Purple Heart for PTSD ‘Needs to Be Looked At’

[PinkMartini]

Article (http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49781)

WASHINGTON, May 5, 2008 – With growing recognition of the toll post-traumatic stress disorder has taken on U.S. forces, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said the Defense Department may consider awarding Purple Heart medals to combat veterans afflicted with it.

What do you guys think? Is PTSD worthy of a purple heart? Why or why not?

I don't know how I feel about it... My BIL who just got back from 18 months in Iraq has severe PTSD from being over there, as well as high blood pressure and a few other health problems that he didn't have before he went on his tour of duty. He was lucky that he didn't receive any severe physical wounds but his mental wounds are pretty severe.

My other BIL is due back from his 2nd tour in Afghanistan and we're all hoping he's fared better than his brother did....

[WisWis]

I don't have time to get long winded on this, but my initial reaction is no, Purple Hearts are for physical wounds and should remain that way. PTSD is an issue that needs to be dealt with, but it doesn't deserve a PH. I think that they hand out too many of them as is. Thankfully, Zach came home from all three of his deployments in good shape mentally and relatively good shape physically; he could have gotten a Purple Heart if he'd cared enough to file the paperwork/document the wound. His wound was small though (from shrapnel) and not worthy of a PH in his opinion. I'm pretty sure he'll feel the same way about PTSD, but I'll check with him when he gets home. He may have more to add.

[Niobe]

I'm in favor of it. I think it's far past the time to recognize mental illness and trauma as being equally as debilitating and damaging as physical illness and trauma.

[WisWis]

Really though, it's war itself a damaging and debilitating occurance? Aren't most people changed after experiencing it? Should they receive a PH as well, simply for going through it? It's watering down what a PH used to mean. My views are, I'm sure, shaped by DH's, but many of the wounds that result in a PH aren't what I think of as wounds. A person who received a PH during WW2 was really wounded; today not so much.

[katmg]

My gut reaction - no. I say this as someone who has watched her father deal with the after-affects of wounds he received in Vietnam. I certainly think there needs to be treatment and attention brought to PTSD but I don't think that medals should be given out. Hell, my dad doesn't think his Purple Hearts are all that great - he's just happy he gets a discount on license plates.

I think that all people come back changed from war. Certainly those with PTSD are possibly more affected mentally than others but I think b/c it is not a physical wound it is more difficult to judge.

[Southlooper]

I'm in favor of it. I think it's far past the time to recognize mental illness and trauma as being equally as debilitating and damaging as physical illness and trauma.

ITA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Off the top of my head I can name 10 Vets who deserve this honor and this is from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.

[gayle]

I'm in favor of it. I think it's far past the time to recognize mental illness and trauma as being equally as debilitating and damaging as physical illness and trauma.

Well put and I completely agree!!

[kedzieb]

I think there should be some sort of acknowledgement of the suffering and long-lasting post-war stress & mental trauma. I'm not sure the Purple Heart is the answer.

As it exists now, isn't it for a specific injury in combat? It doesn't seem like it's given for cumulative war injury. So you'd getting a PH for taking a bullet in battle but not for a back injury from days of carrying gear on manuevers.

I think PTSD seems to fall into the result of war experience as a whole. Maybe we should take better care of our veterans when they come home instead.

[phoenics]

I think some recognition needs to happen for soldiers afflicted with PTSD. That can be far worse than a physical injury, imo.

But a PH doesn't seem like enough to me - like kedzieb said - we need to take better care of our veterans when they come home.

[jennylou]

I think there should be some sort of acknowledgement of the suffering and long-lasting post-war stress & mental trauma. I'm not sure the Purple Heart is the answer.

As it exists now, isn't it for a specific injury in combat? It doesn't seem like it's given for cumulative war injury. So you'd getting a PH for taking a bullet in battle but not for a back injury from days of carrying gear on manuevers.

I think PTSD seems to fall into the result of war experience as a whole. Maybe we should take better care of our veterans when they come home instead.

I agree with this.

[villanelle75]

I'm not sure. I really don't know how I feel about this. My gut is that instead of worrying about this and spending money on a working group or whatever, we should be worrying abut giving these men and women the resources to get well. I am sure that is much more important to them than a ribbon, though I am sure that many might feel validated by the ribbon as well.

[Dan's*Girl]

My gut reaction - no. I say this as someone who has watched her father deal with the after-affects of wounds he received in Vietnam. I certainly think there needs to be treatment and attention brought to PTSD but I don't think that medals should be given out. Hell, my dad doesn't think his Purple Hearts are all that great - he's just happy he gets a discount on license plates.

I think that all people come back changed from war. Certainly those with PTSD are possibly more affected mentally than others but I think b/c it is not a physical wound it is more difficult to judge.

ITA with all of this. My dad still suffers from severe PTSD from his 2 tours in vietnam and being a POW. He got the purple heart, but it was for being wounded in action and saving his platoon from being killed by the vietkong. Now that's what it's for IMO.