Veterans

 With the five year anniversary of the Iraq war just passing and over four thousand US soldiers killed, one Vermont soldier is speaking out about the what its like to be in the Army National Guard.

For lifelong Vermonter Isaac March, joining the Army National Guard was a choice that would change him in many ways.

((Isaac Marsh:” For me joining the guards was the only way I could possibly jump start my life. I grew up in a very poor family who didn’t have much and I wanted to go to college. Getting an education was the important key to getting a job so I could help get my family on the ground.))

After joining the guards in 2003, Marsh was later deployed to Iraq in 2004 and spent a year and three month there. Stationed in Kuwait, he also spent time in Baghdad and northern Iraq spending most of his time in a tank as a fire directions specialist. He assisted in interrogations and worked with the CIA. Many tasks that Marsh took part in were tough, but one was extremely tough as two members in Marsh’s division lost their lives.

((Isaac Marsh: “we just got done for the day and all of a sudden mortars just started dropping. We jumped in a bunker and I didn’t have a vest on or a helmet or anything. We were just sitting and they were dropping in 30 40 mortars in ten minutes… bomb bomb louder louder like shrapnel’s going off the bunker sand flying all over the place we were sitting there wondering when the next is going to drop on my head.))

After this incident, Marsh has faced difficult times still today. Many things still bother him.

((Isaac Marsh: ”loud noises if I’m not paying attention I tell everyone at work because we have balloons and stuff just don’t pop balloons because you never know when someone might just try to scare ya with a loud noise behind your back. I tell them just don’t because I don’t know it scares the hell out of me and sends me into anxiety mode… and I just need to get out of this place for a walk. I just don’t know how to explain it.))

For Marsh, who is no longer a part of the National Guard and does not currently use military benefits, finds that follow up on soldiers is not adequate enough when they come home from Iraq. There are many psychological issues that haunt many veterans and some veterans may feel as thou their problem is not as important as someone else’s. This is where one organization jumps in to try and help Vermont veterans in need. Vermont Vet to Vet is a non-profit organization that reaches out to veterans who are in need and they try to provide them with the adequate services. For more information on veterans services provided by Vermont Vet to Vet visit their website atwww.vtvettovet.org .

 The government also offers a site that may help veterans in finding their proper benefits. That site is http://www1.va.gov/health/index.asp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This website takes you to the state website for veterans affairs. It provides veterans with information about where to go when looking into the benefits.

 http://www.va.state.vt.us/