Even with more than 1.3 million troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan so far, American society is largely detached from much awareness of the service and sacrifice. Because only one percent of the population is directly touched by service, life for most Americans has gone on normally.

Let us pause a few moments to focus on what it means to bring the war back home for our service men and women and for their families.

This war has produced unique experiences and challenges. Although some have made comparisons to Vietnam, there are significant differences even in the demographics. Nearly 60% are married, 12-15% are married to another service person. So far more than 160,000 female soldiers have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan as compared to 7,500 who served in Vietnam. Generally limited to combat-support roles, women are witnessing violence like never before as the distinction between combat units and support units has been all but eliminated. Another vast difference in these conflicts is that more than 40% of the ground troops are National Guard and Reserve members. These then are truly; "civilian warriors and many are older with families, careers and community involvements. Compounding the hardship is the policy of multiple deployments. Sometimes a National Guard member will come back from a tour of duty and before they can readjust from the first deployment they are called back for another. The disruption and stress on the families is also considerable


Effects of Combat

Being in a war zone over time will profoundly affect anyone. But the nature of this war exacts a particularly heavy emotional toll. Most of us have read about the guerrilla tactics, roadside IEDs, suicidal bombers, sniper fire and the great difficulty-distinguishing friend from foe. Except for the "Green Zone, there is no safe zone for the everyday soldier and nearly 90% of troops are involved in some kind of firefight. Less reported is the harsh day-to-day in this kind of war zone which has been said to, "slowly chip away at one's safety, emotional resiliency and character. Program Coordinator, Rich Selig, from the VA's Trauma and Transition Resource Program, says, " the typical deployed soldier never gets a reprieve&the human body is remarkably resilient and adept at handling short-term crises and traumatic experiences. It isn't very good at handling that in an unremitting, chronic environment.


Bringing the Battle Home

For soldiers on constant high alert in combat it is not easy to turn off the patterns and cues of wartime survival. Driving fast and aggressively while scanning the landscape for roadside bombs may keep you save in Iraq but will be inappropriate or illegal in you hometown. The hyper vigilance you had to maintain as you faced constant danger doesn't work when out to dinner with your family back home.

PTSD, or Post-traumatic stress disorder, was added to the lexicon of medical diagnoses over 25 years ago to give a name to the emotional and psychological effects of combat for returning soldiers from Vietnam. But PTSD as diagnosis also describes the results of traumatic stress from a variety of incidentsrape, auto accident or witnessing a violent crime. What differentiates combat PTSD, according to experienced clinicians, has to do with the meaning attached to the sacrifices we ask soldiers to make and the fact that combat trauma is so intertwined with courage, honor, patriotism and our strongest fears of overwhelming loss.

Fortunately returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are being welcomed home with support, understanding and pride, unlike the response given many Vietnam Vets as they landed back in the USA. Society's embrace of the brave service men and women following their tremendous sacrifices will do much to aid the healing process for this generation.


Many veterans and their families may need more than our thanks, our prayers and our love. Whether it is a natural, normal adjustment to recovery; a hardship brought on by financial or career disruption; the need to find meaning or purpose or the lingering, debilitating effects of traumatic stress, help will needed. And fortunately help is available for individuals and families.

Connecticut has a Department of Veteran's Affairs in Rocky Hill at 1-866-928-8387, on the web at www.ct.gov/ctva. For referral services please call 1-866-928-8387 Ext. 5915 or call locally 721-5915 for Donna Meskony. She can be reached at Donna.Meskony@po.state.ct.us.

The State of Connecticut has also just launched a brand new program called The Connecticut Military Support Program (MSP)which was activated in March 2007. This program offers free and confidential counseling for service members awaiting deployment, currently a part of, or back home from Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. The program serves spouses, significant others, teens, kids, siblings, parents and grandparents. Their number is toll free: 1-866-251-2913

The following are other important support and advocacy organizations with their contact websites.
-Women Organizing Womenan advocacy program designed to help traumatized women navigate the V.A. health-care and benefits system www.betwow.com
-Veterans for America www.veteransforamerica.org
-Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America www.IAVA.org
-International Campaign Ban Landmines www.ICBL.org