PTSD Conference - Day 1
Posted by White Rose at 10 Feb 2007, 6:20 AM 
Categories: Support Our Troops,General Stuff,news,A Contractor's Perspective
Categories: Support Our Troops,General Stuff,news,A Contractor's Perspective
WOW, what a day! A couple of the guys showed up around 1000. One of them was Robert Rowe, my driver from the last ambush I went through in Iraq back in August 2004. I have talked about him here several times as well as in my book. He has been fighting to get his benefits from Halliburton/KBR/Service Employees International/AIG ever since he was shot on that mission. He had good news to tell when he arrived. It looks like his case is going to be heard next week and the prospects for a favorable verdict are good.
There was also another guy, Tate, that showed up about the same time as Robert. Tate was not a truck driver and he did not work for KBR, but he walks with a cane and has a limp. He can't stand on his feet for any length of time and has several pain and other medications that he is taking. He was shot with an RPG. It is amazing that this man is alive, much less walking around. The RPG entered the lower right side of his back, came out the front in the hip area and then went through him upper thigh and back out there. To see the pictures of his Humvee and the hole it left..... well, it makes his story even more amazing.
The difference between these two guys is one has been taken care of very well, and the other has not. Tate, had a company representative that has been with him every step of the way from the time he was hit through today. He seems to be dealing with things much better than those I have met that are very angry because they are still fighting just to get the medical care that they need.
Brian was shot in the head while on a convoy in Iraq. He is also a 'Defense of Freedom Medal' recipient. He tried to return to Iraq after he healed from his wounds and was promised that he would not have to go outside the wire again. For a while it seemed that the company was going to make good on what they told him. But a couple of months later they put him back in a truck. He didn't last long at that and came home. He has not worked since returning home because of the medication he is on.
Steve drove a flatbed while in Iraq. several time he had to go recover vehicles that were damaged in an ambush. He recalls the smell of burnt human flesh with such detail that you will think you are smelling it yourself. His PTSD is extreme. He has, at times, had murderous thoughts along with being suicidal. He also has not worked since returning from Iraq because of the medications that he is on.
Another contractor that showed up was on the Preston Wheeler convoy. Talking to him was very enlightening. He and his wife are really cool people. I have not gotten his full story or what he is dealing with, but I will.
Later in the afternoon, more people started showing up as well as the reporters. One of the producers from the 'Dan Rather Show' was here with a camera crew. They talked to everyone here and did formal interviews with a couple of the guys. They will catch more of the contractors today at the conference at the VFW. We also have a lady from the 'Chattanooga Times Free Press'. What a nice lady. have talked to her many time on the phone and she did an article on me and another guy from Tennessee several months ago. She also interviewed several of the guys that showed up yesterday and will finish up with them today. We also had John, a reported from 'The New York Times', here. He spent some time talking with several of the guys and will be back at the VFW today. NPR will be showing up today and I think a coupe of others, but I am not sure who.
Anyway, It was great to meet people that have 'been there and done that' and understand things that I am not sure I could fully explain to those that have not been there and them understand it all. I am looking forward to today and meeting even more contractors and soldiers that have been in Iraq as well as the Vietnam Vets that are going to been there. What a great combination of people we are going to have today.
There was also another guy, Tate, that showed up about the same time as Robert. Tate was not a truck driver and he did not work for KBR, but he walks with a cane and has a limp. He can't stand on his feet for any length of time and has several pain and other medications that he is taking. He was shot with an RPG. It is amazing that this man is alive, much less walking around. The RPG entered the lower right side of his back, came out the front in the hip area and then went through him upper thigh and back out there. To see the pictures of his Humvee and the hole it left..... well, it makes his story even more amazing.
The difference between these two guys is one has been taken care of very well, and the other has not. Tate, had a company representative that has been with him every step of the way from the time he was hit through today. He seems to be dealing with things much better than those I have met that are very angry because they are still fighting just to get the medical care that they need.
Brian was shot in the head while on a convoy in Iraq. He is also a 'Defense of Freedom Medal' recipient. He tried to return to Iraq after he healed from his wounds and was promised that he would not have to go outside the wire again. For a while it seemed that the company was going to make good on what they told him. But a couple of months later they put him back in a truck. He didn't last long at that and came home. He has not worked since returning home because of the medication he is on.
Steve drove a flatbed while in Iraq. several time he had to go recover vehicles that were damaged in an ambush. He recalls the smell of burnt human flesh with such detail that you will think you are smelling it yourself. His PTSD is extreme. He has, at times, had murderous thoughts along with being suicidal. He also has not worked since returning from Iraq because of the medications that he is on.
Another contractor that showed up was on the Preston Wheeler convoy. Talking to him was very enlightening. He and his wife are really cool people. I have not gotten his full story or what he is dealing with, but I will.
Later in the afternoon, more people started showing up as well as the reporters. One of the producers from the 'Dan Rather Show' was here with a camera crew. They talked to everyone here and did formal interviews with a couple of the guys. They will catch more of the contractors today at the conference at the VFW. We also have a lady from the 'Chattanooga Times Free Press'. What a nice lady. have talked to her many time on the phone and she did an article on me and another guy from Tennessee several months ago. She also interviewed several of the guys that showed up yesterday and will finish up with them today. We also had John, a reported from 'The New York Times', here. He spent some time talking with several of the guys and will be back at the VFW today. NPR will be showing up today and I think a coupe of others, but I am not sure who.
Anyway, It was great to meet people that have 'been there and done that' and understand things that I am not sure I could fully explain to those that have not been there and them understand it all. I am looking forward to today and meeting even more contractors and soldiers that have been in Iraq as well as the Vietnam Vets that are going to been there. What a great combination of people we are going to have today.
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