Evans calls for attention to less visible human damage of war

U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, D-Rock Island, convened a panel Thursday to urge additional resources for the families of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Rep. Evans, the ranking Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said treatment of the syndrome must involve families. "We commit a serious disservice to veterans and their families if we only focus on the veteran with PTSD," he said.

Witnesses from service groups said the problem will be a big issue for veterans of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Today we are faced with a new generation of psychologically damaged veterans," said Nancy S. Switzer, founding national president of the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America.

Rep. Evans said Defense Department research indicates PTSD will affect at least 18 percent of service members returning from Iraq and 11 percent of those serving in Afghanistan.

Rep. Evans has authored PTSD legislation that, among a number of provisions, would require the Veterans Administration to incorporate families into its Vet Center programs for veterans with service-related disabilities and those who die within a year of returning from combat.

The big ugly secret in this war (or any war) is that hundreds of thousands of servicemen will return with serious and traumatic mental problems, and that a shocking number end up committing suicide, violence, or lead desperate and miserable lives.
Evans is to be commended for demanding that the country provide the best care and services possible to those who answered Bush's call to war and have had their mental health shattered due to the stress of living with the constant threat of violent death and witnessing barbaric brutality, death, and violence.