That is terrible. I don't support the Iraq war at all but I think soldiers in general do need to be treated with a lot more respect than what they are given now!!

rach, reading, uk

I led a convoy security and quick reaction force team on over 250 missions. Most of us feel no guilt but we all suffer a bit. Many of us are bored to death once we get home. Life is really slow and seems devoid of purpose. Added to this is the ENDLESS leftist, media crap about the war being unjust, criminal, or lost and we all reach the point where we begin to wonder why we even bothered to fight. Finally, if war guilt were the leading cause of military suicides then RAF and USSAF vets who burned down German cities would have incredibly high suicide rates. It MUST be difficult to burn down tens of thousands of women in children who are, in almost every respect, just like you. Compared to what we are killing in Iraq (animals who kill anybody not Muslim enough, and film the act to joyful cries of Allah Ackbar) I say we have far less baggage. Of course we also have far less support from our ignorant, arrogant and self centered countrymen than did our World War II brothers.

Jack, Culpeper , Virginia

Duncan Macluglash, Melbourne, Australia

You have miscalculated. 29,000 American's committed suicide in 1998, when the population of the US was about 270 million. It was the eighth leading cause of death. Yes, Japan's rate is higher, but most American religions abhor suicide. In Japan is suicide considered an honorable way to end life? I believe to a degree this is true.

Joseph Kavanaugh, Rockville, MD

Truly disgusting. Our nation's people of today care not. Let them die says the left, they're not real soldiers, says the right, let them spend eternity in the fires of hell and that's too good for them, say both. What a true indictment of a morally bankrupt and decrepit people who care more about American Idol and Deal or No Deal as well as a leadership which deserves the fate it deliberately wishes on its troops.

Tren Bladk, Latrine, CA,

Along with many of you I am heartbroken and enraged about the servicepeople and their families. It's my experience t hat a family is never the same following a suicide by one of their members. I honestly cannot imagine how either Bush or Cheney can sleep. My prayers go out to all of the families and friends of the veteran victims.

Helen Koci, Oakland. CA

helenkoci, Oakland, CA

Does anyone today believe that the MUSLIM terrorists are war criminals?

Spen Baldik, Scotrun, PA,

I believe that war criminals do deserve what begets them. Anyone going to Iraq, in order to kill for oil, gets his share of suffering.

Mohammed Hegazi, Melbourne, Australia

George Bush and Tony Blair should be proud of soldiers like this who suffer before, during, and after the war. I guess they wouldn't realize understand completely since neither one of them ever fought a war.

No Weapons of Mass Destruction but Bush/Blair sure damaged a lot of people all over the World for what? Oil, Religon, and Ego?

Will, seattle, us/washington

From my own experience in Vietnam contemplating suicide and having a brother who committed suicide I say killing oneself comes from learning about…. And…. not accepting reality! I went to Vietnam believing I was fighting to save America from communism. That turned out to be false. I believe my brother committed suicide because he thought he had impregnated a woman outside the “sacred” marriage and couldn’t tell his mother the truth. (That Catholism has a strong illusion!) Most probably these returning veterans from Iraq believe that they were fighting terrorism but upon returning may have found some time to find out the truth about 911 and could not face the reality that our government lied to them. Let’s help them where we can.

I conclude with…Everyone…tell the truth …as best you could.

David Snieckus, Newton, MA

Its a sorry world that treats its defenders of freedom so poorly. Its makes me wince when I see the the conditions some soldiers family houses are in, and it makes me weep when I see how badly the wounded are treated.
So I can understand that with the lack of understanding from an uninformed and led astray public how veterens are driven to suicide.
OK, I know I can only refer to what I see in the UK, but I am sure the same symptoms are in the US too.
Lets start treating the vets with the dignity, respect and thanks they deserve.

Pete, St Albans, England

Has anyone ever organized a support system to help American soldiers adjust back to the civilian culture? What Americans with exception to U.S. government programs have made efforts to comfort those who come home and need help with paying bills, counceling, job training, etc...? If anyone has any resources or websites I can read about efforts already made please contact me. I am interested in helping.

