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From: Gail Collins <>
Subject: WW1 & Mental Challenges
Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2006 20:00:42 -0500


Remember this did not happen just to BHC's as in my great uncles case
who was not an orphan. I am no expert in Wars and really have had no
urge to learn more on the subject such as a male counterpart
would. I do recall reading of more recent wars where these men ended
up with mental challenges.

In Canada we have our November 11 Remembrance Day. There are not too
many of these vets left and they do not want to talk of their
remembrances but do pay their respect in their uniforms, parades,
services, and laying of wreaths. There is a sadness in their
demeanour but perhaps they have stronger dispositions than the ones
that ended up not being able to handle it.

I understand Betty's comments about BHC's and see where this might
also add to their problems - ''I've (Betty) read how so many of
them were mistreated by or just didn't like or didn't get along with
-- the farmers they were sent to live with -- and how many of them
"ran away" .. and that means that they were not getting 3 healthy
meals per day, etc., and were not getting "annual physicals."

Betty also agrees with my other poing - "I also want to remind
you of how many "soldiers" came back from fighting in "major" Wars
.. "no longer mentally healthy." ("War is Hell") How many of
them came back home with the "loss of a limb" and could no longer
support their family !"


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