Dutch Pimp is one of the best guys in the world. I'll drop him a PM and link him to this thread and then, assuming he's open to communication, we'll see if he might post his email address on his profile. Is yours on your profile, BlueCat? If not, I can also be the go-between for email addresses. My address is below.

From what my son's friends and my young cousins have told me, one of the very good things about today's military is that there's a lot more psychological support than there used to be. Far more than there was during the days of the Vietnam conflict--and more, even, than during the first gulf war in the early 90s. They do a lot better job at encouraging soldiers and vets to seek counseling, and they're a lot better at catching PTSD as it's starting to emerge. They intervene earlier, and there are far more psychological resources the soldiers and vets can take advantage of. This is something I find reassuring. There are still battles against attitudes to fight. That tough, warrior exterior still makes it hard for some to admit they need help. From what I've read, Marines often have a unique resistance to seeking psychological assistance. But at least more help is available.

Glad you watched that CNN special, too. I was so impressed with the tenderness of those medical teams. And I cried my eyes out thinking about the injuries those kids were sustaining. Thanks, by the way, for the good luck message regarding school. Right now the best thing about med school is the fact that I'm on a three-and-a-half week holiday from it!
birdgirl73 Reviewed by birdgirl73 on . I want to share this with anyone that will listen Below is my pride and joy my hero.... he has had 2 of his buddies commit suicide. This is what he does everyday non stop it is not pretty to look at but it is the reality of war. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0yergfOPiQ The truth does not change with our ability to stomach it. This was today's story when he called me. He had to remove the legs of a 19 year old who had stepped on an IED. This guy also lost his entire lower part of his face. My son went back to check on him and Rating: 5