Brad

Brad Cashman, Charleston, SC

Well said, Albert in Sweeden. The left have demonised these brave soldiers. When will they learn they are responisble for not only some of these deaths but for many deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan because of their constant trashing of the US and the Bush Administration thereby giving moral support to the terrorists. The media must take their share of the blame also, their coverage has been nothing short of a disgraceful witchunt against the troops. I notice now things are improving in Iraq and the surge is working the media is very quiet!

Viv, London, England

Let's be a little fair here. I don't really see the so called lefties ,that you and I disagree with mostly, as bashing and trashing American service men. I've talked to some of those lefties and it's not so much about that as it is about bringing them home from an unjust war. The soldiers are are just doing as they are told, and it is probably torture for them to be there. I support them , I say bring them home.

martha, Cowtown,

Well said, Albert in Sweeden. The left have demonised these brave soldiers. When will they learn they are responisble for not only some of these deaths but for many deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan because of their constant trashing of the US and the Bush Administration thereby giving moral support to the terrorists. The media must take their share of the blame also, their coverage has been nothing short of a disgraceful witchunt against the troops. I notice now things are improving in Iraq and the surge is working the media is very quiet!

Viv, London, England

When will they ever learn, I am a Vietnam Veteran who was conscripted by the Australian Government to serve in Vietnam in 1967/68 as a 20 year old. At least we ensure that our diggers who serve in Iraq and Afganastan are not left to hang out to dry like we were. No thanks to governments of the day. Peace brothers and sisters.

Dan Connolly, Keppel Sands, Queensland. Australia

Muhammed Shafiq - 'two hundred years ago we were fighting with arrows,' - really? Our people weren't. Can't speak for everywhere of course, but we had firearms. Maybe that's how some of our ancestors were colonial powers and others were colonial subjects.

Tony Fox, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

When "leftists" are bashed when we are discussing suicide rates of good people, I wonder where the soul is in those that don't want this insanity to stop. If you are talking about "guilt" as being a cause for some veterans suicides.......I'd worry more about those not haunted by this "guilt". Those not feeling it have had to become the animated super heroes in their computer games., unfeeling as that is what is taught....How deeply sad and both veterans need to be acknowledged.

Joyville, Cleveland, Ohio

As a Marine vet, I have gone through at least 3 friends who have committed suicide while I was in alone, and I cannot tell you how many times I myself have contemplated it myself! Too many times the "outside" world does not understand the things we have seen, done, or gone through and we do not have anyone who can relate with. Then there are those who seek self-medication and that begins a whole slew of other problems, legal, familial and medical, and then society blames the serviceman. I think it is a shame that a country that ENJOYS its freedom and capitalistic lifestyle is TOO afraid to pay the men and women who fight for it, the little they need to have a decent life.

Some health care, mental well being care, support that will make having a quality life possible. otherwise, make it a mandatory requirement for all men and women to serve, pick up a rifle and look downrange at the enemy, shoot them, then come home and NOT have some nightmares!

Jose Rivera, Chicago, IL

They killed themselves because their soul has been taken from them long ago as they went through the brainwashing process. The indiscriminate killing of innocent women and children will result in either a cold calculated psychopathic robot, primed and ready for the future of law enforcement, OR a disillusioned kid who will never understand why he had to slaughter the same families he was sent over there to liberate in the first place. Keep your kids out of the service and maybe we won't have to "support our troops" with spare change and dumpster food.

Wake Up Torez, New York, New York

It is sad brave men & women end up in this dreadful situation, they risked all when their country asked them to do so (regardless of the rights and wrongs of the reasons behind the war).

How have the terrorists fared? I loathe the terrorists but do they suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome? If not why not and are there any lessons for us to learn?
I appreciate that a study regarding the mental health of terrorists post conflict has probably not taken place, maybe we should look into their mindset if they do not suffer or suffer fewer PTS cases?

