New York State Marches for Peace

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More than 30 veterans of five wars approached Col. Kenneth Riddle at the Watertown Armed Forces Day Parade on Saturday, requesting an opportunity to discuss the need for adequate mental health care for those serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. He recommended that they schedule an appointment to meet with him at a future date to discuss these issues.

According to a recent study, more than 18 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day. More soldiers who served in Afghanistan and Iraq have died at their own hand than have those who died in combat.  These soldiers and veterans did not receive the quality of care they needed. Many more are self-medicating with alcohol.

Maj. Gen. Michael Oates regularly publishes the names and photographs of Fort Drum soldiers who are arrested for DWI.  Rather than resorting to such humiliation, the General should address the root causes of the soldiers’ stress.

The VA has covered up this problem, and the cover-up is perpetuated locally.  At the parade, Jefferson County legislator, Carolyn Fitzpatrick told a local TV reporter that she hoped the veterans’ efforts to speak with Col. Riddle wouldn’t be aired.  We believe it is time to air this issue and help prevent any more suicides.

If you truly support our troops and our veterans, we ask that you call or write Col. Riddle and Maj. Gen. Oakes and demand that they be provided with adequate and appropriate mental health care NOW!

Eli Wright, Iraq War Veteran

Jason Peterson, Desert Storm Veteran

Douglas H. Ryder, Vietnam War Veteran

Peter Bronson, Korea War Veteran

Roland Micklem, WWII Veteran 

and 30 others

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/nyregion/15march.html

http://oneidadispatch.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19674336&BRD=1709&PAG=461&dept_id=68844&rfi=8

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20080517/news03/924324507/-1/news