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Sheila Eldred's avatar

I really dislike the fact that there even has to be wars and all the horrors that goes with it and after it and how some are treated like they don't exist. We're all human and should be treated with kindness and respect. Another good read Jack, but somewhat sad.

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phyllis palmer's avatar

Another heartbreaking story that we all need to hear, thank you Jack.

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Michael Geiger's avatar

Sobering, but not surprising. It's so sad to learn that thousands of PTSD Vets will not be getting the care they need going forward.

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Jack Kelly's avatar

I agree. The statistics about suicide among veterans are shocking. Every year for the past 22 years, more than 6,000 have died, more than 140,000 since 2001. It's the second leading cause of death for veterans under 45.

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Michael Geiger's avatar

Truly, Jack, it is tragic and inexcusable, even before the current administration.

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Michael Cass's avatar

Very moving Jack, we owe so much to men like Ira Hayes.

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Mary M's avatar

Thanks, Jack. This story is heartbreaking in too many ways.

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james a. steinberg, new yorker's avatar

Not only did you shine a light on an important part of American history, but you told the story in a very moving way. Thank you, Jack.

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Jack Kelly's avatar

Further alarming information on this subject from the New York Times:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/05/technology/trump-history-websites.html

Thousands of other government web pages had also been taken down or modified, including content about vaccines, hate crimes, low-income children, opioid addiction and veterans, . . . Even Utah’s Republican lieutenant governor called on Mr. Trump to “bring back our history” after the first American woman to legally vote was removed from the website for Arlington National Cemetery, along with a section on other notable women.

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Jack Kelly's avatar

You may remember Johnny Cash's song, 1964, The Ballad of Ira Hayes. Meant to express sympathy for him, but still put the main emphasis on his sad demise:

Call him drunken Ira Hayes

He won't answer anymore

Not the whiskey drinking Indian

Or the marine that went to war.

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