Memorial for PA National Guard Specialist Ivan Jose Lopez

Please visit my Facebook page for more information. It is very late and the death of this Soldier has drained me. God Bless the troops of C-Company, 55th Brigade Special Troops Battalion (Engineers).

Ivan made the decision to go home. God rest his soul. For those experiencing grief, you are not alone. I have decided to tribute Ivan in my book chapter "Before It's Too Late". We must cast a wide net and watch for the signs of suicide. We must unite to prevent further events.

God Bless America and our Troops, wherever they are and especially if they are alone tonight.

Sam
Sam on Facebook

"Service and Sacrifice" book release pending and Rear-Jacket Text

To all my Comrades, friends and supporters,
I wanted to follow up my post from the Union League event Thursday night with some news from my publisher, Xlibris. The manuscript is due back to me from copy-editing by January 24th. I expect a quick turn around and I'll be sending it back for type setting. I'm hoping to have a release date in the first week of February. This is a very exciting time!

In order to keep up the energy, I wanted to put the hook out there for you all to read in advance. Below is the approved Rear-Jacket Text. Every book that sells will generate money for charity! We are going to help Veterans suffering from PTS and MTBI and their families! Please forward this blog site to your friends and choose "Follow" so you'll receive updates. I'd love to hear your feedback on this text and if you have any charitable donation ideas.

Sam

            This is a gripping story of men in combat… Army National Guard Lieutenant Sam Console, a platoon leader in Charlie Company, 103^rd Engineers and his men were mobilized in 2004 by the 28^th Infantry Division. This intrepid and brave group of combat engineers discovered, defused (and) destroyed IEDs, saving countless lives of the US Armed Forces, Iraqi military and civilians… 1^st Lt. Console graphically explains the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (TBI and PTSD)… This story will explain the great inner strength among the men of this company that developed in the crucible of combat. MAJOR GENERAL WESLEY E. CRAIG JR. (Retired)

            My research leverages narrative approaches to foster healing and reconnection for Veterans. I met Sam through a presentation of my work titled “Wounded Warriors and the Healing Power of Stories.” “Service and Sacrifice” continues the tradition of healing through writing. This book will help Veteran’s families understand what they faced overseas and how it affects them now. I believe it is important for all civilians to read works such as Sam’s to better understand the experiences of combat. Veterans are our co-workers, family, friends, and neighbors. Sam’s resource guide will help our Veterans, their families, and caregivers begin the process of their own healing journey. Simply put, there is something in this fine book for everyone.  Gala True, PhD, Core Investigator, Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion (CHERP), Philadelphia VA Medical Center

            Service and sacrifice defines the willingness of a people to volunteer during a time of need. Thousands have made the ultimate sacrifice.  Many more were injured or changed forever. Writing about Iraq has been healing for me. I’m positive it will be healing for others. Samuel J. Console, 1^st Lt., Combat Engineers, Pennsylvania Army National Guard

Two important updates related to Post-Traumatic Stress

Two important updates for this week.

First, I have the honor of being invited to attend a Post-Traumatic Stress seminar this Thursday night at the Philadelphia Union League sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers and the Armed Forces Council of the Union League.
"The Hidden Scars of Iraq and Afghanistan" with Presenters: Medal of Honor Recipient Paul Bucha & General Pete Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the US ARMY. These types of events are wonderful opportunities for the public to learn more about the depth of our veterans service and sacrifice. I will post follow-up information after attending this event as soon as possible. Here is a link to a local television news spot by Tracy Davidson about the evening:
January 13th NBC 10 News spot with General Chiarelli

Second, I have received information related to the signature wounds experienced by our nearly 2-million combat veterans. I highly recommend Veterans and their families take a look at this article:
"US Soldiers With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder More Likely to Feel Long-Term Psychological Effect"
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110103161323.htm
Quoted "ScienceDaily (Jan. 4, 2011) — Combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms appear to be associated with longer-term physical (headache, tinnitus), emotional (irritability) and cognitive (diminished concentration or memory) symptoms, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Conversely, concussion/mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI) do not appear to have long-term negative effects on troops.

Please to have lo forward this information to your peer and contact me if necessary. God Bless our troops and their families wherever they are in the world.

The VA has published a Returning-War-Zone Guide for Families at just the right time

I feel like someone is reading my mind. The Veterans Administration has launched a new page, just in time for inclusion in the Service and Sacrifice manuscript. I'll get the manuscript back from the publisher in the next four to five weeks. I will have had a chance to review the information at the new site (link below).

