Healing Combat Trauma

An American Veteran on Neglect -- "Compensation for the Scars, Nothing for the Wounds"

Jim Tabb, who writes the wonderful occasional blog post at OldTimer, has an exceptional article about the history of the American veteran as abused and discarded, after he'd served his usefulness. 

Here's just one excerpt about how difficult the conditions World War II veterans returned to at home:

"In 1946, the VA had beds for about 82,000 patients but the VA rolls swelled to 15 million in just a few months and the hospitals were virtually all swamped.  There were 26,000 non service related cases also on the waiting list. The VA was building new hospitals but had money for only 12,000 more beds.  They came too few, too late."

Eddie Livingston, pictured at left, was an American hero, but you've probably never heard his name. A World War II veteran and former P.O.W., he was with the 82nd Airborne 504, 3rd Battalion, I Company. He fought in five European campaigns. When he came home, he felt abandoned by his government, and lived with his wife, Helen, without lights or running water for 30 years. Periodically he wrote his thoughts down and shared those with others, in letters to elected officials. He also told his story to family members, such as his loving niece, Pam Baker, with whom he came to live right before he died. Pam has since shared parts of his painful story with others. The snippets that emerge are of an amazing "everyman" veteran, who speaks from his heart about the agony and very little ecstasy after combat. Eddie Livingston's story is very much consistent with what Jim Tabb writes about, in the tradition of the American veteran being abused and discarded after war.

The Greatest Generation didn't talk about PTSD, though many, like Eddie Livingston, endured it. In another excerpt from a letter he speaks pointedly, though obliquely, about his PTSD:

"I have just one question: How callous and uncaring can one's government get? I understand Germany -- West Germany -- has made a remarkable recovery thanks to billions in American aid. But I have not done so well and am getting worse. All I have ever received from my government has been insults and abuse and 10% ($19.00) service-connected compensation per month for the scars, multiple of wounds (7) suffered in action. $19.00 for the scars; nothing for the wounds."

Kenny Carnes' One Man Show, Three Generations of Soldiers: "Pieces of War"

Kenny Carnes is a unique individual.  A New Englander and former Army attack helicopter pilot, now with a masters in holistic counseling, he has a one-man show, currently touring the U.S., that talks about three generations of soldiers, called "Pieces of War." (It's also available in book form from Amazon.com).

From the promotional material about the show:

No words can relay the experiences endured while in a combat environment. But, through public performance and open recognition we attempt to capture meaning in order to mend the wounded warrior.

Written largely in rhapsodic verse "Pieces of War" is a one-man show delivering a rapid fire cadence of rhyme and rhythm to weave a portfolio of stories from three generations of American war fighters. As a son returns home from Iraq his grandfather recalls his victories at Normandy while a father becomes lost in his voiceless shame trying to forget Vietnam. Inspired by true stories, Carnes live theatrical performance makes meaning through conflict, captures understanding through provocative contemplation and unites audiences in common dialogue surrounding the universal journey of the hero in all.

Our post-show interaction forum invites soldiers to dialogue with audience and artists so theatre can become a gateway to community recognition, healing and personal reintegration. Our partner programs in attendance offer unique training options helping soldiers and their families to reunite and read just upon home coming.

During a recent post show discussion a Vietnam Veteran ("Sgt. Jon Doe") was able to disclose his traumatic wartime experience for the first time in 35 years! "Sgt. Jon Doe" was so physically shaken from the catharsis energized by "Pieces of War" that it marked the beginning of his therapeutic process. Thanks to the well trained staff like those at Brown University, men and women like "Sgt. Doe" begin to heal from the embracing support of a caring, listening community.

"We do not fight to end the war."
"We do not fight to bring them home."
"Our fight begins when they get here."

Many of our war veterans experience an often silent, but always serious readjustment process upon their return home from the warfront. This workshop provides a unique opportunity to reestablish oneself back into the fabric of family, the workforce and the social position. Participation in intensive workshops, trainings and extended programs provides veterans, soldiers and family members an alternative to the traditional combat decompression process. Designed by combat vets for combat vets as an effective training and experiential retreat, facilitators bring those enrolled to a new level of managing life, career and family roles. Working with other combat veterans soldiers will strengthen coping skills, secure re-alignment and foster leadership for post-war recovery periods. 

For a link to Carnes' veteran readjustment workshop, click here.

Carnes' book, Pieces of War, is available on Amazon.com, and is linked here.

http://kennycarnes.com/video_warpeace_6mins_dialup_WMA.WMV

Editor's note: For more information about Kenny Carnes, see below:

Kenny Carnes (SAG, AFTRA) is a theatrical artist, story teller and performance poet who stages an array of original solo-plays to create thought provoking arts-based dialogues built upon current events. As a “Master of the Monologue” his theatrical creations act as sharp instruments that examine the human condition shape-shifting himself through a portfolio of archetypal characters that transport audiences on an existential journey toward their own richer understandings and internal truths.

Carnes has been called, “…a powerful messenger” by NY-Theater.com and praised for his oral poetry which artfully unites polarities and diversities. Appearing on hundreds of notable stages such as the Woodstock Historic Theatre, The Carnival Center for the Arts, The Admiral Theatre and St. Michael’s Playhouse his solo performances touch thousands each year. “His provocative playwriting has an enormous capacity to heal and transform us,” Brown University and his rapid fire rhapsodic verse deemed him "the EMINEM of Theater” by The Providence Journal.

Since training at the American Conservatory Theater his original monologues have gone on to educate, enlighten and heighten social awareness at universities, theaters, performing arts centers and on corporate campuses. With a Master of Arts in Holistic Counseling with a thesis concentration on Expressive Arts Therapies from only one of three graduate programs of its kind in the United States, Carnes meets the growing need for integral solutions through his action-based workshops for students, executives and artistic leadership. Kenny Carnes recently received united praise from southern New Englanders for his radio show “Voices of Freedom” on WPRO News Talk 630, has appeared on National Public Radio and has worked as creative talent for Twentieth Century Fox, NBC-Television, Citadel Communications, Clear Channel and KLRU-PBS. He lives in New England where he develops, writes and produces new works for the stage.