http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqyf2dmbeOg
The idea of “moral injury” is now being studied and researched by the VA and in academia. Edward Tick, PhD also describes how the “soul leaves the body” in his captivating book, War and the Soul. Over 2,000,000 veterans since 2001 have served in combat and many suffer from seeing and doing things that are not consistent with the human and cultural life experience. We are not congratulated and honored for killing people! Treatments for PTSD are now taking a different and more complete path of addressing the soul. The moral injury is caused by an individual going out of bounds by committing the immoral act of killing or injuring another human being. The Truth Commission on Conscience of War, a non-profit group in New York is working specifically on the implications war and the soul. https://www.facebook.com/#!/Conscience.In.War
My book, Reconciliation: A Son’s Story, was published this last November 2011. Research of my own family circumstance along with many other references and resources continued to show the moral conflict of war and combat experience. The inter generational implications on family members are astounding and create a legacy of war that takes shape like bad genes if the cycle of pain is not broken. My non-fiction book was a great beginning for my family to start the healing process after a 70 year struggle with the effects of PTSD. Gaining awareness and understanding of the subject was a huge benefit to all of us. During the 70 year period since the beginning of WWII, and our Dad, Vernon’s extended combat experience, none of us understood the toxic home culture that was hell for so long. We blamed it on everything and each other, and only now do we see the bigger picture. I wish my father was still alive, so we could have a long talk. Dad avoided talking about the subject for the most part because of his pain. He also knew that we couldn’t possibly understand, and he was right. My goal is to continue the research; and use my book and blog as a platform to make a difference in helping others heal.
Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story
