Dr. Beal -

 

Thank you so much for writing your book, "War Stories from the Forgotten Soldiers."  I received a copy as part of the curriculum for the April 2024 Episcopal chaplain conference.  I wish I had read your book before the conference as I would have gained so much more insight in addition to your presentation.  As it was, I finally picked up the book and read it nearly in one sitting on an airline trip.  

 

Thank you for your honest reflections...and for each of the remarkable stories.  As an Air Force chaplain, I was exposed to the issues of combat stress, PTSD, physical and moral injury, etc.  Toward the end of my career, I served in Iraq (2006-2007), notably in the combat hospital in Balad.  Previously, I had served three years at Dover AFB and was involved in the port mortuary ministry.  The stories you share in your book resonate with me in many ways.    

 

There were two areas which particularly spoke to me.  The first was your calling for collective grief on behalf of society.  The second was the importance of society realizing the cost paid by the 1% who defend our nation's freedoms.  In talking with family, friends, and others, I find they often don't want to know any details about my time in Iraq.  I'll mention I was in Iraq, and in what I was involved as a chaplain, but few (if any) ever want to know more.   Either they don't know how to ask, thinking I don’t want to talk about my experiences, or they don't want to know.

 

When I returned from Iraq, our Bishop for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, George Packard, arranged for each returnee to have at least one hour on the phone with a psychiatrist.  In this case, the provider was Dr. Karen Binder-Byrnes.  Bishop Packard mandated we spend one hour in conversation with Dr. Binder-Byrnes, and added we could have more time with her if we needed.  I appreciated the hour I spent with Dr. Binder-Byrnes on the phone as I was able to reflect both as a professional care giver and a person affected by the experience. 

 

These days, Navy personnel are required to attend a Warrior Transition brief following deployments.  The manner in which these events are presented seem out of sync with the needs of the military member, and with my experience.  These kind of group debriefings may appeal to some, but mostly they do not.  However, I support the idea of the ‘chance to talk’ provided by a one-on-one conversation with no strings attached, i.e. allowing the member to have a conversation with no strings attached, no agenda other than the military members' opportunity to talk or not talk about their most recent experience.  The opportunity given the clients you relate in your book prove the point. 

 

I’ve recommended your book to members of the Military Chaplains' Association.  The editor of the MCA weekly newsletter includes a book review among the many chaplain related articles.  I’d like for others to know of your contribution to the profession of arms and the experiences of the forgotten soldiers.

 

Robert E. Lee said of war:  "It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it."  The stories in your book reflect deeply on the terribleness of war, a truth we must collectively face to erase any fondness.

 

Thank you for all you provided to the warrior in your caregiving!!  And thanks for being with us last April.

 

The Rev. Jeffrey Neuberger

Chaplain, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)