Comments on: Warrior Christmas – Holiday Stress

By: Papa Smurf

Papa Smurf — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:20:20 +0000

Bear, let it be known, we love you and thank you for all you have done for our “Freedom” and our country. May “blessings”be great for you and your family, “each day”, each year to come. Papa Smurf

By: admin

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:51:59 +0000

Although we don’t claim to know the ‘ins and outs’ of the Warrior mind, especially after coming home from conflict, much of what you commented was approached by the doctor. Her counsel does advise to allow the Warrior his privacy – by not asking him to share his feelings or to get out in the hustle and bustle of the holiday. Her advice to fix some of the favorite dishes of the Warrior should obviously come with anticipation that the Warrior eats when he/she is ready. Dr. Bridget is not counseling the Warrior with her words, but those around them – and her advice is for the Warriors benefit and good, not to create further anxiety or stress.

By: Bear

Bear — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:22:51 +0000

Dr. Bridget,

I’m not aware of what your PHD is in, nor from where it was acquired. Your advice does not come from personal experience. When a soldier or marine returns from combat, he wants escape from the horrors of war. He wants to get drunk, smoke pot, and cry in his beer over the loss of his best friends, and the stress of knowing that he could have bit a bullet. And he wants to do it in privacy so that he shows no outward emotion. Don’t ask him how he feels, as that should be obvious by the anxiety in his eyes. Put the food on the table, and simply be thankful that he is physically there. He will eat when he is ready. He will talk when he is ready. The best thing you can do, is leave him alone, and ask if there is anything he needs.

SFC “Bear” Dixson
U.S. Army Special Operations Task Force
Middle East Advisory Command
(Medically Retired)

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:55:17 +0000

Thank you for sharing this wonderful informative article to assist families in welcoming their family member home for the holidays. May God Bless them for their service, their families for the sacrifice they give and you for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us.