June 07, 2003
The cost of freedom
Relatively little attention has been paid to the wounded casualties of the Iraq campaign. Yet they and their families face dramatic struggles that will last for many years, and they will get perhaps less recognition and support than those killed in action. This is a reminder to us as citizens to offer our thanks in tangible ways, as well as to our government & military leaders to carefully exercise their responsibilities.
Although President Bush declared hostilities in Iraq over more than a month ago, private battles go on for troops recovering from wounds. Some will have to learn to walk again on prosthetic limbs, others to dress themselves. And others still will learn to live with vivid memories of the moments when their lives were changed forever.Hospitals such as the Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington are still treating soldiers wounded in Iraq. The two hospitals are way stations for troops, who usually arrive from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Eventually, most will return home or to veteran's hospitals for rehabilitation.
Walter Reed and the Naval Medical Center have treated more than 500 soldiers, Marines and sailors. Troops injured after the war ended are still trickling into the wards.
Along with medical treatment, the military provides psychological help. Some troops show signs of post-traumatic stress and receive counseling, while those who seem fine are given tips about symptoms of the disorder to watch out for.
via AP and the Houston Chronicle
Posted by Alan at June 7, 2003 12:01 PM