| Sleep my sons, your duty done...for freedom's light has | | | | mysterious ailments and mental disorders are some of |
| come. | | | | the issues that afflicted thousands of war veterans. |
| Sleep in the silent depths of the sea or in your bed of | | | | One significant problem that is common among war |
| hollowed sod. | | | | veterans is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). |
| Until you hear at dawn the low clear reveille of God. | | | | During World War I, PTSD was called "shell shock," |
| The poem is inscribed on the monument to the Pacific | | | | and on World War II, it was referred to as "combat |
| War Dead, in Corregidor, Philippines. The huge | | | | fatigue." After the Vietnam War, it was often |
| dome-shaped Pacific War Memorial in Corregidor | | | | mistakenly called the Post Vietnam Syndrome. Indeed, |
| resembles a vintage World War II parachute, from the | | | | the understanding and effective treatment of PTSD |
| parallel lines running down the dome's side to a hole | | | | were actually described in the psychiatric literature well |
| right at its center. The memorial shrine was funded by | | | | before the Vietnam War. A psychiatrist from Harvard |
| the Americans and it is positioned in such a way that | | | | Medical School, Dr. Eric Lindemann at Massachusetts |
| on May 6 of every year, the high noon sun that shines | | | | General Hospital in Boston, was the first to report on |
| directly through the hole falls right straight in the middle | | | | the systematic management of PTSD. He did this |
| of a round marble altar dedicated to fallen soldiers in | | | | work after the Coconut Grove fire and tragedy in the |
| the last war. | | | | 1940s. |
| Corregidor comes from the Spanish word "corregir," | | | | A significant number of soldiers suffer lingering distress |
| meaning to correct. One story states that due to the | | | | from the trauma they endured while overseas. And |
| Spanish system wherein all ships entering Manila Bay | | | | the trauma can stay with them for the rest of their |
| were required to stop and have their documents | | | | lives, preventing them from sleeping normally, facing |
| checked and corrected, the island was called "Isla del | | | | large crowds, focus or commit in a relationship, or even |
| Corregidor" (Island of the Correction). Another version | | | | looking at a simple garbage bag without worrying that |
| claims that the island was used a penitentiary or | | | | a bomb might be hidden inside. |
| correctional institution by the Spanish and came to be | | | | PTSD can be seen as an overwhelming of the body's |
| called "El Corregidor." | | | | normal psychological defenses against stress. Thus, |
| In early and pre-hispanic times, it was likely populated | | | | after the trauma, there is an abnormal function |
| by fishermen and no doubt provided a base for pirates | | | | (dysfunction) of the normal defense systems, which |
| who could easily launch an attack against any vessel | | | | results in certain symptoms. The symptoms are |
| entering Manila Bay. During the Spanish era, this | | | | produced in three different ways: (1) re-experiencing |
| tadpole-shaped island was a signal station where | | | | the trauma, (2) persistent avoidance and (3) increased |
| bonfires were lit to alert Manila of a homecoming | | | | arousal. |
| galleons. Later on, Spaniards built a lighthouse on the | | | | Fortunately today, unlike 50 years ago, support is |
| island. | | | | available for military personnel experiencing PTSD. |
| The big guns of Corregidor in 1941 were used in | | | | Acting on lessons learned from World War II and other |
| support of Filipino and American defenders of Bataan | | | | conflicts, the military and other government agencies |
| until the island itself was invaded by Japanese Forces. | | | | of countries such as the United States have focused |
| The restless pounding by Japanese guns including | | | | on early intervention of PTSD among active-duty |
| intermittent bombings reduced its defenses and | | | | soldiers. They offer counseling to prepare service |
| compelled its surrender. On January 22, 1945, | | | | members for overseas duty and send teams of |
| Corregidor was once again caught in the fury of war | | | | chaplains and other mental health personnel into the |
| as the Americans retook the island after a bloody | | | | field. |
| battle. | | | | It is indeed comforting to know that the various |
| After more than 50 years, Filipinos, as well as | | | | methods of treatment for PTSD are highly effective. |
| American war veterans, still remember their history by | | | | Moreover, there are trained clinicians experienced at |
| heart about the fall of Corregidor to the Japanese. | | | | handling the difficult problems of posttraumatic stress. |
| However, not only did the Fall of Corregidor left a | | | | But, of course, we hope that we will never have to |
| mark on the war veterans, wars also left them many | | | | experience a repeat of the appalling tragedy of |
| serious problems and illnesses. Memory problems, | | | | non-sense fightings such as what transpired at the Fall |
| chronic fatigue, depression, stress and other | | | | of Corregidor. |