Noteboom The Law Firm

Afghanistan Purple Heart Recipients Reluctant to Talk About Experience

On Thursday, February 16 at the Marine Corps. Memorial in Arlington, VA, 4 wounded U.S. Marines were awarded the Purple Heart after returning home from deployment in Afghanistan. Only 1 of the 4 veterans shared stories of their injuries and all reluctant to speak about their fallen Marines.

The difficulty in discussing their combat experience is an issue that many disabled veterans and service members face, which can often lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.

The ceremony, planned in part by Capt. Paul Trembaly, commander of Company B, 1^st Battalion, 6^th Marine Regiment, which included the 4 Purple Heart recipients, was mainly to honor the bravery of his wounded warriors, but also served as a therapeutic outlet for the rest of his company. He arranged for the remainder of Company B – about 170 Marines – to travel to the Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, MD.

Company B had suffered many casualties and injured soldiers during their tour in Afghanistan, resulting in 2 deaths and 16 wounded soldiers that had to be medevaced during the 7-month deployment. These wounded soldiers were undergoing treatment at Walter Reed when the rest of their company came to visit.

The meeting was therapeutic for both the wounded soldiers and their active counterparts. While many of the wounded may face life as disabled veterans, they’re receiving excellent treatment and care both from the VA hospital and from the support of their fellow Marines.

Between the Purple Heart ceremony and the Walter Reed visit, Trembaly hopes that these efforts will help his company open up more about their experiences and cope with their struggles of returning to life in the states. Mental conditions may become disabling over time without proper care and treatment, leaving many veterans seeking veterans’ disability benefits to obtain the care and counseling they need.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.