Stilled Voices & Winter Soldiers

It was a big story--for a little while, anyway.

The 1451st NC National Guard Unit went to Iraq, bravely carried out their mission, and then came home to a joyous celebration. But after the lights dimmed, the reporters left, and the picture taking stopped, the High Country media seemed to forget all about the 1451st, except for the occasional mention.

Many people in the High Country are concerned about the members of the 1451st. Stories like this make people even more concerned:

Brandon Wallace's younger sisters knew it was hands off when it came to his guitars.

Now there is one guitar Rachel Wallace Tucker longs to hold. It's the black Fender her brother bought while stationed in Iraq with the Army's 1451st Transportation Company.

He played it for his fellow soldiers when they needed comfort. And one of her brother's Army buddies, Sgt. Jacob Blaylock, played it at her brother's memorial service last April in Iraq.

That month, Wallace, 27, switched places with Blaylock, 26, in their military convoy. It was their last mission, and Blaylock wanted a break from riding at the front. When an improvised explosive device hit the humvee, Wallace and another soldier were killed.
...
When their unit returned from Iraq last April, Blaylock and several other soldiers vowed to visit the families of comrades who didn't come home before joining their own families.
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"He told me, 'I've got one more mission, Mom,'" Jackie Blaylock said. "And that was to meet the Wallaces."

Brandon Wallace's parents remember Blaylock's visit. "He wouldn't look at me," Rick Wallace said.

As the soldiers were about to leave, Rick Wallace said he placed his hand over Blaylock's heart and said, —"'You know something, I've got a problem with you and this guilt you are carrying.'"

Rick Wallace added, "It was like the whole unit needed to hear that. They needed to know the father of the boy he traded spaces with was OK with it."
...
But Blaylock wasn't OK.

He tried to rewrite the story, telling friends and family that it was Brandon Wallace who asked to switch places with him the night he died. But he told his girlfriend, Heidi Plumley, "It should have been me."

In September, Jacob was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. But rather than turn to treatment, Jacob Blaylock ended the guilt the only way he believed he could: He shot himself.

At his funeral, Blaylock's family learned what really happened the night Brandon Wallace was killed. It helped them understand. "I think he felt embarrassed and guilty," Rick Blaylock said.

A note Rick Blaylock found in his son's truck said: "I have worn this fake smile for too long now. It's too heavy. I can't hold it in anymore. I need peace. I have too much pride to go see someone for narcotics to help this."

The Veterans Health Administration estimates as many as 5,000 veterans a year commit suicide...

It is probably safe to assume that other members of the 1451st may be carrying a terrible burden--and that they need help. Maybe that help could come from a medical doctor, a physical therapist, a friend, through family counseling, or from a psychiatrist.

But at least one stone needs to be turned over by the local media--it's time to find out if the local veterans of the 1451st getting the health care that they are entitled to. Imagine what would happen if the local media spent as much time on this topic as they spend covering fender benders.

Link to full article here.

P.S. You can stream the Winter Soldier event from Free Speech TV's website:

From March 13-16th, U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan will testify to what is really happening day in and day out, on the ground in these occupations. To provide a preview, we've created this short film. The film features three members who will be testifying at Winter Soldier and includes videos and photographs of Iraq from their deployments. This video contains graphic content. We need your support to help make Winter Soldier a success. Find more about Winter Soldier.

Free Speech TV (Dish 9415): Live TV Broadcast Schedule for Winter Soldier.

Live streaming video is now available from the Iraq Veterans Against the War: March 14 and 15, 9:00AM – 9:00PM EST.