He is the first living Iraq War veteran to receive the honor. On the 58th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 2002, Swinners, the first person in her family to serve in the military, raised her right hand and took the oath to become a soldier. A TRAUMATISED veteran killed himself after losing nine pals in the Iraq war, heartbroken friends say. Even with precautionary personal safety plans in place, it wasn’t enough. Swinners takes things day by day and is moving forward from her traumas. The first of these was a brief, conventionally fought war in March–April 2003, in which a combined force of troops from the United States and Great Britain (with smaller contingents from several other countries) invaded Iraq and rapidly defeated Iraqi military … Double-amputee Iraq war veteran fulfills dream of becoming a police officer; Police: Armed suspect tried to steal officer’s gun, burn them with aerosol torch; Officer fighting for his life after being dragged by car during traffic stop – police say this was the driver; British lad stabs mum 118 times, calls cops and says … It was extremely difficult because we ended up getting attached to an infantry unit, which at that time was unheard of because infantry units hadn’t open to females.”. Join the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry and the Gulf War Registry to document your exposures and health concerns. She would get told by her fellow Soldiers and people she met in the community that she was too pretty or too young to have served. The perspectives were diverse, ranging from baby-faced Army privates serving straight out of high school to veterans who re … I am a proud female Veteran and I am not invisible.”. Four decades later, veterans of the Iran-Iraq war still can't forget. — VAntage Point Contributors provide insight and perspective on a wide range of Veterans issues. My invisible scars. The .gov means it’s official. An official website of the United States government. For many Iraq War veterans, a whole new phase of struggle began when they returned home from war… Take these steps to make sure you’re taking care of your health: Talk to your primary health care provider or your local VA environmental health coordinator about any health concerns related to your military service.Find your local VA environmental health coordinator, Ask about joining these registries to document your exposures and health concerns:The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit RegistryThe Gulf War Registry. Find out if you can get VA health care benefits. Dad-of-two Lance Shingler, 34, was crippled by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since leav… Not sure if you qualify? “Even though I’m crying now, these aren’t tears of defeat. Thank you for your service and your sacrifices. If you’d like to contribute a story to VAntage Point, learn how you can submit a guest blog at http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/how-to-submit-a-guest-post/, Posted on Dec 18, 2020December 16, 2020 131 views, Posted on Dec 17, 2020December 11, 2020 2 comments 6k views, Posted on Dec 17, 2020December 11, 2020 1 comment 324 views, Posted on Dec 9, 2020December 9, 2020 2 comments 454 views, Gregory Walker   Iraq War Veteran, Changing Places user. As a two-tour Iraq War veteran who survived five gunshots to the chest in 2007, Jake Whipkey understands the … Disability really can and does happen to anyone. She made the choice not to report the assault because she thought she was supposed to be “one of the guys” and that it would be easier to just deal with it. With everything, there is always a risk. I was blown up in Iraq in 2003. "War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." “I feared the enemy, but I knew the enemy wasn’t just the insurgents. “I suffer from PTSD and anxiety like many Veterans. She was often harassed but tried to shake it off and proceed with her efforts to be the best soldier she could. Mark S. Villamac Ho joined the military after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and deployed in early 2003 to Al Numaniyah, Iraq, as an aircraft rescue firefighter. In fact, Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans are at risk for a number of mental health problems. An Iraq War veteran injured overseas now has a new place to call home. I am my mom’s only child and I told her that I would be leaving. “IAVA is vital to the future of our veterans – and the future of all Americans. The physical health of veterans has also been found to suffer. These are warrior tears. Issued on: 23/09/2020 - 18:52 Modified: 23/09/2020 - 18:57. Your browser is out of date. As Swinners neared the end of high school, she met someone that would provide an opportunity to change her path in life. Soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are showing high rates of PTSD, alcohol use, depression and difficulties with anger. She served her country proudly and credits her mother for always pushing her to be the best version of herself. She would get told by her fellow Soldiers and people she met in the community that she was too pretty or too young to have served. Life in a war zone circa 2004 was often a balance of monotonous preparation and waiting followed by moments of sheer terror. Iraq Veterans against the War (IVAW) Founded in 2004, the IVAW was established to call for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, while also seeking the removal of occupying forces from Afghanistan. During their deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) , many Veterans were exposed to a wide array of toxic substances and psychologic stressors, most notably airborne/environmental pollutants from open burn pits. Philbrook’s story is one of dozens that Iraq War veterans and their families shared with Yahoo News this month, the 10-year anniversary of the start of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Any mental condition or physical condition that started or was worsened by your time in the service may be eligible for Iraq War Veterans Disability Benefits. Despite everything she has endured, she has no regrets. She cried so much. Stay informed and help us prepare. After returning from her tour in Iraq, Swinners had a hard time adjusting and not being recognized as a solider or a Veteran. Iraq combat veteran Paul Rieckhoff, the founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said what’s missing from the national conversation about recent hostilities with Iran is a strategy. -JFK Swinners was sexually assaulted by another solider. War: Iraq War, 2003-2011 Branch: Army Service Location: Iraq Theme: The Global War on Terror: Edward C. Dahlgren War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Army Service Location: Oberhoffen-sur-Moder, France; European Theater Theme: Medal of Honor: Eugene Lewis Daniel, Jr. War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Army Jennifer Roy is a public affairs specialist for VA North Texas Health Care System. “Every single day was tough emotionally, wondering if you were going to make it to the next day. McNutt was an Iraq War veteran who worked for Toyota in Blue Spring, New Albany 'TikTok is one messed up app,' Twitter user Elise wrote. Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) condemns in no uncertain terms the bombing of Sharyat airbase in Syria six days ago by Donald Trump’s administration. She was expecting to face an enemy. Swinners deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. See if you qualify for disability benefits due to:Gulf War IllnessContact with hazardous materials. “It took a minute. There are many things to deal with once he or she returns home from war. What Swinners didn’t expect was that she would also face and fight an enemy face-to-face inside the perceived protection of being inside the wire at her base. To use this website, please, Illnesses or injuries caused by occupational (job-related) hazards, Side effects of Mefloquine (brand name: Lariam®), Find your local VA environmental health coordinator, Download our Toxic Embedded Fragments fact sheet (PDF), Learn more about the Depleted Uranium Follow-up Program, The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. It would take several years for Swinners to reengage with VA, her health and her benefits. It was an enemy within the ranks.”. David G. Bellavia, of New York. I just left. Learn about these conditions and what to do to take care of your health. Learn more about your VA health care benefits, your health care team, and where you’ll go for care. That is why I am proud to support this incredible organization,” said Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies. Benita Swinners grew up just outside Dallas and was raised by her single mother. She has come to a point in her life, thanks to VA, where she can talk about it. As veterans of the unending and expanding wars conducted over the last 16 years, we know intimately that U.S. military intervention exacerbates and further militarizes … FREDONIA — Matt Wronski, a Marine Corps veteran and Fredonia High School graduate, has “Judge” by his side to help heal the battle scars from his five tours in Iraq, thanks to the Veterans Club at the State University at Fredonia and WNYHeroes, a non-profit that supports veterans and their families. The original intent of the organization was to ensure that veterans returning from the war in Iraq, would not be subjected to the same treatment of veterans from the Vietnam war, in which … Iraq War Veterans may have been exposed to a range of environmental and chemical hazards that carried potential health risks. Iraq War Veterans, Veteran Iraq War T-Shirt, Iraq War Vet, Iraq War, Army Veteran, Military Veterans, Second Persian Gulf War, Iraq Wars FantasticDesignsShop. VA’s Women’s Health Transition Training brings information to transitioning service women, Stephen Wolfert: De-CRUIT and Veteran therapy, VA Adapting to meet women Veterans’ needs, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmiqnAQTTCI. “I’ve been proud to serve on IAVA’s Board for eleven years as they continue to fight for the veteran community and … Republican and Republican-leaning veterans are much more likely than veterans who identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party to say the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were worth fighting: 45% of Republican veterans vs. 15% of Democratic veterans say the war in Iraq was worth fighting, while 46% of … “It was terrifying,” recalled. The experience of a traumatic event has been connected with a number of physical health problems as well as unhealthy … I was fearful to even walk around our forward operating base.”. Learn about these conditions and what to do to take care of your health. It was a very difficult time to get through, but I did. Iraq War Veterans health issues If you served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation New Dawn (OND)—anytime between March 19, 2003, and December 15, 2011—you may be at risk of certain health conditions. A sense of duty, fear and the unknown came over her. Looking back now, I think, how did I do that?”