65th Anniversary of VJ Day - the end of World War II

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times/bct_news_details/article/26/2010/august/15/anniversary-brings-back-memories.html

This above links to an article that demonstrates that even after 65 years, the war has never ended for these veterans

John Basilone - I'm Staying With My Boys

I just finished this great book about one of the main characters in the HBO series The Pacific. John Basilone was a World War II Marine, a Medal of Honor winner for his heroics on Guadacanal. The approach of the book is a combination of Basilone's private life and his battlefield experiences. It chronicles his growth from a unfocused youth, unsure of his direction in life, to a battle hardened warrior whose primary duty is to his men. The personality of Basilone is well drawn and it with a sense of sadness that you reach the end of the book, being aware of the impending tragedy of Basilone's death at Iwo Jima.

The Pacific miniseries

Interesting article by former Senator Bill Bradley about the relevance of The Pacific miniseries to the experience of the combatants and veterans of today's wars.



http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/03/three-things-obama-should-think-about-while-watching-the-pacific.html

Flashback

Elderly Canadian veterans of World War II in a Veterans home have vivid flashbacks of the war. Sounds during an MRI trigger long ago memories of battle. To some of the residents with dementia, WWII is their reality.

http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/721827--64-years-later-our-wwii-veterans-still-remember?bn=1

World War II vet commits suicide at VA clinic

A South Carolina World War II veteran took his own life outside a VA clinic. He had attempted to get a PTSD classification (prior to 1980 it was called anxiety neurosis) a number ot times and it was always denied. Just demonstates the long lasting memory of war.

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/nation/20091129_ap_scwwiivetsbattleendsingunshotatvaclinic.html

Another World War II vet writes a book about his PTSD

Glenn, 85, has a long ponytail, easy smile and bright eyes that belie the sometimes somber nature of "The Hawk And The Dove," a chronicle of his wartime experience on Okinawa and in Korea following the end of hostilities with Japan. His book was recently published by Kittery-based Smith/Kerr Associates. He said he has battled post-traumatic stress disorder since before the now widely recognized issue had a name, and what began as a book about his experience in World War II grew into a tale of his long struggle with demons ranging from nightmares of killing and death to alcoholism.


Another story being told in old age about a World War II veterans struggle with the problem of war trauma which wasn't diagnosed and treated after WWII. Those who sought help, like my father, often got a diagnosis of anxiety neurosis and inability to digest war experiences.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20091110-NEWS-911100387

Return To Duty - MTV

This shows a young vet who was on The Real World returning to Iraq for a second tour of duty.