Posted: 4/19/07
Veterans head to Home Values forum
By Rachel Kytonen
He developed cancer in his bladder, right hand, ears and nose. In total, Marvin Ford, a Navy and World War II veteran, developed cancer in 17 places.
Ford was one of several veterans who told their stories during Congressman Jim Oberstar's 2007 Hometown Values Forum. With a theme of "Our Military Community: Helping Those Who Serve," this year's event was held Saturday, April 14, at the Anoka Ramsey-Community College Cambridge Campus.
The form featured expert panelists who spoke on posttraumatic stress disorder and programs offered for veterans and their families through the Minnesota National Guard, Minneapolis VA Medical Center and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
"We're all happy to serve our constituents and we have a job there to cut through the red tape and bureaucracy," Oberstar said. "We need to take care of our veterans."
Following the formal presentation, during public input, the veterans spoke about the benefits of certain veteran's programs, but also voiced concerns and frustration with areas they feel need improvement, such as mileage reimbursement to and from VA medical centers and health care claims.
Ford was the first veteran to speak during public input and described his time in the service and said he was a part of the Atomic Bomb Test. He voiced frustration with lasting health affects and struggles receiving proper medical care.
In regard to Ford's story, Oberstar remarked, "unfortunately, your story can be repeated a hundred times over."
"Our treatment of veterans and their care has been underfunded as we move forward with the war in Iraq," Oberstar said. "We are spending $9 billion a month on the war in Iraq, while at the same time, our care for active duty military has lagged behind what's needed, as well as our veterans care budget."
Posttraumatic stress disorder
Melissa Polusny, the director of the Posttraumatic Stress Recovery Program at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, said the majority of soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan won't experience PTSD, but gave warning signs of what to watch for.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur following the experience of or witnessing a traumatic event.
A traumatic event is a life-threatening event such as combat, disasters, serious accidents, or assault.
Polusny said most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. However, some people will have stress reactions that do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These individuals may develop PTSD.
Polusny said certain reminders may trigger PTSD such as the smell of the soil in the spring or the smell of fuel or the sound of a car engine back firing.
She said soldiers might try "avoidance coping" where they avoid places which remind them of their time in the service. She said this tactic does work in the short run, but not long term.
A few warning signs of PTSD include:
• Recurring thoughts, images or nightmares.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• One edge, easily startled.
• Feeling withdrawn.
Polusny said PTSD can lead to other problems such as depression, anxiety, anger, irritability and substance abuse.
Polusny said veterans need to seek professional help when the problems are causing considerable distress, problems with daily life and activities, and when the problems aren't getting better with time.
"When a solider comes home from a combat tour, a normal reaction is to feel some distress, but when it continues, that's when it's important to get help," Polusny said.
Polusny said the main reasons soldiers don't ask for help include the fear of being seen as weak, the fear of unit leadership treating them differently or the fear that their unit members might have less confidence in their abilities.
National Guard and veterans affairs
programs
Col. Eric Ahlness of the Minnesota National Guard said the guard focuses on what can they do to best help the members of the guard.
He touched on the guard's "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" which is a program designed to aide how soldiers and airmen are reintegrated back to their communities. The program is named as a reminder that the support of soldiers cannot end when they return from deployment and the yellow ribbons are untied.
Reggie Worlds, director of veterans programs at the Minnesota VA Regional office, said his office does everything it can to help support the veterans.
"We also want to make it known that we as a department won't forget those who have already served," Worlds said. "If you have any issues you need to have resolved, you need to let us know. We want to help you and talk to you."
Worlds stressed the importance of talking to local veterans service officers, indicating they are the gateway for the veterans to gain access to all the departments programs and services.
"We have resources available to you and we deal with problems in a very expeditious manner," Worlds said. "Every American life is affected by the service of our veterans and we're extremely grateful for their sacrifices and we thank them and their families."
VA Minneapolis
Medical Center
Curtis Carrie, outreach liaison for veteran and congressional affairs for the VA Minneapolis Medical Center, said the medical center provides a wide variety of services including primary care, specialty care, mental health care, PTSD, extended care and rehabilitation and pharmaceutical services.
Carrie said the Minneapolis Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center at the medical center is one of four facilities in the country designed to provide intensive rehabilitative care to veterans and service members who experienced severe injuries (including brain injuries) to more than one organ system.
He said family members can help their veterans by encouraging them to enroll in the VA medical center, encourage them to contact their local county veteran service officer, learn what to expect and how to help and stay in contact with veteran resources.
Getting help
Oberstar told the group of veterans who spoke about their frustrations and concerns to leave their contact information with his staff and he will make sure they look into the specific issues and concerns.
Worlds told the veterans to not give up getting their issues resolved.
"You guys need to stay vigilant with your claims and concerns," Worlds said. "We will work with your county veterans service office to make sure your issues get resolved."
Princeton Union-Eagle
P.O. Box 278
Princeton, MN 55371
Telephone: 763-389-1222
Fax: 763-389-1728