Ranvir Singh, London, UK

Veterans, overseas or not, if suffering from any kind of condition need to have advocates doing the paperwork and jumping through the hoops for them so they can get the help they need. Not every veteran is fortunate to have family, a spouse, or a partner to help them through the processes required to receive the care and benefits they need in order to function after serving or while continuing to serve. It is also not right for mentally or physically ill soldiers to be thrown back into the fire. We are still at war and no one wants to enlist. What about that draft?

Nova, Colorado Springs, CO

This is not a trick by the left or the right - this is the truth, and nothing less then a national disgrace. This is post Vietnam all over again. For all of their "support the troops" talk, Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfield, along with the rest of the GOP, have broken and failed to keep any promises to the U.S. military, and their required health care needs. It's painfully obvious that when business oriented Republicans, who are in the pockets of the BIG corporations, see the cost of health care costs that are associated with post Iraq tours of duty (some times for the 3rd or 4th time), they want to pretend it's not there. The effects of this useless, illegal, unprovoked war will be with the U.S. and all of it's citizens for all time! We will never be forgiven for our arrogance, our stupidity, our corruption, and for all the lives that were killed, wounded, or damaged (including Iraqi people) by Bush and Cheney's blood for oil war. Keep this in mind during the 2008 election!

Steve, Madison, WI

Society needs to take up this responsibility because the state consistently fails to whether today or historically. Unfortunately our respective governments are more venal than previous because they are pretending that we are not fighting a war.

simon, London,

This is not unusual...in EVERY WAR...not just this one, there is always an upsurge of suicides. The only reason this is news now is because GW Bush is in charge and the left wing press does everything they can to try to embarrass him and undermine this war.

Travers, Dallas, Texas, USA

I still cannot understand how a solder that survived through all of that, can just kill self? I'd expect that experience to make them more resilient...

Andre, Eindhoven, Netherlands

Practically all of the suicides in the military are caused by the mistreatment of their own people.

Jack Fernando, Austin, Texas

How to get Good Soldiers to be Oil Thugs. if GWB would have told the true reason for going to Iraq in the first place, then he would have only had the 30% support he has now. These soldiers were lied to by their commander and cheif, in order to gain acceptance of his illegal policy, to steal oil. Even perpetuating the lies into his reelection, when the news was reporting the realities, with the exception of foxnews. These lies all fed into the mindset of these individuals who were out to do good, by going to iraq to defend their country or just help the Iraqi people. Although , it is noted that some are just bad people wanting to carry guns and shoot people. we all know the type. However, as these lies erroded away the only thing left was the fact that these individuals, most with good intentions, had created devastation, and perpetrated crimes against god and humanity.

Gerard, Valdosta,

I agree with Philip,compassion and reason is the way out and should be the way in so that the mess does not occur in the fist place.
Robert.

Robert Barnatt, Northampton, United kingdom

I work in Headquarters Troop. The other day at the range, which is right next to the wire, we we're conducting training exercises. A Bradley And tank convoy was rolling out. I saw nearly every guy on our line troop we had out there jump when the first vehicle test fired their crew served weapons. Another time I was in the MWR somebody slammed the door and I caught a number of people nearly hit the floor. We've already had a hand full of guys loose their minds and request to go home. Everyone calls them cowards. This place is cursed.

P, Baquoba, CA

Even though it isn't their fault that their governments lied /fantasised them into Iraq and Afghanistan (and may soon lie them into Iran as well), the soldiers are now not even supported afterwards when they come back physically and/or psychologically shattered.

We in the West have no right to "sort out" other people by force, especially not when we have transparent ulterior motives (oil/gas/pipelines) and have not been invited, on the contrary. Also, what about the traumatised/maimed/dead civilians on the other side? They're our responsibility as well.

Julia Iskandar, London, England

Very sad news. Always difficult when our troops are sent to foreign lands to fight for a cause that the majority of people back home do not seem to agree with. However they are doing their duty as dictated by our governments.

We elect our governments, so we should as individuals also accept moral responsibility for our returning troops injured or not.

