The war in Iraq is different from other wars while being so much the same. Thousands of American soldiers wounded in combat, who might have died in Vietnam or World War II, now survive in Iraq because of advanced medical technology. However, for the over 9,000 injured and their families this holiday homecoming offers mixed blessings. While grateful to be alive, many face a lifetime of limitation and pain from their physical, emotional and mental scars. And, for the thousands of National Guard and reservists who are not afforded the same full-disability medical coverage offered to active-duty enlisted men and women, life will be even tougher. While we welcome them home with gratitude and help them reintegrate into our communities, we must understand their needs before we can serve them well:

• As of November, 9,566 soldiers have been injured in Iraq - 9,000 injured after President Bush declared the end of major combat operations in May 2003 - Over 6,000 of the wounded are males under the age of 30.
  
  
• Although at least as many US troops have been injured in Iraq as in the first 5 years of Vietnam, 90% survive their injuries, compared to 76% in Vietnam; creating the largest influx of wounded veterans into the VA system since that war.
  
  
• The rise in psychological trauma in Iraq compared to the Gulf War is due to the Iraq combat environment including both guerrilla and conventional warfare much like Vietnam.
  
  
• At least one in six soldiers returning from Iraq suffers the effects of post traumatic stress - more than 30% of all Vietnam veterans were eventually diagnosed with that disorder.
  
  
• According to the Pentagon, 31 US soldiers have committed suicide in Iraq - sparking a record number of mental health professionals to be deployed near front lines.
  
  
• The average amount disability paid to veterans yearly by Veterans Affairs varies by state, ranging from $11, 000 (Puerto Rico) to $6,000 Ohio.
  
  
• The Veterans Administration estimates that more than 299,321 veterans are homeless on any given night; and, more than half a million experience homelessness over the course of a year.

What kinds of injuries are veteran treatment centers seeing? What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and what are the symptoms? What services are available to those wounded in action? What groups are available to help guide soldiers to those services? Can we assure wounded men and women treatment for the injuries they received in service of our country? Can we prevent veterans from becoming homeless? What can we do?