I am sickened over the news of what happened in Marietta, Ga. yesterday. A man calls a news station and is a veteran. He is suffering from PTSD. I know and most of you know on here that the 4th of July is not a good time for military families and veterans suffering from PTSD.
I can give a little background on the VA and the mental health facilities in that area. The Atlanta VA has really good patient care….Normally . This is with the exception of holidays. Comparing the Atlanta VA to the Florida Va’s would be like comparing apples to rotten oranges and the rotten oranges being in Florida. Except during holidays and all healthcare facilities suck during that time.
There have been incidents in Atlanta but normally they work out in favor of the veteran. This is not necessarily the case in some VA facilities. I know there is a great pysch doc at the Atlanta facilities who is a hostage negotiator and I see her name not mentioned anywhere regarding the incident. Dr. Saldevia may be one of the best doctors in the VA system but this was a Weekend following the 4th of July.
I do know what triggered the vet when he walked into the bank. He was broke...He was sick..He was desperate, hungry and tired. He was tired of not getting some financial assistance or just compensation regarding his service connected disability. The Marine did tours as a combat vet. He was seeking help because I assure you he could not find gainful employment, he felt lost, firecrackers and explosions had been going off left and right and the VA and every other mental health facility was working skeleton crews with limited funds.
I know this much about combat vets. They are proud. They are vulnerable during holidays and privatizing VA healthcare systems is not the answer. I do not think the situation was handled like it should have been. I know there was a time when a psychotic break for a vet could check into the VA hospital and seek therapy. I know there was a time a hostage negotiator would be talking to the vet to talk he or she down but this time it seems as though every single law enforcement agency was on guard ready to shoot to kill and shoot to kill they did. He claimed he needed food and some help. He claimed he had a bomb but no weapon or bomb was found nor did searching his motel room that he was being evicted from show any evidence of violent malice toward anyone. He let all but two hostages go...So we are back to law enforcement and how poorly this was handled. I know Windy Hill Road and it is heavily populated. I understand the caution that had to be taken and assumption that he may have had an explosive device BUT where were the bomb sniffing dogs? Where were the negotiators? Where were the psychiatrists? I really want to find out who this child left behind is.
Where was Karen Handel? This man was sick and he served his country and where was the compassion? According to news reports his brother believed he could have talked him down but was not given the opportunity to speak or try to help his brother. The veteran had an 8 year old little girl. She is without a Daddy tonight. The police said, “ They saw a window of opportunity so they took it when they shot him dead”. Do I think this situation could have been handled better? Absolutely. I think the brother should have been able to talk to his sibling and all lives mattered..Not just the two hostages and veteran. ALL THE LIVES. The veteran was desperate and hurting. Sad situation but people don’t really care about the soldier once the uniform comes off. Atlanta VA has better healthcare than many but during the holidays, it is extremely volatile and the facilities are isolated. One of the first things that should happen with Vets experiencing trauma is the ability to reach out to professionals and healthcare professionals should be extra staffed the week before and after and during holidays like the 4th and New Years. It isn’t.
God, I hate the 4th of July. I know what it does to military families. It’s hard and it’s dangerous. It’s fight or flight in PTSD combat vets for many. You guys are aware of the flight pattern. What was it ….Four years ago over the 4th we lived that nightmare right here when my vet disappeared for 3 or 4 days.
We need to do more for these returning soldiers and it starts with understanding the needs and less aggression and wars. Big Talk and Lost lives… That is the American Way ! Celebrate…..Away with your fire in the sky noisemakers. Imitate the sound of IED and Mortar shells. I mean, this is America. We do so much for so many. ( Rolls eyes).