LATEST SUBMISSIONS

Returning veterans need support

Saturday, November 10 at 12:00 AM

By Rep. John Kefalas

On Monday, I will spend a quiet day with my daughter-in-law and granddaughters, Lillie and Barbara. I have cleared my schedule because I want to pause for a day to honor and remember our veterans. On this Veterans’ Day, my wife and I will think about our son, a father and husband, in his fifth month serving in Afghanistan in the U.S. Army.

This Veterans’ Day, I ask you to do more than shop the sales and play with your kids. On this day, let us celebrate the past and present members of our armed forces for their sacrifices made and their courage displayed, as they risk their lives for others’ peace and freedom. While we may have different opinions about the foreign policies that have led to the Iraq war, we can agree that our soldiers and veterans deserve our deepest support and respect.

Soldiers and vets face serious challenges today. I don’t need to remind anyone about the dangers posed by the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are all well aware of the threats on the ground. Unfortunately, amid the ongoing media coverage in those troubled parts, the struggles that soldiers face after they return home from prolonged tours in battle zones are still widely ignored.

Our current military engagements impose a powerful plight and a lasting toll on soldiers and their families. As many as one in six soldiers are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder upon their return. While accurate numbers are hard to come by, research indicates that returning veterans face much higher risks for depression and substance abuse when compared with their peacetime counterparts. More than 400 troops who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan have committed suicide since those two wars began. Army researchers found that the percentage of soldiers who intended to divorce their spouses increased from 9 percent to 15 percent upon returning from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A number of contributing factors are compounded to create the challenges that homebound soldiers face. The nature of the conflict forces soldiers to contend with protracted high-stress conditions. Many soldiers serve in the reserve forces or National Guard and may not be fully equipped to deal with the heavy combat operations or foreign military endeavors required. Finally, soldiers — more of whom are women than in any previous American military engagement — are likely to serve multiple tours-of-duty, which greatly expands the likelihood of both physical and emotional trauma.

My son, Staff Sgt. Harlan Kefalas, currently serves our country in Afghanistan. He served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and in Bosnia before that, as part of the peacekeeping forces there. He has chosen a military path to serve his country and I sincerely honor his choice, although I would like him to come home.

I can’t bear the thought of him or his colleagues returning to this country and not having access to all the resources he may need to make a healthy transition back into the U.S. But this situation is increasingly likely because resources for mental health for returning soldiers are drained.

Some, like the thoughtful leaders at Fort Carson, are working to solidify and expand the services available to veterans. We must support such efforts, or the soldiers returning from the risks and stress of the front lines may have to cope with more battles on the home front — homelessness, social disorders, substance abuse and family strains — all alone.

Democratic Rep. John Kefalas represents Fort Collins and Larimer County in the General Assembly.

READER COMMENTS

I just completed 21 years of military service as an Air Force officer. I served three tours in the Middle East since 1991, and completed finished a four-month deployment to Balad, Iraq in November 2005.

Since I retired in February 2006, I haven't been able to find a decent job -- despite having three college degrees and myriad skills and experience.

My salary has gone from $70K per year down to $28K, and I have little hop of improving my situation any time soon.

In fact, at several recent job interviews, employers have expressed much concern over how my skills would "translate" and how I would "fit in."

I have a news flash for employers -- military people are some of the hardest-working most creative-thinking, dependable employees you could ever hope for.

Instead of writing off veterans -- how about giving us a chance to show what we can do in the civilian workforce?

THAT's how I'd like to see veterans being honored and supported.

Yellow ribbons really don't help us, you know?

Posted by Republican Guy on November 11, 2007 12:57 PM

Sorry 40 acres, but my experience is different from yours. My grandfather, an avowed republican (as well as a white guy) served in naval combat in WWII. Ever hear of Leyte Gulf.? My great uncle (also white and republican) flew fighters over England. Your race-fueled argument is full of holes.

Posted by Bumpskier on November 11, 2007 09:29 AM

40 acres: If Republicans don't serve, how do you explain Mike Coffman (secretary of state)or State Senator Steve Ward (a Colonel currently serving in Iraq)? Huh? I'm listening!

Posted by Bumpskier on November 10, 2007 09:17 AM

I wasn't surprised to see Rep. Keflas is a Democrat. The GOP and rich folks don't serve in uniform. The best way to serve our troops returning to Colorado, is for folks to put pressure on congressional reps, on both sides of the political aisle. Colorado's vets are handicapped because only one of these congressional reps, has ever served in military uniform.

I served in 3 deployments to Vietnam. I am simply stunned at how the VA can thumb its nose at federal laws, regarding disabled military benefits. I filed for disability with the Denver VA office in 1992. They refused my claim becuase the physician that had screened me, "retired". The "rule of law and spirit" and intent" of the law, as defined in CFR-38, specifically states, "vets will be given the benefit of the doubt".

Same situation with Denver Social Security Administration. Judge Antionette Martinze denied me my disability, despite the fact a that VA "contracted" rehab company (Vermeer Rehabilitation Inc.), stated I was "unemployable". A state "contracted" physician stated the same diagnosis. Several V A physicians also agreed. Because of my ebony "hue", I flunked Martinez's "color" test too. Taxpayers are paing multiple times for the same result (federal funds fruad, waste, abuse, and RICO violations).

US Sen. Shamnesty Salazar (captain. SS Amnesty-just another slave ship) won't help because is too busy pandinderig to his criminal illegal Mexican friends. Shamnesty and his brother did vote for their own $484K federal farm subsidy, but they didn't vote for my "7" years arrears social security disability pay. Allard did step up to bat. Blacks folks should write this down.

I proudly join US Rep. Murtha (USMC Vietnam War hero), "I wouldn't serve in today's armed forces with these guys and their draft deferments".

JJ Tenant
Lt. Commander, USN, LDO, Ret.

Posted by 40acresandmymuleandNAMvetbennies on November 10, 2007 07:26 AM