Pres. Barack Obama Says American Combat Mission in Iraq Over, PTSD Effect on Soldiers

In the presidential address that Pres. Barack Obama delivered on Tues., Aug. 31, one particular section stood out to me.

"Tonight I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended," said Pres. Obama. "Operation Iraqi Freedom is over."

He continued to say, "We've removed nearly 100,000 U.S. troops from Iraq."

As soon as he made the comment, I pictured all of the veteran family and friends I've had over the years who have survived wars and been soldiers, too. My grandfather was in World War II. My cousin was in the U.S. navy and served in the Persion Gulf War. My godfather was in the Air Wing of the United States Marine Corp. I also had friends in college who signed up for the army to pay for school, and whenever I talked with mutual friends about that veteran coming back from war, the response was usually about how different that vet seemed.

While I'm relieved that troops are coming back from Iraq, I hope that they take up free readjustment counseling with organizations like the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. Post traumatic stress syndrome is common among military vets, and the story of how Gina, the bomb-sniffing dog, reacted when she came home is a prime example of what may happen.

Unfortunately a high school friend of mine also had a similar reaction. He came back from Afghanistan for a temporary break, and after knowing him for 13 years I'd never seen him be so moody. He startled me when he started crying in the middle of lecturing me about black women and black men being against each other. He ranted about the Willie Lynch Letter. He complained about how his Chicago friends wouldn't take a bullet for him if he was in trouble and how selfish they are. When I asked him why is he even wondering who would take a bullet for him, he talked about how you never know when you'll die.

Keep in mind both of us are from not-so-peaceful areas of Chicago, so the idea of being shot or attacked is not an alien thought. But sitting around wondering whether I'll live until the end of the day is not how I choose to live my life nor has that ever been up for discussion the entire time I've known him. I changed the subject. He went back to the same subject. His negative energy was draining, and I finally told him it was getting late and time for him to leave.

His attitude caught me off-guard because this wasn't somebody I just met yesterday. This was a platonic friend I grew up with who watched me go from teenager to adulthood. I even painted a Valentine's Day gift for his wife. So to watch his personality do a complete 180 made me wonder if he really did need counseling. Although I was initially happy to see him alive and in one piece and was completely against him signing up for the army, I got the impression that he seemed more comfortable there than in civilian life.

My mother would joke about my godfather being the same way. When he came back from overseas, she was thrown by his stiff demeanor. My godfather is one of the most flirtatious and charismatic men I've ever met, and even when he's serious, he's quick to crack a joke to lighten the mood or have his eyes glued on some random woman. I couldn't imagine him being a different person but while conversing with my own friend, I understood what she meant. She said it took my godfather a little over a year before he went back to normal, but a year is a long time for someone to be angry for no reason other than memories a family member or friend cannot control. My grandfather, who admitted to me that African-American soldiers "were treated worse than the dogs" while he was in Japan, rarely brings up his time in the service. But all of them get this faraway look in their eyes when they mention it.

On one hand you want to stick by the vet's side as any friend or family member should. But on the other hand, you can see yourself distancing yourself from that person because his (or her) attitude is different. Bad attitudes are contagious, and being around moody people will start to wear on your nerves. While my old friend and I are no longer on speaking terms, I certainly hope he does go back to his old self. While he wasn't personable the last time we spoke, I'm sure if I was in the same predicament I might not be Ms. Sunshine either. He ended up going back overseas not long after.

For anyone who can relate to this entry, check out counseling centers in your community. Encourage veterans who don't seem to be able to adjust to civilian life to talk to other veterans. The relatives I named above are examples of men who were able to readjust, but not everybody can or wants to. However, they have to make the decision to talk to someone who can relate. You can't force them to.