Working for the government, I am continually faced with the war’s effects on families. Over 50% of the soldiers in my unit got divorced upon returning from our year deployment to Iraq.  It is very difficult on both the soldier and the familyiesupon return from combat.  Both the soldiers and the famiies need a strong support system from their units.  The soldiers also need help transitioning into civilian life, and applying for Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits.

My husband  Edward,(also an Operation Iraqi Freedom vet) and I were finally married after being engaged after 3 years.  Edward had been out of the military when I was deployed to Iraq.  We got engaged while I was on R&R from Iraq in October 2004.  After I separated from the military in May, 2005, we postponed our wedding, due to readjustment issues.  We were married on September 29, 2007. 

I have many friends who have been deployed multiple times.  I work with veterans on a daily basis, and have had an opportunity to speak to other Iraq combat veterans.  I have seen many veterans who have returned from combat, who were having issues with readjustment but have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). You can learn more about PTSD, and how it effects veterans by checking out the PTSD Information Center