While my husband was deployed, two reporters took multiple trips and spent time getting to know his platoon, they went on patrols, and experienced the horrors of war along side our soldiers. Sebastian Junger and Tim Heatherington have taken their experiences back with them and are sharing them with the world in the book 'War' which comes out tomorrow. This book changed my perspective and my life. It promted me to start connecting with other military families and find out what is going on in our society. It has also helped me to better understand my husband, PTSD, love, and brotherhood. They also created a documentary called 'Restrepo' which won the Grand Jury Award at the International Sundance Film Festival this past year. Here are sites for more information and a letter I sent to Sebastian about the book:

www.restrepothemovie.com
www.sebastianjunger.com

I just wanted to let you know that your book gave me a completely different perspective and outlook on life. I've been struggling with understanding the aftermath of war and really trying to get a grip on PTSD and how I can help my husband help himself. I think after we both read it there was some kind of deeper, unspoken understanding between us. It was both healing and therapeutic. I think it has even helped start a new chapter in my own life. I have recenty been having 'aha' moments and I think it is my calling to help military families who are struggling. I consider myself to be moderatly privelaged in our society so those who are born into marginalization and then have to deal with all of these complex issues must really be falling through the cracks. I felt that you left the reader hanging a little at the end wondering well what are all of these guys doing now, where has this lead them, how has their experiences impacted them and their families. Well, these are all questions I've been asking myself and I've started to reach out to some of the other women of the 173rd. I'm excited for Restrepo to come to theatres, I think it will be a wake up call for our society. I've been asked by another soldier in my husband's platoon to start talking to other wives and mothers in dealing with their loved ones who have been suffering from the aftermath of war. I've also encouraged him to start writing his own book. My husband and I have been through a lot of hell in the past year and he's (we're) finally doing better now. Well, besides the fact that he is in jail for the DUI's that he got. It seems to be helping him though, I think (and hope) everything happens for a reason. I'm trying to start a coalition of women to tell their stories of what we've been through in trying to help our men. I feel that is the next step that you prompted me to take. We'll see where it all goes.