The Shameful Neglect of Mentally-Wounded Veterans

If the Federal Government won't act, shouldn't the state?

by Minnesota State Senator John Marty
Apple Pie Alliance
August 29, 2008

Sgt. Daniel Fanning, an Iraq war veteran, spoke passionately at the Minnesota Capitol recently, about the medical care veterans receive. Fanning served in the 1158th Transportation Company, driving trucks in Iraq. Because of the constant threat of IEDs, military transport jobs are highly stressful, and many people involved suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The sergeant showed a picture of himself with three of his buddies in Iraq. Upon return home, each of them faced some mental or physical health problems. Although veterans don't talk much about mental health issues, Fanning believes two of them were suffering from PTSD. Both of them sought care from the VA. Both were put on a waiting list.

Now, both are dead.

Neither of Daniel Fanning’s buddies are listed as suicide victims. Technically they are dead from an auto accident and a motorcycle accident, at least one was alcohol-related. But Sgt. Fanning believes that both were casualties of untreated PTSD and the resultant use of alcohol in an attempt to numb the pain.

Daniel Fanning’s friends risked their lives for our country. They came back with serious mental health wounds. They were denied the medical care that they needed. They died. That’s wrong.

(The rest is here.)