I highly recommend everyone who is following this project along to take a look at the new VA reintegration web site. I'd like your feedback as to how applicable this site is. Is this a duplication of effort from the Government One-Source pages? We won't know until we try. So take a look at it and get back to me.

VA Returning War-Zone-Guide for Families

Have a safe and Happy New Year. Please pray for our service members and their families during the holidays and throughout 2011. Lets hope all our troops come home as soon as possible.

Sam

Christmas, family and counting our blessings

I've been blogging since February 2010 and it has been a wonderful experience. I appreciate every one's feedback and all of you who have been following. The most wonderful news is that we've had a very nice family Christmas morning. It is the blessing I've wished for all year. The kids are happy and today will be a wonderful day.
In regards to the book, I've submitted the manuscript to Xlibris, my publisher, as of December 22nd. The manuscript will be in copy-editing for the next three weeks (maybe longer due to the holidays), and soon I will have a link for you all to buy your first copy of the book! It may not deliver until the print copy is ready for release, but I would appreciate all advanced orders so we can all begin to raise funds for this charitable effort.
I've got to go play with the kids and take time to care for my family and myself today. God Bless everyone who has cared enough to contribute to this writing effort and for supporting me for the last two years while I've written it. God Bless our troops and their families for their Service and Sacrifice in support of our nation and of all that is good in the world. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I'm praying for us all and for a Happy New Year!
Sam

Edits, edits, and more edits

I was surprised to note I haven't posted here since November 23rd. My goal starting out last February was to post at least one story or reference per week. Now I realize that just isn't possible for me. I suppose we're all just doing the best we can.
I have been deeply immersed in the process of incorporating comments from a professional manuscript editor. I've reached page 180 of over 230 as of today! It is amazing to see so many grammatical and conceptual mistakes. This was a great investment. The flow and impact of each chapter has improved. I'm enjoying this work instead of considering it criticism. That is a big change for me.
The new goal is to send the manuscript to Xlibris (the publisher) in the next two weeks. Pray for me folks, because this is taking everything I've got right now. I'm home on leave from work because my VA medicines got all out of whack. I wasn't sleeping and have just now begun to get some decent rest.
I've heard some great feedback related to this blog and other social media groups I belong to.
Finally, I wanted to share a link I found today. I have no idea how long this site has been up, but I already found a relevant article. Please take a look at it.
Happy Holidays everyone, and please pray for our troops and their families wherever they are around the world! God Bless,
Sam

< Click to jump to the Real Warrior web site>

To read the article about reconnecting with your teenage children:

PTSD Article in the NY Times really hits home for this Vet

I think everyone suffering from a medical condition that doesn't have very visible and recognizable symptoms would look for some form of validation their condition is real. The victim or injured knows something is wrong, but until there is a diagnosis, there is practically nothing to explain the feelings. I knew I was suffering when I came home from Iraq in November 2005 but I didn't know it was PTSD or even a medical condition. Sure I've had my ups and downs in life but everyone takes their licks and tries to pull it all back together again.
I knew something was wrong while I was in Iraq when I started getting headaches and tension migraines. Once I got home I thought things would get better, but they got worse. My family relationships were strained and I knew I had to seek help. I walked into the Philadelphia VA Medical Center and was immediately assigned a primary care physician. I think I did the right thing. I know many of our 'Walking Wounded' find other mechanisms to cope with PTSD symptoms. All too often they turn to drugs, alcohol or other outlets to dull the pain, confusion, frustration, and even the feeling of self-worthlessness.
I've wanted validation throughout my healing process and I've received it for the most part with excellent care and follow through by my care providers. Even with the additional diagnosis of a mild-to-moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in 2009, I was still seeking to understand my condition. That is why I collaborate using social networks like this blog and Linked-in to keep on top of PTSD and related news. My PTSD group on Linked-in forwarded me this link to a story published today in the NY Times. I highly recommend service men, women and their families read this article. If you notice any similarities between what you have read and what is going on in your life or the life of your Veteran family member, please seek professional medical care. If you don't trust the VA, seek care through a private care provider.
Here is the link to the article. Please contact me for more information about my research and opportunities to collaborate on these topics.
November 22nd NY Times PTSD Article
Patient Voices


Behind the Facade, Post-Traumatic Stress by: Karen Barrow