After serving honorably in Iraq or Afghanistan, many veterans are now facing uphill mental and physical battles on the home front. Hundreds of thousands of men and women of all ages, races and backgrounds have served in the treacherous, bitter cold mountains of Afghanistan, the dusty sun-soaked deserts of Iraq or the tumultuous city streets of Iraqi cities.  Despite their service, things are certainly not rosy for them back home after they are discharged. Although media outlets are often reporting lately that things have settled down in Iraq, the total number of injuries and deaths in both of these wars continues to steadily climb.  Truthout is reporting today  81, 361 battlefield injuries and deaths, an increase over the 72,043 reported last January. Key findings include:

-Over 400,000 troops have requested care upon their return home (up from 263,909 in 2007)

-105,000 troops diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 59% of veterans diagnosed with this have been denied benefits.  The number of patients with PTSD at Walter Reed Hospital outweigh the total number of amputees 43 to 1.

-The Pentagon recently decided that troops with PTSD could not be honored with a Purple Heart because it’s not “a wound intentionally caused by the enemy,” and thus not qualified to receive the award.

-A total of 809,000 veterans (all wars and peacetime) are currently waiting on pending medical claims claims.

-Army suicides are the highest they’ve been in three decades.

It’s a pretty shameful situation.  With the new Administration and leaders in Congress, there’s buzz and support for systemic changes including “providing the VA with ’sufficient and timely funding,’ expanding access to health care for veterans in rural areas, and rebuilding the compensation and benefits system.”

However, we know politicians, even with the best intentions, need to be reminded of their goals and also have their efforts supported through demonstrated public backing.  And, how could a politician look a veteran in the face and tell this person that they would not increase funding for veteran programs? I imagine it would be pretty difficult once you have the opportunity to connect with an individual who is battling our system now after having returned from the battlefield in Iraq or Afghanistan.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is sending 125 veterans to Washington to meet with Senators and Representatives to push for improvements to the VA system, expanded post-combat employment training and a new health claims systems.  takepart to send a veteran to Washington so that politicians can hear from true heroes about how our government can give them the services. they deserve.

(photo: adobemac, Flickr Creative Commons)