It is time to make a difference

It is well known that the Veterans Administration is failing our Veterans with extended wait periods for treatment. Combat related PTSD and the other traumas of war will have a major impact on this country in a short time. It is time to become better educated and more prepared in order to face this "pandemic" which will besiege the USA. We must support our Veterans, especially in their darkest hours.

PTSD brings with it devastating and life changing events. It will impact families, employers, and neighbors. At some point, combat PTSD will touch your life. If you are informed and educated about PTSD, you will be prepared. What do you really know about PTSD?

As a nation, we are a visual society. We recognize corporate logos, and ad campaigns on television, ‘jingles’ we hear in relation to certain products. They become universal symbols which are immediately recognized and linked to what is being promoted.

During the Viet Nam war there were Prisoner of War (P.O.W.) and Missing in Action (M.I.A.) bracelets bearing the name of a captured or lost soldier. Those of us who wore the bracelets did not know the person whose name was engraved on the bracelet. This was a way to keep that person in our hearts and minds; it was a reminder of the sacrifice made by those who served our country. Within a short time of these bracelets appearance, everyone during that time knew what they meant.

We can do this again in support and recognition of the difficulties our returning soldiers are facing. “Red, White and Blue – to Black and Blue – PTSD” is a clear statement; they fight for the red white and blue, and come home black and blue, mentally and psychologically bruised and broken.

As Americans we must begin to make a public awareness statement that we know they are home, we know they need help; we support them. We must establish a universal symbol for PTSD.

To begin this awareness campaign, take a moment and go to http://rwbbb-ptsd.blogspot.com  Order a PTSD awareness bracelet; also order extras for your friends and family that you know support our Veterans impacted by PTSD. As these bracelets spread across this country awareness will be brought to PTSD.

The black and blue “swirled” color bracelets are $3.00. They are embossed with “Red, White and Blue to Black and Blue – PTSD”. Each bracelet ordered will be delivered with a black and blue satin lapel ribbon with a clutch back grip (not a safety pin.)

At the conclusion of all court proceedings in the trial of J. Patrick Lamoureux, proceeds from this awareness campaign will be donated to an entity that supports Veterans with PTSD and those severely injured by war. The organization selected is:

The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH). This organization was created to provide a way for individuals, corporations and others to help our severely wounded and disabled Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans and their families rebuild their lives.

I had a specific reason in selecting this organization. As I sat at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX waiting for my husband who had been airlifted out of the war, I met a very young wife of an injured soldier who was there for her husband. His name was B.J. Jackson, his wife was Abby. B.J. had lost both of his legs and was severely burned when his HumVee hit a land mind and was also hit by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). His chance for survival was guarded. B.J. is now the National Spokesman for The Coalition to Salute America's Heroes (CSAH).

There is power in numbers and with numbers comes voices that will be heard. We must join together to make a difference in the lives of those who bravely serve this country.
(SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, CLICK HERE:  http://rwbbb-ptsd.blogspot.com/)