Title

Article on the mental-health struggles of troops returning from Iraq, with a foc

Authors

Deirdre Fulton

Source

Portland Phoenix

Date

7-13-2007

Pages

8-9

Abstract

Article on the mental-health struggles of troops returning from Iraq, with a focus on the scheduled return of the Battery A, 1st Battalion, 152nd Field Artillery Regiment of Maine's Army National Guard, known as "SECFORII." Chaplain Andrew Gibson, who returned in April from a tour in Afghanistan, coordinates a team of civilian and military volunteers that helps service members upon their return from conflict. Chaplain Gibson believes that all returning soldiers have some kind of "post-traumatic stress reaction." In addition to normal readjustment issues, the SECFORII troops will also be dealing with the June 14 death of comrade Sgt. Richard Parker of Phillips. About 875 veterans of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom are receiving medical attention through the state's Veterans Affairs Department, but the state does not track whether those patients have physical or mental symptoms. With details of a survey of 532 Maine Army National Guard members conducted by the Portland-based Community Counseling Center, and comments on programs at the Portland Vet Center, and the Sanford Vet Center.

Subjects

Veterans, Iraq War, 2003, Maine Army National Guard, Community Counseling Center

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