shayden

yesterday, combat operations "officially ended" in iraq... i watched president obama's speech - while i admired his tribute to the troops, it seemed there weren't any words which could be said at that moment to suffice...

this has hit me really hard, this end they speak of... 4,400 troops killed - and yet only time will be able to tell "for what?"...

i find that hard to grasp - so hard that i didn't sleep more than three hours last night. my heart...

this past december i had a partial knee reconstruction where my lateral ligament was replaced with a cadaver ligament...i went through extensive physical therapy and at my six month follow-up visit, was doing very well. i should be able to return to normal physical activity...key word - should...

this past weekend i took my dogs for a walk - nothing crazy, just a two mile walk on paved trails...

monday morning - BAM - fat knee! not only fat, but extremely painful to...

here is an editorial to follow up from yesterday's article...

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/horrors-of-war-get-reality-check-803260.html

here is an article i was featured in regarding the new ptsd guidelines, fighting for benefits...

http://www.statesman.com/news/texas-politics/more-vets-may-get-treatment-for-ptsd-801048.html

i was asked by the NY Times to post a blog about the repeal of don't ask, don't tell... i know all have differing views, but as a gay servicemember who holds deep pride in my service, i wanted to share...

http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/16/a-gay-veteran-seeks-the-freedoms-she-defended/