Returning troops need help

Fri., Dec. 30, 2011

Our troops are coming home!

After almost a decade of misguided war, our valiant service men and women are returning home. Over 1.5 million Americans served the nation for nearly nine years, more than 4,500 died, over 30,000 were wounded, with countless Iraqi deaths.

Now is the time to protect and support our volunteer army. They sacrificed enough! We must wholeheartedly facilitate their transition to civilian life, assist them with jobs or retraining, and most importantly and without reservation, immediately provide them with proper medical care.

Many will return with post-traumatic stress disorder, experiencing monstrous nightmares, anxieties, irritability, outbursts of anger and an exaggerated startle response. Our medical community must be on alert to avert possible suicides. Every day, 18 U.S. veterans take their own lives.

Halina Slobodow

Spokane

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