On Veterans and Killing

Dear Supporters of Veterans and The Welcome Home Project,

Here is an article from the NY Times about a study on the effects of killing or feeling responsible for killing while in combat. What is surprising is not that the moral ambiguities of war are here, but that there has not been a study like this previously.  I think it says something about both the military's and the public's willingness to avoid something that on the face of it seems quite obvious - that killing would be a prime factor in Post Traumatic Stress.  War is about killing, after all, which is clearly quite personal, but things seem to get lost in politics, strategies and timetables.  And, it should be stressed, this is a really difficult subject for all veterans which, out of respect, needs to be brought forward by veterans themselves when and only if they are ready.  There are innumerable ways to let them know that you care about their experience without asking about this.  This is an important article, so please forward it around.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/us/14killing.html?hpw

Take care,

Bill
The Welcome Home Project
541-821-4798
www.thewelcomehomeproject.org