As a veteran, let me personally thank you, Doc, for the work you have done and continue to do.
You have earned my respect.

May God continue to bless you in your endeavors.

coalition of Sudanese Islamist militants carry out 250 suicide attacks in which they kill themselves

“lost boys of Sudan,” often conscripted… high suicide rate after 'rescue.'

two decades of civil war during which Arab Muslims in the north attacked, and enslaved black tribespeople in the south. Many committed suicide rather than escape

1.5 million people died in the war, deserted military, were captured by own people, escaped, killed themselves, murdered others, and still do… then came famine killing 1 million more. Another 4 million were displaced.

Our troops do not enlist because they want to destroy or kill. No matter the political climate, most troops seek to serve traditional warrior values: to protect the country they love, its ideals, and especially their families, communities, and each other. If they must kill or be killed, they need transcendent reasons to do so. Throughout history, the only reason for fighting that has survived moral scrutiny is a direct attack with real, immediate threat to one's people. PTSD is, in part, the tortured conscience of good people who did their best under conditions that would dehumanize anyone.
Almost all cultures, past and present, have had warriors. They have also had complex stories and rituals to help them recover from combat and guide them through the life cycle. The occurrence of warriors is so universal that depth psychologists understand Warrior to be one of our foundational psycho-spiritual archetypes.
In traditional cultures, boys and men studied a “warrior's path.” In these societies a warrior was not the same as a soldier; not merely a member of a huge, anonymous military institution used for the violent execution of political ends. Rather, warrior was one of the foundational roles that kept societies whole and strong. Warriors were fundamentally protectors, not destroyers.
People respond to the same call today. Michael, a Marine who served in Afghanistan, proudly declares that at age 18 he was the first in his state to enlist after 9/11. Nick, an army officer who served in Iraq, enlisted because of a lifelong desire “to be like Hector defending the gates of Troy.”
Warriorhood, however, is not so valued or nurtured in modern society. “Warrior” is not even a recognized social class. A veteran, especially one with disabilities, appears to many, and sometimes to him or herself, as a failure in terms of normal civilian identity. Michael fears that, as an experienced combat veteran, the only place on the planet he now fits is in the French Foreign Legion.

This post was mentioned on Twitter by TMV: Veteran Suicide: Witness To The Isle of the Dead:
The subject of veteran suicides rises every so often, like a dark… http://bit.ly/2TRTnq...

Kathy:

You have to stop taking the words out of my mouth

But, thank you, and.especially, thank you Dr. e.

Any veteran whose path crosses yours is a lucky person.

Bless you for your service to those in need.

g.c.