My suggestion is that those of us in society that are in management or ownership of companies should ensure that we make every effort to employ ex servicemen with sensitivity making sure we give support for them settling in to civilian life

Philip, Anglesey, Wales

I’m so sick and tired of all these peaceniks’ and leftist people who wishfully think that Afghanistan and Iraq is a new Vietnam. If the soldiers kill them self out of guilt it is because the left planted it there, and if thats the case I hold you responsible for their death’s.

An American in Sweden

Albert , Vaxjo, Sweden

As a Marine Vietnam combat veteran we too were bombarded by the left as having huge suicide rates as well as huge crime and homeless rates. It turned out to be untrue. I hope that this too proves to be another anti-war tactic by the left. Following 18 months of combat in Vietnam, when I returned to America I realized that the greatest lack of concern in America were tso many of the American people who seemed to care less, leftist politicians and a leftist media who sold us (and the Vietnamese, Cambodian and Laotian) out. Now for all to support our troops in combat as well as those returning home! They deserve it!

Harry Hayes, Geneva, Switzerland

To Michael Boh in Cal USA.
For god's sake help end this madness.
The essential thing is to get the crazies and the gangsters out of power. This is your last chance, seize it and put your money where your-and America's future is before the Ziogangsters start another war on Iran, Syria, Lebanon, China, Russia..
They will do, unless you act decisively now and get involved.
Brits for Ron Paul
www.RonPaul2008.com

John Bayldon, Harrogate, north Yorks

I think it is a shame that a man that served in okiniwa during vietnam era looking at fingers and hands from there enemies rebuilding generators has to try to prove to the V.A. that he has PTSD,he is getting VA compinsation but now that i am disabled it is so hard to make it on less than $2500.00 a month and we are not getting no where near that,my husband has already had a nervous breakdown and yes he is receiving medical treatment and his meds.at no cost but that doesn't help much with the other obligation and we can't afford my medical care with all the ailments and meds that i need to live as well as my veteran husband. I don't understand why a spouse of any disabled veteran can't get any help with these things to.So i wish someone could explain this to me,and also I can't get any SSI because we get to much money from the VA so that leaves me out in the cold with nothing,but with gods help we have survived all of this,but i still would like an explaination of all this.

brenda, bloomingdale, georgia

I agree with Colin Cumner - I am truly appalled by
this news too! God help this country!

Susan, Springfield, USA

If an average of 17 suicides a day is an epidemic, what's to be made of the Japanese suicide rate which claims more than 90 lives each day. That's about 32,000 suicides every year. There's the unpleasant stench of schadenfreude about many of the comments here, as there is from the original story.

Duncan Macluglash, Melbourne, Australia

I wonder if joining the army was a long way around of trying to commit suicide for some of them? Maybe Bush should spend more time over there, I'd like to see him as a regular in the soup queues when he came back home, instead of being at the top of the globe's food chain.

Colin denRonden, Brisbane, Australia

This story is a typical example of lying with statistics. The rate among veterans is compared to the overall suicide rate, not the *male* suicide rate. For each woman in the US to kill herself, 3.7 men will do the same.

http://ct.gov/dmhas/lib/dmhas/prevention/cyspi/AAS2004data.pdf

Most veterans are men, so the fact that veterans are twice as likely to kill themselves as the average American probably indicates that veterans are *less* likely to kill themselves than a random selection of Americans with the same gender ratio. But that wouldn't be a story, would it?

Bruce Gottfred, Chelsea, Quebec

Not suprising that they feel guilt, stamping out the life of a foreign nation for the greed of their masters will do that.

