tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742487410373715914.post2315936173476356065..comments2024-03-13T09:42:49.719-04:00Comments on Wounded Times: General Pittard retracts "selfish suicide" statementKathie Costoshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930848909252282916noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742487410373715914.post-73477590574861505222012-07-13T13:48:01.863-04:002012-07-13T13:48:01.863-04:00My name is Jeri Hallberg Harmon. I live in El Paso...My name is Jeri Hallberg Harmon. I live in El Paso, Texas. <br /><br /><br />My Dad told me the same thing, only cowards take their own lives. Maybe it was the 1950's and role/gender models were very defined.<br /><br /> Maybe circumstances in life would cause a person to contemplate such an act. <br />PTSD is a bone fide health condition. In and of itself it can not be seen... the symptoms and conditions can be seen according to what I have read. <br /> I am not a doctor, I am not a nurse. I am the mother of a son whose father was in the military and even after his honorable discharge continued for decades to live as though he were on permanent bivouc. <br /> No heat, no water, no gas, outside, spartan life style... in the middle of suburbia.<br /> Was it PTSD?? Was his disability a direct result of jumping from a whirlybird?? <br /> I do not know. What I do know is that our marriage suffered, we learned to accept him for what he was and how he lived his life style. <br /> Did it permaently effect our family unit... no doubt. <br /><br /> What I alsi know is: I have known General Pittard since 1974-75. <br /> He was then and I assume now is a truthful, trustworthy, responsible, reliable leader, was then,,, is now. <br /> When we were being raised, we were expected to " suck it up", <br />" be tough, don't explain, don't complain". Those were the days long ago when terms such as PTSD, politically correct and sensitivity training were not yet created.<br />He has restated his position to clarify his meaning. I accept that. Further he has stated numerous avenues for assistance for the families and the troops themselves. He has stated avenues and been very specific regarding points of contact if families or troops can benefit from assitance. He has stated and quantified training programs for professionals who assist troops and their families. <br />Do I trust General Pittard and his leadership? <br />Count on It!!!! <br /><br />signed <br /><br /> Jeri Hallberg Harmon, M. Ed., <br /> B. Sci., Associate of Allied Health, Certified Community Health Worker, Certified Childcare Health Consultant 7/13/12Jeri Hallberg Harmonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742487410373715914.post-19074946361056450002012-05-24T17:21:43.249-04:002012-05-24T17:21:43.249-04:00Thank you Kurt. I agree but I wish he was the onl...Thank you Kurt. I agree but I wish he was the only one feeling the way he did. The fact is, the numbers speak louder than any words they use. That is very sad. I am wondering how long this would have gone on if National Journal never put the story out. After all, as Pittard wrote in his retraction, this was what he posted back in January, so the troops at Bliss have been dealing with his screwed up attitude all this time. What would have happened if we didn't know about it? How many others feel the same way? This is what happens when we turn on CNN, MSNBC and FOX and only hear political fights while they are fighting for their lives! No one is paying attention to them.Kathie Costoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05930848909252282916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4742487410373715914.post-13197813444344157902012-05-24T16:55:04.169-04:002012-05-24T16:55:04.169-04:00War destroys. It doesn't 'make people toug...War destroys. It doesn't 'make people tougher', it destroys them, grinding them down. It's just a matter of time, for everyone.<br /><br />That Pittard doesn't get that is a pretty serious indictment of his understanding of combat, and fighting troops. If he's not removed from such an important post, it will signal that the Army still isn't willing to recognize the cause and effect of PTSD.Kurthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705266339821930423noreply@blogger.com