PTSD ~ Where there is HOPE, There is HELP

PTSD... Four little letters which can dramatically change a person’s life. PTSD stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Its definition tells us it is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

While much of that definition seems true to what those who suffer through PTSD endure, the word disorder doesn’t quite seem to be appropriate. A disorder is defined as an irregularity, while a wound is defined as an injury. United States Army General, Peter Chiarelli recently said in an interview that he would like to see it changed from PTSD to PTSI, Post Traumatic Stress Injury.  

 

Some may ask and even argue, why does it matter what it’s called? The answer is simple. It helps remove a stigma that sadly many associate with PTSD. We have some of the bravest people in the world volunteering so much of themselves and answering the call to duty. Even the most courageous of warriors are still human though. They can hurt and feel pain just like you and I do. 

       “Few sights are quite as heartbreaking as an ordinarily powerful man, broken, devastated, and reduced to wordless grief.” - Retired U.S. Navy SEAL, J. Robert DuBois - from the forthcoming book, Powerful Peace.

One of the hardest decisions someone suffering through PTSD can make is to take that first step and ask for help. Many may feel they can handle it on their own, or simply believe it will just go away in time. This is not the case. Just as one cannot perform surgery on oneself and take the place of a medical professional to cure all that ails them, the same holds true for PTSD. Even the strongest, bravest, selfless and most valiant warriors need help. 

That need for help is where we all come in. There are numbers that they can call if they are in crisis or just need someone to talk with, but it is up to every one of us to make sure that all of our men and women who suffer know what their options are. Data released last year tells us that a staggering 18 veterans commit suicide every day and that over 950 suicide attempts are made every month. The information obtained also revealed that they were able to rescue approximately 7,000 veterans from the act of suicide after they called the Veterans Crisis line at (800) 273-8255 (TALK), Option 1.

The most important thing to remember is that all those who suffer must know that we are here for them. We do not judge, we do not question, we do not ever falter in our dedication to help them cope with all they’re suffering through. If that means they need us to sit and hold their hand, then we sit and hold their hand. If it means they need us to listen to them, then we will listen to them. If that means they need us to hold them tight while they cry, then we hold them so very tight so they know that we won’t let go. We must be there for them. There is simply no excuse not to be. We must be there to help them find their way back.   

Do not let their grip loosen, place your hands over theirs and give them the strength to hold on. 

We know you will make it through! We owe so much to you!

This post was a collaboration between the Honor Them

and SEAL of Honor pages.

Please share and  spread this blog in hopes that our veterans and active duty

know that as long as we are here, there is hope and there is help.

U.S. Army memorial knife for Wardak, Afghanistan, Extortion 17

In honor of the 5 crewmen lost from the 158th Aviation Regiment and the 135th Aviation Regiment, U.S. Army National Guard aboard Extortion 17, Wardak, Afghanistan, 8/6/11, DS&S Tactical is offering for auction a very special knife.... This CQBT-B Advanced Combat Knife - a M390 Super Steel blade has now been coated with Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) - the toughest, most advanced coating available for knife blades. The knife is being auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

DIRECT LINK TO THE AUCTION:
CLICK HERE

 

The production of this blade was made possible by Donny Bassett and the Society for the Preservation of Military History as well as the work of Re-New Sharpening and the assistance of Waterjet Cutting Inc. of Albuquerque. The next-generation coating was applied by Ion Bond and the engraving was done by KaMo Engravers of Albuquerque. The concept for this blade came from a discussion with Ssgt Manny Alvarez, U.S. Army.

DS&S Tactical's Charity Knife Auction in honor of those fallen on 8-6-11

On August 6, 2011 our nation was rocked by tragedy when a CH-47 Chinook carrying 38 Warriors was shot down by a rocket propelled grenade in the Wardack Province of Afghanistan killing all 38 people on board.  Of those who died, 17 were U.S. Navy SEALs, 5 were U.S. Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command Support personnel, 5 were crew members from the U.S. Army's 7th Battallion, 158th Aviation Regiment and 2nd Batallion, 135th Aviation Regiment, 2 were special operations U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen (PJ's) and 1 Combat Controller from the Air Force Special Operation Command (AFSOC); also on board was a highly trained U.S. military dog.

Sadly, the event was reminiscent of a blow we felt a little over six years ago on June 28, 2005, when we lost 11 U.S. Navy SEALs and 8 of our U.S. Army's Night Stalkers in Operation Red Wings.  Until August 6th that had been the single worst loss of life in the Special Operations Command in Afghanistan. The similarities and immense number of casualties served as a chilling reminder of the grief felt six years ago.

DS&S Tactical, a company founded by a Veteran of Somalia, is making a total of four custom knives to honor our fallen Warriors. These knives will be auctioned and sold to the highest bidder with 100% of the proceeds made going to charities which will help military families. The first knife in the series, and the one you see below will benefit The Navy SEAL Foundation in honor of the fallen heroes of 8/6/11 Tangi River Valley "Extortion 17".

For those of you who have watched me on my mission to Honor Them in the past year you know that any organization willing to give back to military or veterans and their families is always going to have my full and unyielding support. So I ask you to please share this very worthy cause with as many people as you can so that we can help DS&S Tactical raise as much money as possible to give back to those who have given so much.  As always, I thank you for your support and all you do to Honor Them.

"All gave some ~ Some gave all"

LINK TO AUCTION

From the DS&S Tactical website:

Because we can:

DS&S will offer a separate knife for charity auction, in remembrance of each of the military services represented in the lives lost at the Tangi River Valley. Below, is the knife marking the lives and accomplishments of the Navy SEALs who died that day. In the coming weeks, we will produce three other blades: One for the Army, one for the Air Force - and we will also produce one to benefit Military Working Dogs. All four knives will be produced by us and 100-percent of the proceeds will go to charity to benefit military families...

The Tangi River Bullshark - now ready for handle and sheath construction - and the special nano-infusion process, which will make the steel as much as 100 times stronger than it is now.

 

 This is a close-up pic of the raw engraved blade which will be infused with single-walled carbon nano tubes - truly super steel .... and one of a kind.

A special thank you to DS&S Tactical for allowing me to post this information from their site. 

A few other pictures of the Tangi River Bullshark

Nano Tubes are applied.
They begin to fill in the cut channels and link together






  
The blade once it's coated

The blade once it's cured