JonB, Glasgow, UK

we need a revolution! we must stop the new world order agenda, and the military industrial complex. both parties in washington are bought and paid for; as well as other governments around the world.........the us has become a fascist regime. we, the people, need to fight and take back our nation. there is a grassroots effort now in place. stand up for your rights~don't let the government take them away......
our brothers and sisters fighting in this "war"/ invasion are being misled, treated badly upon return home; and most cannot face returning to "society" as it is. i am a mother of 3 boys and fear for them in the near future.... i retain hope that good will eventually triump over evil... a. mcgillicuddy, phoenicia, ny

ann c mcgillicuddy, phoenicia, usa, ny

I bet, not a single one of them soldiers were children of people in power (whitehouse). They only sacrifice other unfortunate peoples lives.

stanzler, ny, usa

This was an inevitability from the start. The problems of fighting against a 'population' have been outlined many times.

A simple experiment: caged rats are electrocuted at random intervals, some are warned with a light, others are not. The rats that don't know when the shock is coming soon develop ulcers from the constant stress of not knowing.

And so it is in the Iraq/Afghanistan/Vietnam scenario. Soldiers don't know who is friend and who is foe and so the stress becomes intolerable.

No commander in chief who has the interests of his soldiers at heart would send them into such an unnatural conflict situation.

Eugene, Chester, England

The totalitarian US military/industrial/media axis of darkness is a nation unto itself. It does what it wants and compels the country to follow its needs.i.e eternal war and the export of living hell to whomsoever they feel deserving of it.

Mike Martin, Cambridge, UK

This is a terribly sad story. Whatever our position on the war we must show more respect and concern for the men and women who have to face the possibility of serious injury and death on a daily basis.

I would like to see this addressed further in PMQs. They may pay their condolences but the Government should be doing something constructive and practical to help our soldiers before lives are lost.

B Blake, Leeds, UK

War has always been vicious and horrible. The notion of trauma from war is not new. The fact is we have tried to hide it under the carpet for years.

The media have made wars more real to people living at home who would have no true idea of just how horrible it was. The US has not had a war waged on it's own territory since the civil war and so it was hard for the average person to relate to vets returing home. But since Vietnam, the media have brought it closer to home.

So what is new, is that with this new found understanding of war, one would think that politicians and the general public would be more reticent to send their young men into battle. But it seems it is still very addictive, when you have the power, to 'rattle the sabres' and send more young men off to their deaths and the rest to suffer from what they see and experience.

It is disturbing that today we still cannot be as understanding when they do return home.

Hopefully these stats give people pause.

Paul, Toronto, Canada

War has to end, its an evil concept that is not necessary. This is news is disgusting and horrible and this criminal war must stop NOW!

John, Hamilton, Canada

For those comparing these figures to the general population suicide rate and saying it is just politicking, neglect the focus on that one year. It is of particular worry that in a single year that many veterans should commit suicide. The appalling conditions that are being reported by the soldiers themselves both in Iraq and the poor treatment on their return give credence to the criticism. Here in the UK our most senior soldiers have criticised the equipment, housing and general support given to soldiers.

Instead of dismissing this concern as anti-americanism or (bizarrely) liberalism, which is unhelpful defensive rationalising, let's take an honest look at how we support those who put their lives on the line for us all.

Chris, London, UK

These figures are shocking. I'd really like to see a qualitative study conducted in this area to address the individual factors that led up to the suicides and homelessness. How is society failing these veterans and how have their experiences as soldiers changed them, and changed their view of humanity and themselves? The comment one father made in the story about his son's eyes appearing dead is an interesting observation. When the pictures of the 9/11 terrorists appeared on TV in 2001/02, that was the thing that struck me the most. All of them had eyes that appeared dead too.

Terah Looman, Saskatchewan, Canada

This unfortunately is not new. I don't know how other countries handle the return of combat veterans, but the US is notorious for just forgetting about its veterans until it is brought to the attention of the public.
It shows just how little regard our governmental bureaucrats have for one of our most precious resources....our soldiers.

What's worse about this current war, is that soldiers are viewed by this administration as a commodity....something to be used and then discarded after the objective has been met.
Notice that most of the bureaucrats have no family members in the military.

m.J., Iowa, U.S.A.

How many lies have the main stream media told us all previously ....................too many to count! Especially about the war. And yet some of you eagerly "eat up" every morsel of untruth.

