Help for veterans
Your story about former Army medic Eugene Cherry, his post-traumatic stress disorder and the horrors of war was exceptional (“Bringing the war home” Feb. 3). Thank God for the veterans who help out their brothers and for therapists who will give people like Eugene what the system did not. I was moved by Eugene and his situation and am praying that the movie production doesn’t set him back in his healing.
— Mary Carr /Batavia
AS AN AIR FORCE Reserve psychologist, I would like to address some of the mental health services available to returning service members that were not presented in “Bringing The War Home.”
MilitaryOneSource (militaryonesource.com) has a 24/7 hot line staffed by trained counselors (1-800-342-9647). It is available to all active-duty, National Guard and Reserve members and their families; it is also available for veterans within six months of separation from service.
Military bases also will refer service members to TriCare providers in their community (1-877-874-2273, Northern Region), if the wait time for on-base mental health services is too long. If service members have trouble getting an appointment for a deployment-related health condition, they may call the Deployment Health Helpline (1-800-559-1627). An anonymous on-line screening program is also available (militarymentalhealth.org).
For separating service members, immediate enrollment in the Department of Veterans Affairs is strongly encouraged, since the VA will provide free services for veterans who served in combat zones, but with time limitations for registration.
Finally, I would challenge the U.S. mental health community to help serve our wounded warriors. Last year only half the psychology residency positions were filled in the Air Force because of lack of applicants-despite the fact that the Air Force will reimburse tuition loans and will pay beginning captains far more than they would make in the private sector.
— Col. Janet M. Kamer, Air Force Reserve, Director, Department of Psychology DuPage Medical Group / Wheaton
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Welcome back
I’m so very glad that Leah Eskin is back writing her food column (Home on the Range, Feb. 3). I enjoy reading her recipes, but more than that I truly relish the warm and witty prose that accompanies them. Also, kudos to her for going public with her breast cancer experience. She has raised public awareness and probably even saved some lives.
— Annette Clark / Sleepy Hollow
LEAH ESKIN’S ARTICLE brought tears to my eyes. It is not the first time she has done this. I remember when she talked about having a biopsy, and her words resonated so much with me. At the time, I was 29 years old and beginning chemo treatment for breast cancer while pregnant with my second child. I remain impressed with the grace with which she writes about the subject.
Lacey Sikora / Oak Park
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