Posted: 4/18/07
Same stories often heard on vets' health issues
 With a list of 17 cancers, WW II vet Marvin Ford shared his thoughts on veterans' care with Cong. James Oberstar at last Saturdays Hometown Values Forum. |
By Rachel Kytonen
Isanti County News
He developed cancer in his bladder, right hand, ears and noise. In total, Marvin Ford, a Navy and World War II veteran, developed cancer in 17 places.
Ford was one of several veterans who told their stories at Congressman Jim Oberstar's 2007 Hometown Values Forum Saturday, April 14 at the Anoka Ramsey-Community College Cambridge Campus.
With a theme of "Our Military Community: Helping Those Who Serve," the form featured a panel of experts who spoke on post traumatic stress disorder and programs offered for veterans and their families through the Minnesota National Guard, Minneapolis VA Medical Center and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
"We're all happy to serve our constituents and we have a job there to cut through the red tape and bureaucracy," Oberstar said. "We need to take care of our veterans."
Following the formal presentation, the veterans spoke about the benefits of certain veteran's programs, but also voiced concerns and frustration with areas they feel need improvement, such as mileage reimbursement to and from VA medical centers and health care claims.
Veteran Ford was the first to speak during public input and described his time in the service and said he was a part of the Atomic Bomb Test. He voiced frustration with lasting heath affects and receiving proper medical care.
In regard to Ford's story, Oberstar remarked, "Unfortunately, your story can be repeated a hundred times over."
Continued from front
"Our treatment of veterans and their care has been underfunded as we move forward with the war in Iraq," Oberstar said. "We are spending $9 billion a month on the war in Iraq, while at the same time, our care for active duty military has lagged behind what's needed, as well as our veteran's care budget."
Post traumatic stress disorder
Melissa Polusny, the director of the Post traumatic Stress Recovery Program at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, said the majority of soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan won't experience PTSD, but gave warning signs of what to watch for.
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur following the experience or witnessing of a traumatic event. A traumatic event is a life-threatening event such as combat, disasters, serious accidents, or assault.
Polusny said most survivors of trauma return to normal given a little time. However, some people will have stress reactions that do not go away on their own, or may even get worse over time. These individuals may develop PTSD.
Polusny said certain reminders may trigger PTSD such as the smell of the soil in the spring or the smell of fuel or the sound of a car engine back firing.
She said soldiers might try "avoidance coping" where they avoid places which remind them of their time in the service. She said this tactic does work in the short run, but not long term.
A few warning signs of PTSD includes:
• Recurring thoughts, images or nightmares
• Difficulty sleeping
• On edge, easily startled
• Feeling withdrawn
Polusny said PTSD can lead to other problems such as depression, anxiety, anger, irritability and substance abuse.
Polusny said veterans need to seek professional help when the problems are causing considerable distress, interfering with daily life and activities, and aren't getting better with time.
"When a soldier comes home from a combat tour, a normal reaction is to feel some distress, but when it continues, that's when it's important to get help," Polusny said.
Polusny said the main reasons soldiers don't ask for help include the fear of being seen as weak, the fear of unit leadership treating them differently or the fear that their unit members might have less confidence in their abilities.
National Guard and veteran's affairs programs
Col. Eric Ahlness of the Minnesota National Guard said the guard focuses on what can they do to best help the members of the guard.
He touched on the guard's "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon" program which hopes to change how soldiers and airmen are reintegrated back to their communities.
The program is named as a reminder that the support of soldiers cannot end when they return from deployment and the yellow ribbons are untied.
Reggie Worlds, director of veteran's programs at the Minnesota VA Regional office, said his office does everything it can to help support the veterans.
"We also want to make it known that as a department we won't forget those who have already served," Worlds said. "If you have any issues you need to have resolved, you need to let us know. We want to help you and talk to you."
Worlds stressed the importance of talking to your local veteran's service officer, indicating they are the gateway for the veterans to gain access to all the departments programs and services.
"We have resources available to you and we deal with problems in a very expeditious manner," Worlds said. "Every American life is affected by the service of our veterans and we're extremely grateful for their sacrifices and we thank them and their families."
VA Minneapolis Medical Center
Curtis Carrie, outreach liaison for veteran and congressional affairs for the VA Minneapolis Medical Center, said the medical center provides a wide variety of services including primary care, specialty care, mental health care, PTSD, extended care and rehabilitation and pharmaceutical services.
Carrie said the Minneapolis Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center at the medical center is one of four facilities in the country designed to provide intensive rehabilitative care to veterans and service members who experienced severe injuries (including brain injuries) to more than one organ system.
He said family members can help their veterans by encouraging them to enroll in the VA medical center, encouraging them to contact their local county veteran service officer, learning what to expect and how to help and stay in contact with veteran resources.
Getting help
Oberstar told the group of veterans, who spoke about their frustrations and concerns, to leave their contact information with his staff and he will make sure they look into the specific issues and concerns.
Worlds told the veterans to not give up getting their issues resolved.
"You guys need to stay vigilant with your claims and concerns," World said. "We will work with your county veteran's service office to make sure your issues get resolved."
Oberstar said the veterans need more attention.
"Those who should never be forgotten are our veterans," Oberstar said. "We know, my own family, knows whose served. We owe you everything."
Cambridge Mayor Marlys Palmer said since Cambridge has two local units, there are readiness groups available when they are deployed.
"Since we have some military units in Cambridge, when a member of a family is deployed, our readiness groups really try to help those who are left here,"
Palmer said. "We really are so grateful for the service to our country. I have never known Congressman Oberstar to not be sensitive, attentive and responsive to our concerns and needs."
For more information on PTSD visit www.ncptsd.org. For more information on the Department of Veteran's Affairs and the VA medical centers visit www.va.gov.
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