Their data is estimates, extrapulation and mis-representations all filtered thru the prism of liberalism and anti-americanism.

Hotspur, ATL, USA

Maybe Iraq and Vietnam vet's issue is the lack of support they get from the media and a large portion of the population who would rather see them as baby killing psychos than young men who did their country's duty.

WWII vets (who also had more than enough to deal with) didn't have to come home to hostile civilians who don't know jack about what they went through.

When you come home and your countrymen are blasting what you tried to do as a waste an evil bushitlerburton plot to thieve Iraq's oil, it must be a smack in the face.

A little support wouldn't hurt these people.

Jason, London, Canada

Anyone who thinks George Bush has any power to change any of this hasn't been paying attention.
Cheney is to "go to guy" and power broker. If it's broken you can blame him.
http://www.alternet.org/stories/67663/

Donnee , San Francisco, US

Truly appalling. Real people, with real lives. Given that the majority are probably from an economic "underclass", their lives are deemed to be less important. Just like those of the Iraqi victims.

Peter Koeb, Geneva, Switzerland

How does the rate of suicide for US veterans compare with the rate of suicide for other groups of the same age? Is this scientific information or political spin?

Wallace Edward Brand, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

I wonder what the same survey in the UK would show.? As it stands, is this statistic, awful as it is, telling us something about modern soldiers, modern combat or "just" something about modern America?

mark, houston, texas

The nightmare seems to get worse every day. Veteran suicides, economic suicide, military suicide all point to the decline of a great nation run by thugs. The horrors of the Bush Administration seem to come in daily waves. As an American I'm extremely worried about my nation, which is suffering at the hands of a frightened, selfish and corrupt few. I feel like I live in Germany during the 1930s. They ignore so many important issues. Sadly most Americans do not hear the real news. They hear coporate propoganda these days. The daily horrors never seem to effect them. We have helped many over the decades, so I hope others can help us now. Please do whatever you can to apply external pressure. Many of us are worried they're going to go further. They might even create a crisis and steal our freedom from us - first the press, then our freedoms. We need your help now. Michael in CA

Michael Boh, Beverly Hills, CA

This is horrific but not entirely suprising. We in the U.S. treat
our soldiers like dirt. The Veteran's Hospitals are ghoulish
nightmares and to ask for people to seek help in them is inhuman. Over a million veterans were turned away from filthy,
overcrowded VA Hospitals last year. There's no $$$ allocated
for adequate mental health care, obviously. And many veterans
returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are finding that the college
tuition they were promised for serving is not materializing.
Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, whose own son has fought in
Iraq, is sponsoring a bill to Congress right now to try to make
sure college funds are available to our returning troops. To no
one's surprise, most Republicans in Congress oppose the
bill as too expensive.
This is a pity and my country's shame.

Reggie Cholonas, Washington D.C., U.S.A.

Humans have failed to keep pace with the armament developments.only two hundred years ago ,we were fighting with arrows and swords, now,,jets,bombs,lasers.nuclear are the norm,what a change.arrows were our companions for time immorial.human body is in the same mould as 2 centuries ago,but the job required is entirely different.A human soldier is incapable to cope,thus this breakdown.modern weapon require robots to handle them, NOT HUMANS.

Muhammed Shafiq, manchester, U.K

"While it took roughly a decade for the lives of Vietnam veterans to unravel to the point that they started showing up among the homeless..."

That's because, while the U.S. combat role in Vietnam ended in 1973, America's structural homelessness problem itself didn't begin to manifest until about 1980. I remember being shocked the first time I saw people holding 'Will work for food' signs along Market Street in San Francisco.

John West, Conway, South Carolina

Kanye West (in)famously said, "George Bush doesn't care about black people." If one believes the statistics in this story, he doesn't care about servicemen either. Pity the poor, black serviceman.

John Blackley, Austin, TX, USA

What utter fools Bush and Blair have been taking us all into this never ending war that has given us nothing but heartache. How can such large populations allow such individual people to put us into such a position ?.

