According to the Lone Survivor Foundation, it is estimated that 1 in 3 Combat Veterans suffer from invisible injuries. These wounds include painful symptoms such as flashbacks, avoidance, isolation, hyper-arousal reactions including anger outbursts.
According to National Center for PTSD, the number of Veterans with PTSD varies by service era:
Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF): About 11-20 out of every 100 Veterans (or between 11-20%) who served in OIF or OEF have PTSD in a given year.
Gulf War (Desert Storm): About 12 out of every 100 Gulf War Veterans (or 12%) have PTSD in a given year.
Vietnam War: About 15 out of every 100 Vietnam Veterans (or 15%) were currently diagnosed with PTSD at the time of the most recent study in the late 1980s, the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS). It is estimated that about 30 out of every 100 (or 30%) of Vietnam Veterans have had PTSD in their lifetime.
The statistics make us aware that many veterans continue to battle their way through daily life without help and without hope. Others continue to need help as they learn to thrive while understanding post traumatic stress and its effects on their lives and those around them. Simply put, our troops need our support.
“Remember the Fallen.......
I say Remember them standing, remember their faces, smiles, laughter. Remember they chose to serve and protect!!! Remember their sacrifice!! To the family members who have lost loved ones I stand up and salute you and say thank you for supporting my fellow armed service member.”