. Sand, Dust and Particulates Swinners searches an Iraqi woman as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.   Anger Problems in Veterans … After all of this, I am still here. “When I got to Iraq, I was one of just three females in our unit. I may not look like a Veteran, I don’t look like a disabled Veteran, but I have invisible wounds.”. Throughout the entire Iraq War, there have been human rights abuses on all sides of the conflict. Health problems caused by toxic chemicals or other hazardous materials in the environment, like: Illnesses or injuries caused by occupational (job-related) hazards: Chemicals, paints, radiation, and other hazards you may have come in contact with through your military job, Side effects of Mefloquine (brand name: Lariam®): A drug given to military personnel to help protect against malaria (an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes). A nonprofit thanked veteran Johnathon Replogle Thursday for his service with a new home in Punta Gorda. “An Army recruiter approached me at school one day and I thought, You know what, let’s do this, so I signed up. It was a fight that wouldn’t end with a cease-fire call or removal from the battlefield. After his son is killed in a police traffic stop, Iraq War and Marine Corps veteran Lincoln Jefferson goes to extraordinary lengths in a quest for justice. “Unfortunately, I know what it’s like for your battle buddy to not be your true battle buddy. However, I had one good arm left and was able to manage my bladder and bowel needs very well using Conveen … She decided to pursue health care and her earned benefits with VA. Swinners’ first interactions with VA were less than ideal. Iraq War Veterans Disability Benefits are available for many different conditions. She became a certified Zumba instructor, a homeowner and a federal employee in the years since she left the military. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. Iraq War Veterans: Still Coping with Invisible Injuries. In fact, she earned two. She is now an advocate for her fellow women Veterans to use VA health care. If you served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation New Dawn (OND)—anytime between March 19, 2003, and December 15, 2011—you may be at risk of certain health conditions. Your injuries didn’t have to occur in Iraq to obtain Iraq War Veterans Disability Benefits. I had to carry a club with me just in case.”. I felt that all of my service was for naught.”. I was left paralysed and bladder & bowel incontinent. Iraq War, also called Second Persian Gulf War, (2003–11), conflict in Iraq that consisted of two phases. Audio 05:52 . The Iraq War Veterans Organization, or IWVO, was founded on April 12, 2003, by Russell K. Terry and William T. Hutchison. Studies have consistently shown that veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars exhibit high rates of PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders. December 4, 2020 at 10:39 am. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Required fields are marked *. The fight would linger with her for years. It was also my fellow soldiers. “I am a survivor of military sexual trauma in Iraq. Get the latest updates on COVID-19 vaccines at VA. It was just the two of them. The site is secure. What we’ve learned in the 13 years since the start of the Iraq War is that a soldier’s journey is not quickly over. With members across the nation, IVAW aims to educate the public about these conflicts, in the U.S. and abroad. From shop FantasticDesignsShop. Veteran Marine Corps Sgt. Free healthcare — Iraq War veterans can receive five years of free healthcare … April 9, 2019 April 9, 2019. The president presented the Medal of Honor to former Army Staff Sgt. After four years in the Army and four years in the Army National Guard, she separated from the military. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anger are common in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. I’m her baby but I told her it was going to be for the best.”. Sort By: Featured Items Newest Items Best Selling A to Z Z to A By Review … It was difficult for all females because we didn’t have our own separate showers, so a female would have to pull guard for me. We're working closely with the CDC and other federal partners to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Veterans and VA health care personnel. Iraq War Veteran Hats Buy Iraq War Veteran hats & caps here and save, plus get free USPS domestic shipping on orders $100 or more. “The clerk told me he needed the name of my husband because he was the Veteran, not me. Every morning, I would hear the Islamic call to prayer and then I would hear mortar rounds. Swinners became the first person in her family to earn a college degree. Service members do not deploy whilst unhealthy, but often … A Pilot Study of Airborne Hazards and Other Toxic Exposures in Iraq War Veterans … Find out if you can get disability compensation (monthly payments) and other benefits if you have an illness or injury caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service. Official Blog of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Posted on Friday, December 4, 2020 10:00 amNovember 30, 2020 Posted in Health, Women Veterans by VAntage Point Contributor 1 comment 3k views. 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