Contrast between Iraq and home a challenge to some returning SC soldiers

[kayell]

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1816809

Imagine living in a war zone. You're always on alert and always ready for battle. It's a reality for many soldiers from Columbia and Sumter in the 101st Airborne. They're home after serving a year in Iraq.

Some, like SGT. Charles Robinson, are facing a new battle, "You snap real quick. You find yourself getting mad over simple stuff."

They're fighting to readjust and learning how to live life after combat. SGT. Herbert Caldwell says he's sensitive to noises and touch, "My mom want to sneak up on me and give me a hug and I just jump up for no reason."

SPC. Nichole George has a hard time sleeping at night, "I get flashbacks of how it used to be over there."

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[NMDemDist2]

1. Please don't let another generation be scarred by war

please don't start drafting the young men and women and send them to war, come back to nightmares, alcoholism, drug abuse, and tortured relationships.

please, Not another Viet Nam

[Stuckinthebush]

2. It was about this time last year

as I was driving through Columbia and Sumter that I got the finger from a polished-up new private. My offense? A Dean bumper sticker.

Interesting, huh? He was angry at a candidate who was trying to stick up for him.

I hope all of the returning soldiers heal quickly - both physically and mentally.

[saigon68]

4. In about 20 years

This guy will be homeless and shit on by the VA.

[Stuckinthebush]

5. If Bush has anything to do with it, that will happen in 2 years

Hasn't he cut VA funding and other funding for veterans?

[saigon68]

7. A whole lot I'm afraid

Unfortunately, they blame it now, on Kerry

[NuttyFluffers]

3. *sigh* didn't debrief the soldiers again...

why is it so hard to get it through the military's head that after a major event like war you need to debrief the soldiers of this mindset before releasing them into civilian life? they should be putting these people into qualified psychologists' hands and help them cope before they start self-medicating.

here comes the living casualties of the war... and all from basic selfishness and incompetence from our leaders.

[Bandit]

6. Well Duhhhh

Vietnam ring any bells here? In combat one day and the next on the streets of America. There will be more killing right here in America by our brave warriors I have no doubt. They are conditioned to kill and see nothing wrong with it.