I just got home from a pretty eye opening event at Walter Reed Medical Hospital. The company I work for does a lot of community work. One of the many resource groups we have is centered on the Armed Forces. The purpose of the group is to see how we can better leverage our resources and earn business in that industry sectors, as well as, “charity” work towards the causes. The company has teamed with the “Helping our Heroes Foundation”. This foundation was created to provide support to wounded warriors returning back from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This foundation has received 25 full 2-year scholarships to Colorado Technical University. The Scholarship would provide tuition, fees, & materials. We have been asked to step in and provide assistance getting the troops to complete an application and then help act as a mentor / sounding board for them.
It was a great night to sit and talk with these soldiers.
HBO Documentary
I watched an HBO documentary a few months ago which featured the stories of soldier amputees, told by themselves. It really affected my attitude regarding the war, realizing that for ever 1 dead in Iraq, we have around 10 wounded. And these aren’t Purple Hearts handed out for the cooks nipping off some skin with a paring knife; many of them are life-threatening, and almost all of them are life-altering.
I think it’s interesting that the official tally of “injured” (wounded) in Iraq is a bit under 30,000 soldiers… yet the unofficial tallies range up to 100,000. It’s certain there is damage to a whole lot more than the official numbers release. I just wonder how much.
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Matthew P. Barnson
Injuries both physical and
Injuries both physical and emotional. An article in the Washington Post today says that suicide in the armed forces is at a record high.