Beloved Brother Loses Battle with PTSD

My brother Shawn served 15 months in Iraq from 2007 to 2008. He did make it home from the war, but I’m not sure his mind ever left it. He got married, adopted two children, and welcomed another in 2009. But PTSD took over his life, and he lost the battle on Feb 6, 2012. There was a struggle and the gun went off, killing him almost instantly.

I feel we need to get more involved in evaluating the men and women returning from war. Shawn struggled finding work, which I couldn’t understand. A man who knew what HARD work was, a man who picked up a task easily, who strived to always go beyond what was expected. He battled night terrors, and all the guilt associated with coming home after so many of his buddies did not.

I am so thankful he was able to come home. My regret is that our country failed one of our finest, we failed to help him in his time of need. I love you dear brother, and miss you greatly. I have vowed to spread the word about PTSD! Please seek help if you are struggling or know someone who is struggling. God bless our troops.

Elaine Barber
Ogden, IL