Donald, London, UK

Hi,
An aspect of news that has gone unnoticed in your news paper today the day of Thursday, 15 November 2007 is the hundredth “birthday of Graf von Stauffenberg a man with courage who discovered he stands alone.
Regards Dr Terence Hale Zandvoort

Terence Hale, zandvoort, Holland

Obviously, this news is disturbing. As we've always known, war is a terrible thing and it should be avoided at all cost. That said, the majority of U.S. and Allied troops in Iraq and Ahghanistan believe in their missions and will not be satisfied until the people of both countries are free from oppression and terrorism. God bless them for their sacrifice.

Garry, Colorado Springs, Colorado/US

Such individual deaths are tragic. It would be more objective however if the statistics compared the death rate by suicide with that of young men in the general population, whether veteran or not. I believe when you take the female quotient out of the equation, and compare it with similar age groups, the suicide rate of veteran men is no different from its comparable cohort in the general population.

John Paul Garber, Boston, Massachusetts

Six and a quarter thousand suicides among a population of twenty three and a half million US veterans equals an annual rate of 26 suicides per 100,000 persons.

The vast majority of our veterans are male, and the suicide rate among US adult males varies between 20 and 30 per 100,000 in most age groups, and 40 to 50 per 100,000 among the elderly.

The numbers reported in this news item are heart-breaking and typical of the general population without regard to military service status. This attempt to manipulate them into an indictment of US foreign policy is childish and ghoulish.

Doug, Pittsburgh, PA

A tragedy of truly horrific proportions. If this doesn't convince George Bush and his administration of the enormous and unsustainable cost in both human and financial terms to his own people of thedisastrous Iraqi and Afghan wars, then nothing will. To think the lives of these servicemen are cut short throuh either suicide or the shameful lack of proper medical care is morally indefensible. I am truly appalled by this news.

Colin Cumner, Adelaide, South Australia

Your article does a great disservice as the basis of the data are not specified.

1. Suicides you refer to are among "all veterans" not just Iraq War veterans. We have veterans dating back to WW I in the data base you so loosely quote from.

2. The rate of general population mental health you refer to does not break down and delineate age groupings of non-service vs. served in recent years in the military data.

3. Homelessness across the United States is at an all time, historic low, nationwide below 250,000, according to data release within the past one week.

5. Reference to 1,500 veterans among the 250,000 homeless data is not thereby carefully related to the total data base.

ALL suicides are regrettable, let me ad, as a retired military veteran of 31 years commissioned service. But, the reasons and causes of suicide are medical, things such as manic depression, today "today as often as not referred to as bipolar disorder. Less yellow journalism w/slanted data.

George Singleton, Hoover, Alabama, USA

Lest we forget, the 6,256 suicides represents the year 2005. The silence of the Bush Cheney administration, of the Department of Defense, of Veterans Affairs and the mass media is beyond shameful. It is nothing short of complicity in the most egregious of crimes. What about the lives of our young soldiers, those young men and woman whose shattered innocence of the unjust, immoral war they were sent to defend so tormented their souls they were driven to suicide? Forgotten lives of tormented souls sent to defend the immoral leadership of a nation driven by greed. And there is no denying we are all complicit in their tragic deaths by our own silence. Without protest, we allowed the leadership of our nation to run shotgun over an equally corrupt Congress and judicial system that sanctioned the most sacred of our civil liberties and our human rights to the point of condoning torture forgetting that the tortured were the young innocent we sent to defend freedoms we as a nation had foresaken

K. von Gerhke, Alexandria, VA USA

This is the achilles heel of this morally bankrupt administration. The labour government should feel the same backlash.
For troops to return to their homes and substandard conditions is a slap in the face to those who thought they were doing the right thing and a wake up call to those who supported the dangerous people who clearly dont know what the right thing is any more.

rob mchardy, paris, france

The guilt complex is what brings soldiers mad, as it did in Vietnam

Paolo Secondo, new york, usa