And War Vets Still Suffer After All

Sleep my sons, your duty done...for freedom's light hasmysterious 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 ofOne 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 Pacificand on World War II, it was referred to as "combat
War Dead, in Corregidor, Philippines. The hugefatigue." After the Vietnam War, it was often
dome-shaped Pacific War Memorial in Corregidormistakenly called the Post Vietnam Syndrome. Indeed,
resembles a vintage World War II parachute, from thethe understanding and effective treatment of PTSD
parallel lines running down the dome's side to a holewere actually described in the psychiatric literature well
right at its center. The memorial shrine was funded bybefore the Vietnam War. A psychiatrist from Harvard
the Americans and it is positioned in such a way thatMedical School, Dr. Eric Lindemann at Massachusetts
on May 6 of every year, the high noon sun that shinesGeneral Hospital in Boston, was the first to report on
directly through the hole falls right straight in the middlethe systematic management of PTSD. He did this
of a round marble altar dedicated to fallen soldiers inwork 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 thefrom the trauma they endured while overseas. And
Spanish system wherein all ships entering Manila Baythe trauma can stay with them for the rest of their
were required to stop and have their documentslives, preventing them from sleeping normally, facing
checked and corrected, the island was called "Isla dellarge crowds, focus or commit in a relationship, or even
Corregidor" (Island of the Correction). Another versionlooking at a simple garbage bag without worrying that
claims that the island was used a penitentiary ora bomb might be hidden inside.
correctional institution by the Spanish and came to bePTSD 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 populatedafter 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 vesselresults in certain symptoms. The symptoms are
entering Manila Bay. During the Spanish era, thisproduced in three different ways: (1) re-experiencing
tadpole-shaped island was a signal station wherethe trauma, (2) persistent avoidance and (3) increased
bonfires were lit to alert Manila of a homecomingarousal.
galleons. Later on, Spaniards built a lighthouse on theFortunately today, unlike 50 years ago, support is
island.available for military personnel experiencing PTSD.
The big guns of Corregidor in 1941 were used inActing on lessons learned from World War II and other
support of Filipino and American defenders of Bataanconflicts, 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 includingon early intervention of PTSD among active-duty
intermittent bombings reduced its defenses andsoldiers. 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 warchaplains and other mental health personnel into the
as the Americans retook the island after a bloodyfield.
battle.It is indeed comforting to know that the various
After more than 50 years, Filipinos, as well asmethods of treatment for PTSD are highly effective.
American war veterans, still remember their history byMoreover, 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 aBut, of course, we hope that we will never have to
mark on the war veterans, wars also left them manyexperience 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 otherof Corregidor.