 IN 3!
Read more >>
* OUR VETS ARE NOT GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED even when hospitalized!
Read more >>
*More than a MILLION came home from Vietnam with it!
*58,000 plus died in the Vietnam War. Over 150,000 have committed suicide due to PTSD since the war ended".
Read more >>
*Researchers feel there may be a link to the malaria drug they are taking in Iraq (which has a side effect of causing suicidal thoughts!).
Read more >>
* THERE NEED TO BE IMMEDIATE CHANGES IN HOW THE VA IS HANDLING THESE CASES
Read more >>
* TOO MANY SOLDIERS GET TURNED AWAY FROM THE VA DUE TO GOVERNMENT "LACK OF FUNDS"
Article 1 >>
Article 2 >>
* The Government continues to CUT THE BUDGET that gives these HEROS HELP!
Read more >>
* WHAT HELP THEY DO GET FROM THE VA IS A NIGHTMARE AND DISGRACE!
Read more >>
* Approximately 8 percent of all adults – one of 13 people in this country – will develop PTSD during their lifetime.
* There are no borders when it comes to PTSD, all of our ALLIES and their brave Heroes in the "War Against Terror" are vulnerable to this disorder!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4632263.stm
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/7135
*"Puget Sound PTSD specialists call the disorder one of the "hidden wounds of war." It can't be stitched up, earns no Purple Heart and can fester over a lifetime.
*"The specialists predict the trickle of affected soldiers from Iraq now coming into clinics will turn into a flood, with serious consequences for strained Veterans Affairs budgets and for taxpayers who foot disability bills."
*"We hear about the thousands of injuries -- brain injuries, leg injuries, arm injuries -- but rarely do we hear about the psychological casualties in war," said PTSD expert Dr. Evan Kanter, a neuroscientist and staff psychiatrist at the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle"
*"There will be tens of thousands of these, and the cost of that will be tremendous."
"Col. Charles Hoge, M.D., chief of psychiatry and behavior services at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, told the U.S. House Committee on Veterans Affairs' Health Subcommittee last July that 19% to 21% of troops who have returned from combat deployments meet criteria for PTSD, depression or anxiety. Of these, 15% to 17% of troops who served in Iraq and 6% of those who served in Afghanistan had PTSD symptoms when surveyed three to 12 months after their deployments. In general, PTSD rates were highest among units that served deployments of 12 months or more and had more exposure to combat."
Read more >>
If you or someone you
love suspects you may be
suffering from PTSD
ITS NOT YOUR FAULT,
YOU ARE NOT CRAZY
www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_l...32,00.html
AND YOU SHOULD NOT HIDE THE FACT YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS. RECENT STUDIES HAVE PROVED THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THIS DISORDER (WHY ONE GETS IT AND ANOTHER DOESN'T) IS AS SIMPLY EXPLAINED AS BEING RIGHT HANDED OR LEFT HANDED!! ALL PEOPLE ARE RIGHT OR LEFT BRAINED AND THE STUDY PROVES RIGHT BRAINED PEOPLE BY FAR ARE MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP PTSD AFTER TRAUMA!
Read more >>
*CONCUSSIVE SYNDROME (HEAD TRAUMA, EAR DAMAGE, ETC.) CAN AND DOES LEAD TO POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER BUT PTSD SUFFERERS ARE NOT BEING TREATED FOR IT!
Relationship Between Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
"Losing their minds" - By Mark Benjamin
RIGHT NOW, THIS MINUTE, JOIN ONE OF THE SUPPORT GROUPS LISTED ON THIS PAGE! THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE AND FELLOW VETS THERE THAT CAN HELP YOU...
THAT IS THE FIRST STEP!
YOU CAN HELP!
JOIN THE WAR AGAINST PTSD
A WORLDWIDE EPIDEMIC!
Mathew 25:40 The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!'
Now that you know, the torch is in YOUR hands
Our Heroes are fighting for YOUR freedoms, HELP THEM FIGHT FOR THEIRS
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
As little as forwarding this website to everyone you know and asking them to do the same. Add the LINK to this website to your signature line with "SAVE A LIFE TODAY" ahead of it. Send the story/link out to EVERY newsgroup, email group, you are on. Post it to every MESSAGE BOARD you frequent. HELP US SPREAD THE WORD BEFORE ONE MORE HERO PAYS WITH HIS LIFE!...or...BE being willing to JOIN THE WAR AGAINST PTSD by contacting us and seeing how YOU can help.
JUST DO SOMETHING!
SHARE YOUR STORY OR THAT OF YOUR LOVED ONES BY CLICKING THE TRIBUTES AND CONDOLENCES TAB AT THE TOP! OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE READING THIS WEBSITE, TELL THEM WHAT IS HAPPENING!
(BOOKMARK this site or add to your FAVORITES and check back often, be sure to click refresh each time you visit in case your pc "cached" the website to see new updates daily)
In the mean time:
PLEASE! it will take 5 minutes
WRITE YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN!
(you can find, click on their email address and write them here)
Congressmen and Senators
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/
If you don't know what to say, click "email Julie" in the upper right and I will have a pre-constructed letter you can use as a FORM, but PLEASE, change the wording, use it as an outline, but make it personal note, from YOU!
From a Friend:
"Congressmen and Senators
prefer a more personal note from
constiuents. Too many form letters and they tend to disregard them, and I want your message to be heard, it's too important."
so the wording needs to be from YOUR HEART!
The statistics are jaw-dropping.
In October, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported:
119,247 Afghanistan/Iraq service members (now off-duty) are receiving health care from the V.A.
46,000 have musculoskeletal problems.
37,000 have mental disorders.
