Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Physician, Pharmacologist and Toxicologist.
(MOLALLA, Ore.) - Margie Boulé authored an article in the September 9th edition of the Oregonian about the Patriot Guard and PTSD. She unknowingly pushed the button of PTSD and inadvertently touched the tip of the PTSD iceberg.
The Patriot Guard is a nationwide group of 110,000 “bikers” who ride, some in groups as large as 200 riders, as “Honor Guards” for their dead war comrades and heroes returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan. This is a noble tribute by many who have “been there, seen that, done that”. However, when many of them came home, a large portion from Viet Nam, they were spit on and reviled.
The only mission of a soldier, or Marine, in the service is to “kill or be killed”. If anyone thinks their mission is otherwise or that the rifleman has any control what-so-ever as to what happens to him or what he has to do to survive doesn’t know or understand anything about battle.
If he survives, even though many of his buddies are killed, living on could be worse than death. This is what PTSD is about. The rifleman is wound-up tighter than the tightest spring and is on hyper-vigilance 24 hours a day. At least, he’d better be. Nodding off for one second can be lethal.
This is a lot of miserable baggage for a battle veteran to carry home and is the basis for PTSD.
That flag draped coffin could be a buddy who saved his life, figuratively or literally. All dead veterans were our buddies.
Battle buddies are closer than brothers. Margie Boulé reports that a widow, "went down the line and hugged every one of us." Boulé was next to a big 6-foot-6 guy with an earring on, with tattoos down his neck.
"When she hugs him, he bends down, and you could tell this was out of character for him." The man was in tears. After the widow moved on, Boulé says she told the man 'There's quite a spirit at these things.' He slugged Boulé in the arm and said, 'Don't talk to me now.' Most of these “Honor Guards” wear dark glasses. No need to wonder why.
The new documentary of World War II by Ken Burns will cause many veterans to weep. We have every right to weep. We have earned that right by standing and fighting side-by-side with our fallen comrades.
This World War II documentary, more than “Saving Private Ryan”, “Band of Brothers” or any other movie or TV series, should bring home to all viewers the real “blood and guts” of combat. With this knowledge, the viewers should realize how much they owe to the combat veteran, whether they are alive or dead. They cannot be honored enough and it is our moral obligation to take care of their widows and children.
You can email your questions to the doctor: newsroom@salem-news.com
More information on the history of Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of Phil Leveque about his experiences in WWII. Order the book by mail by following this link: salem-news.com/pages/Dogface_soldier.
If you are a World War Two history fan, you don't want to miss it.
Watch for Dr. Phil Leveque's video question and answer segments about medical marijuana with Bonnie King.
Other articles and video segments about medical marijuana on Salem-News.com:Oregon Medical Marijuana Doctor Tells All: Q&A Part 6 (VIDEO)Medical Marijuana: Treatment for Marijuana DependenceMedical Marijuana Medical ConditionsMedical Marijuana Medical ConditionsConnecticut Governor Vetoes Medical Marijuana BillMedical Marijuana: PTSD Medical MalpracticeMarine Combat Vet Discusses Iraq, PTSD and Medical MarijuanaThe Most Dangerous Man in OregonMedical Marijuana: What it's AboutOregon Medical Marijuana Doctor Discusses PTSD Treatment (VIDEO)PTSD: Life-Long Challenge For Growing Number of VeteransMedical Marijuana: A California Success StoryOregon Medical Marijuana Doctor Tells All: Q&A Part 3 (VIDEO)Medical Marijuana: The Replacement for Very Dangerous DrugsOregon Toxicologist Says Treatment for PTSD Should Include CannabisMedical Marijuana Doctor Responds to Written Comments (VIDEO) (Originally titled Oregon Medical Marijuana Doctor Tells All: Q&A Part 3)Oregon Medical Marijuana Doctor Answers All (VIDEO)
Patriot Guards PTSD and Ken Burns: The WarSalem-News.com