Reply #53: Please, help us stop it now. They answered their call to serve. Let's answer their calls for help.

[Sunnyshine]

Our government sucks and should be investigating the VA day and night for years. I seen what they did to my own father, a Korean War vet. Deny him benefits, screw up his medicine, shuffle him to different nursing homes. That was 15 years ago, so nothing has really changed, except for two wars and 4,589 lives, tens of thousands maimed, and endless suffering for those like Jeffrey Lucey.

Let us all strive to achieve solutions and peace, in their honor.

We must fight back for these folks who are hopeless, and demand they be acknowledged to get them into treatment immediately. That depth of pain is terrifying to experience. I can only imagine what its like. Upon return, they should be meeting with past war veterans, be enrolled in therapeutic prevention groups (alternative to only VA help) and getting benefits to cover them for life.

Please, volunteer at your local VA hospital, get involved, and talk to people.
If you know someone like this, contact support groups like:

http://www.befrienders.org
http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/trainingandevents/calendar/index.asp
http://www.virtualarmory.com/WellBeing/map.aspx

* Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
* MilitaryOneSource - 6 Free Counseling Sessions: 1-800-342-9647
* National Guard Community Center: 1-888-777-7731
* Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline: [phone]