16,000 have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These are all veterans who within the last four years were considered by the military to be mentally and physically fit enough to fight.
No longer fit enough to fight. And many no longer fit enough to enjoy life. They need our help.
http://tinyurl.com/9ssnv
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN
PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE AND LIGHT A CANDLE FOR OUR HERO, JOSH. LET THE CANDLES YOU LIGHT, BEAM FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE OF HEAVEN, AND LIGHT THE WAY HOME FOR OUR HEROES OVERSEAS
(you can do so on the right)
Or click on the Tributes & Condolences Tab and share your thoughts
It means SO MUCH to us to read them!
*NOTE* PEOPLE LEAVING CANDLES AND TRIBUTES! I HAVE NO WAY TO CONTACT YOU UNLESS YOU LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! PLEASE HIT THE "CONTACT JULIE" AT THE TOP RIGHT AND LET ME KNOW HOW TO EMAIL YOU!
Josh is forever loved and survived by his parents, Randy and Ellen, brother Jacob, sister Rachel, and sister in law Olivia.
Josh is also forever loved and survived by Uncles Rick, Russ, Larry, Mark, Barry, Gary, Andy and Wayne.... Aunts Julie, Donna, Michele, Ann, Colleen and Delyth .... Cousins Kent, Nicole, Erin, Ian, Connor, Denise, Dawn, Robin, Stephanie, Brian, Heather, Glen, Demetrius, Amora and Dale....Second Cousins Abi, Madison, Kaitlyn, Victoria, Alexis, Mathew and Danielle...Great Uncles Gene (Bo), and Bob....Great Aunts Marie and JoeAnn and their families along with Grandma Nancy and Grandpa John.
Josh was met and guided to the doors of heaven by Grandpas Julian and William, Grandma Jimmie, Great Grandmas Hester, Mimi, Mabel and Alice, Step Great Grandma Ethel and Great Grandpas Russell, Ernest, and Ulice (Doc).
When you left, you took a piece of our hearts with you Josh
Neverending hugs and thanks to the people of Grundy Center and the surrounding communities. Special thanks to the BCLUW area, BCLUW School District, Students, the Grundy Center Police Dept, Grundy Center Fire Dept, the fine BRAVE members of the 339th MP Company, friends and even strangers for the love and support they've shown Josh's family and continue to show to this day.
We love you!
This site is dedicated to Josh, and will become an information site for other brave men and women defending our country suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), for their families and friends to find the help and supports they need. Our goal is to prevent this from EVER happening to anyone else and their familes.
Rest in Peace Our Sweet Josh, we have the torch now!
****************************
ONLINE SUPPORT GROUPS
24/7 PTSD SUPPORT
>> PTSD_Military <<
To find support and connect with other military men, women dealing with PTSD or families of vets suffering from PTSD go here:
This support group is manned by Josh's family -
click here
to visit.
************************
>> SLOOMS <<
(Support Loved Ones of Military Suicides)
To connect with other families and loved ones of Military Men and Women who have lost their battle with PTSD go here:
This support group is manned by Josh's family -
click here
to visit.
Other Support Groups for Vets and Families dealing with PTSD can be found here:
For Vets w/PTSD
Yahoo Groups - "war-caused-ptsd"
For Women who Love Vets w/PTSD
MSN Groups - "The Aftermath of War"
For Male Vets w/ PTSD
Brothers Bound By Honor
For Female Vets w/PTSD
Sisters Bound By Honor
>>> FOR INFO ON PTSD: <<<
National Institute for Mental Health PTSD Pages
PTSD Facts For Health
PTSD RESOURCES
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Center @MedicineNet
PTSD Guide For Patients and Families (PDF FILE)
Guideline to Treatment of PTSD (PDF FILE)
Need Transition Help? Free Resources for OEF/OIF
Troops
PTSD Research
PTSD Support Services (Run by a Vietnam Vet)
Practice Guideline for Treatment of PTSD Patients
Veteran Filing a PTSD Claim? Here's Help...
MORE SITES COMING SOON!
************************************************************
ORGANIZATIONS FOR OUR VETERANS
AND MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN
>>NON PARTISAN<<
(the only way to be...cuz this is NOT about politics,
it's about LIVES, FAMILIES, AMERICANS)
********************************
PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS!!
MOTORCYCLE RIDERS UNITE FOR OUR HEROES!
JOIN OR SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS!!
http://www.soft-vision.com/guard/
(Keeping Funerals FREE FROM ANTI-WAR PROTESTERS so our BRAVE HEROES can be laid to rest in PEACE by shielding the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors through strictly legal and non-violent means)
http://patriotguard.org/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx
http://www.vfvc.net/index.htm
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THOSE FIGHTING
MEN AND WOMEN WHO GET NONE! VISIT
"ANY SOLDIER.COM
http://www.anysoldier.com/
*******************************************
To have your site considered for a place on this site submit to:
julie@ptsdinfo.com
All sites MUST BE NON PARTISIAN and AIDING Veterans
those currently serving and/or their families
THIS SITE IS FUNDED BY THE JOSHUA OMVIG
MEMORIAL FUND TO COMBAT
MILITARY PTSD
MOST OF THE GRAPHICS ON THIS WEBSITE
ARE BRILLIANTLY THE WORK OF DOC'S
PATRIOTIC GRAPHICS,
CLICK LINK BELOW
http://geckocountry.com/milgraphics.htm
TO VISIT HIS WEBSITE!!!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
Author Unknown
Come With Me
God saw that you were suffering
and a cure was not to be,
So He put His arms around you
and whispered, "Come with me".
Through tear filled eyes
we watched you suffer
and slowly fade away.
Although we loved you deeply,
we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands were put to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
|
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