Fall - 2011 Newsletter - LaGuardia Community College - CUNY

Behind the Scenes: The True Story of Service
UNSUNG HEROES
Thruology: I’ve Been Thru It
By: Felicia Eric Martinez Lucas
“THRUOLOGY” In reports of war is in a the word media, I made you up mostly to describe see the my point military of and conflict veteran where experience. our troops There are is battling
the of enemy. empathy But a non-service the effort and spouse, process civilian, it takes friend to or get family infantry member soldiers can provide. on the ground A bond in of any
no
amount
understanding war or conflict is takes formed enormous between those work of from us who all soldiers have taken in establishing a pledge of defense the many and levels freedom. of support
needed. is taken Before before the any US soldiers Flag of can our begin nation fighting, and the God they of must our spirits secure and the hearts. ground Each first service-
to create
That
pledge
person a point is of subject defense. to mental The initial and physical defense training. point is Each not a serviceperson large area, but gains from strength there the in character troops will and
integrity. establish It’s a central sad that point. with the This positive is critical changes to the a serviceperson entire mission. achieves many servicewomen suffer in
need of honor, loyalty and self-respect. Servicewomen are often treated and viewed as being in the
wrong
In order
place
to stake
among
out
the
a
world.
camp,
This
soldiers
view
first
is very
need
noticeable
to have the
in various
proper
treatments
equipment.
throughout
They have
our
to
lives
as servicewomen. The treatment received in the service as a veteran, in spousal relationships, from
have the correct number of soldiers to be able to build camp successfully. A perimeter is first
servicemen’s wives, and civilian females is an experience that also strengthens character and integrity.
established and protected with posts while the inner parts of the central point are built up. Soldiers
The service
then work
itself
to
is a
build
battle
communications,
of the will. The attempts
housing,
to
a
please
chow
oneself
hall, a
and
medical
please
point,
others
bunkers
at the same
for
time protection, can boggle a landing the mind. zone Finding for receiving balance supplies and identity and can staging be a cruel areas. battle Now for the a female intel can in the begin ser-tvice.
determine Servicewomen where the must fighting remain will feminine start. while showing strength, impenetrable skin, and independence.
In and out of the service, the goals and ambitions of servicewomen who show these traits are envied.
Moving They equipment often get belittled and soldiers by men from and the civilian United women. States Often to the our point feminine of conflict nature is a challenged long, complicated
accusation process that of lesbianism requires discipline or nymphomania. and sacrifice These from labels all upon the our troops. feminine Establishing nature have lines put of
through
the defense safety is of an many enormous servicewomen effort that in jeopardy. does not Many solely servicewomen consist of fighting have become but that victims also includes of rape, getting
the been grounds ostracized secured and are for harassed. stability. They It takes often many lose and to successfully must fight to conduct receive rights a war, and and privileges many
have
that work should behind the given scenes to all as servicepersons, unsung heroes. male and female.
Whether as a wife or servicewoman, women have always been involved in the service environment.
Male service member’s wives have been using their husband’s medical benefits for years. Yet the VA
does not have sufficient health care in place for women. The VA lacks understanding and empathy
towards the needs of servicewomen. The benefits for GYN, prenatal, dermatology and other group
treatments have been a small and sometime obsolete option. It is a regular practice at VA facilities to
disregard women and their safety needs. Often women who return from service with traumatic experiences
such as rape, harassment and other PTSD or depressive memories are hospitalized within shared
co-ed treatment facility settings. The presence of male service members, who obviously pose a threat
to them, is a hindrance to their recovery. Still a woman is expected to focus on her well-being and not
be hostile. This treatment over the years has caused servicewomen to marry and use their spouse’s
healthcare in other settings, to completely avoid treatment at VA facilities or to jump from one VA
facility to another in search of better treatment.
Society’s mentality towards women is that they should be behind their man or in the home. Women
are known to be supportive of our male servicemen. They cater to their homes and children. They support
and give patience with daily operations of military life or the Veterans Administration. The support
helps and gives male servicemen time to deal with VA politics for their benefits. Often the residual
remains of the service make both men and women suffer the effects of depression, PTSD and other