Why I like Vietnam Vets better.

[Britt]

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[Kris]

I am glad to hear that you both are feeling up after the meeting

[Gillian_Angela]

I think having older men as role models for him are exceptional. I know DB has talked with a few Vietnam Vets at the VFW (he likes it for the beer ) and he said they were a different type of soldier and are a different kind of man. Come from a different generation basically!


I think you guys should keep going to these meetings

[lucygooosy]

Thats great! My DB needs some role models like that. He just started going to the VA, he has his first mental health appointment in June and since he's been out of active duty (dune 08) he has been locked up in the house, playing his video games. I'm slowly getting him out to do more, but its a struggle sometimes. Where did you find this group?! DB isn't too keen on the idea of a support group, but maybe if it were one like the one you attended, he might be more willing!

[Songtan Sally]

Originally Posted by Britt Tuesday night we had our first couples/group counseling at the Vet Center. It was run by my personal counselor. We were the only OIF/OEF couple there. It was great, and I think in a way more positive than the OIF/OEF group we attend Thursday nights. I love the OIF/OEF group because they are our age however --- unlike the Vietnam Guys ---- the OIF/OEFers are all on disability and Social Security. None of the work. Most of them stay home all day and drink and/or smoke dope. The Vietnam guys all came home from the war and got jobs. While substance abuse was HIGH for the Vietnam guys, they all pursued careers. I think this is a positive reinforcement for my husband. I've been dreading August when he is going to be fired (already set it up with his supervisor), so he can go to Roseburg, apply for 100% Temporary Unemployability and SSDI. It frustrates me because my husband is ridiculously intelligent. I don't want him wallowing the day away, locked in the house, playing video games or sleeping. It won't be good for him. So after the Tuesday group with the Vietnam guys, we went to dinner. He told me that he didn't think he could do nothing forever, he just wanted a break from having to do something. I'm so excited to hear this, and can't help but think it was because he saw all the Vietnam guys who have the exact symptoms as he does, and they were able to work on their problems, while holding down a job. Don't know where I was going with this post ... I guess I'm just hopeful.

Right now, with the economy the way it is? I wouldn't put a lot of blame on today's vets not working. That's not fair.

And trust me, it took the Vietnam vets a while to get to where they are now. Their first few years home, they were the same as our guys are now. Plus, with that war, the military was despised and they didn't get the respect that today's military, and the WWI / WWII vets got. There is a lot more support and acceptance today for our vets than there was in the 1970's.

[Britt]

Originally Posted by Songtan Sally Right now, with the economy the way it is? I wouldn't put a lot of blame on today's vets not working. That's not fair. And trust me, it took the Vietnam vets a while to get to where they are now. Their first few years home, they were the same as our guys are now. Plus, with that war, the military was despised and they didn't get the respect that today's military, and the WWI / WWII vets got. There is a lot more support and acceptance today for our vets than there was in the 1970's.

The OIF/OEF guys in our group do not work because they don't want to, not because they can't. 3 of them live at the Domicilary.

It was because of the Vietnam guys that the VA has changed, and why the support is available. I'm fully aware of how the Vietnam vets were treated when they got home.

My husband has been criticized because of his involvement in OEF. He didn't get all of the "acceptance" and "support" just because of where he was, and what he did.

ETA: Also, I wasn't saying this about ALL OIF/OEF veterans. I'm talking about the ones with diagnosed with PTSD, and are in this area. I think it was unfair of you to automatically assume I was lumping all vets together, given where I posted my original post.

[Britt]

Originally Posted by lucygooosy Thats great! My DB needs some role models like that. He just started going to the VA, he has his first mental health appointment in June and since he's been out of active duty (dune 08) he has been locked up in the house, playing his video games. I'm slowly getting him out to do more, but its a struggle sometimes. Where did you find this group?! DB isn't too keen on the idea of a support group, but maybe if it were one like the one you attended, he might be more willing!

I'm not sure where you guys live, but my husband gets his counseling through the Vet Center. It's a counseling/support center for Veterans and their families who are experiencing "difficulties with reintergration."

Here's the link, it has a button you can type your zip code in to locate a vet center. http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/

[LittleMsSunshine]

That's great that the older guys were able to give him a little hope

There definitely is a lot of inspiration there... for the Vietnam vets who were able to work through things, despite the lack of support.... and the lack of available resources. I believe that it speaks volumes about their strength of character. None of them ever had any of the support that our guys receive today.

Thankfully our government/society has slowly begun to pull their heads out of their asses... and begun to address PTSD as a legitimate problem that needs treatment.... rather than sweeping it under the rug.

Our system is not perfect..... but it's certainly come a LONG way since Vietnam