Several weeks ago during a local radio broadcast, the wife of an American soldier spoke out about the difficulties her husband experienced after returning home from the war. As she wept, she told interviewers that her husband, a U.S. Marine, had recently found out that he was being re-deployed to Iraq after having served one previous term. So distraught was he over the news, he barricaded himself in his home and vowed that he was NOT going back. And he never did. Later that day, he was shot and killed by police. According to his grieving widow, the incident was without provocation.

Many extraordinary cases similar to this exist within American history, however most end up getting swept under the carpet, as military officials do little to investigate the cause, are quick to arrest, and even historically known to execute deserters.

In 1945, Private Eddie Slovik became the first American soldier to be executed for desertion since the Civil War. Slovic made it known to his superior officers that he did not want to fire against the enemy in World War II and subsequently went AWOL. Because the military wanted to make an example out of Slovik, once they found him, they shot and killed him by firing squad while he was helplessly tied to a post. It is important to note that many other military personnel were considered deserters during WWll, but Private Slovik was the only one executed for his act.

When a human being witnesses, or participates in, the atrocities of war -- senseless murders, bombings, child killings, rape, disfigurement -- some, especially those who are particularly vulnerable to stressors in their environment, are not able to cope. After they return home, many soldiers develop a condition known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). In fact, according to the Veteran's Association, tens of thousands of U.S. solders suffer from PTSD, causing horrifying flashbacks, nightmares and intense anxiety.

PTSD, formerly known as "Shell Shock" during WWll, is defined in Brunner and Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing as "the development of characteristic symptoms after a psychologically stressful event that is considered outside the range of normal human experience (rape, combat, motor vehicle crash, natural catastrophe). Symptoms of this disorder include intrusive thoughts and dreams, phobic avoidance reaction (avoidance of activities that arouse recollection of the traumatic event), heightened vigilance, exaggerated startle reaction, generalized anxiety and societal withdrawal. PTSD may be acute, chronic, or delayed".

The statistics surrounding PTSD are startling. Dr. Greg Passey, a retired military psychiatrist who treats individuals with this disorder claims that as many as one in five people with PTSD actually attempt suicide.

On December 17, 2007, Roy Thomas Bell, a 44 year old Winnipeg man who served in the armed forces for 20 years, was shot and killed by Winnipeg police when he reportedly threatened them with a bat and firearm. When police arrived at the scene, Bell was pleading with them to shoot him. And they eventually did. Those who knew him suspected that this was an act of "suicide by cop" as friends claimed he was dealing with PTSD and his condition had recently deteriorated.

Most of those who join the ranks of the armed forces are young men, barely in their 20's. At this age, they are still developing as human beings and very impressionable. It becomes the military's job to make them "killing machines" as they assist them in developing the mentality that their mission is to either kill or be killed. When they encounter the actual brutalities of war, though pre-conditioned to maintain a certain level of detachment for their acts, their psyche can become somewhat fractured, as the natural inclination of human beings is to preserve life and not take it. As these events cause deep emotional scars, they then return home and are expected to fully function as "normal human beings" in society. Some may have great difficulties with the transition and start to feel as if they are now "different". Why? Because they ARE different. How can someone who has experienced this type of trauma ever be the same? Ultimately, this experience has changed them forever. For those who cannot cope, symptoms of PTSD develop and they sink further and further into themselves, lost souls, not knowing where to turn.

The National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD), developed by the Veteran's Administration in recognition of this growing problem, "aims to advance the clinical care and social welfare of U.S. Veterans through research, education and training on PTSD and stress-related disorders". Here you can learn more about PTSD, find a facility close to you that treats the disorder and read other published material related to PTSD.

Although the Veteran's Administration is making an attempt to confront the issue in some, perhaps menial way, the Bush Administration is perpetuating it by planning to cut health care costs for Veterans. This article taken from Think Progress explains further:

"The Bush administration plans to cut funding for veterans' health care two years from now - even as badly wounded troops returning from Iraq could overwhelm the system. Bush is using the cuts, critics say, to help fulfill his pledge to balance the budget by 2012. ... Even though the cost of providing medical care to veterans has been growing rapidly - by more than 10 percent in many years - White House budget documents assume consecutive cutbacks in 2009 and 2010 and a freeze thereafter." February 12, 2007

Whatever the reason behind the Bush Administration's decision, the cuts will negatively impact Veterans, their families and our nation as a whole. As they strive to put the pieces of their lives back together, where do Vets turn when the nation that was supposed to support them, turns their collective back?

If you are suffering from symptoms that may resemble PTSD, it is extremely important that you seek prompt medical attention. Please remember, you are not alone! Don't wait until it is too late! Your life may depend upon it!

See Internet Mental Health Links for more information about this and other mental health disorders.