Remembering those who served...

texasPHINSfan · Jul 10, 2008

During the first week of the war in Iraq in 2003, a Military Times photographer captured the image of Army Pfc. Joseph Patrick Dwyer as he raced through a battle zone clutching a tiny Iraqi boy named Ali.

"Doc" Dwyer's concerned face appeared on the pages of newspapers across the country. Dwyer, 31, died June 28 in Pinehurst, N.C., after years of struggling with mental disorders. During that time, he spiraled into substance abuse and depression, and he found himself in trouble with the law.

"Of course he was looked on as a hero here," said Capt. Floyd Thomas of the Pinehurst Police. Still, "we've been dealing with him for over a year."
The day he died, Dwyer called a taxi company for a ride to the hospital, Thomas said. When the driver arrived, "they had a conversation through the door (of Dwyer's home)," Thomas said, but Dwyer would not let the driver in. The driver asked Dwyer if he should call the police. Dwyer said yes. When the police arrived, they asked him if they should break down the door. He again said yes. Thomas told The Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer that bottles of prescription medicine were found near Dwyer.
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http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-07-08-iraq_N.htm

(saw this over on FH, and it struck a chord with me).

this just highlights how hard it is for some to adjust upon their return, and the affect of PTSD and how far it reaches. I've lost a lot of friends there and have had some friends lives ruined by PTSD. :(

Regan21286 · Jul 10, 2008

That was a very strong story. Haven't felt that way since the LA Times did an article about how many alums from my high school (including 2 of my friends) have fallen in Iraq.

alen1 · Jul 10, 2008

:sad:

RIP.

texasPHINSfan · Jul 10, 2008

the sad thing is this story won't get nearly as much publicity as the marine that threw the dog over the cliff

big thumb down to the media.

Vendigo · Jul 10, 2008

texasPHINSfan said:

the sad thing is this story won't get nearly as much publicity as the marine that threw the dog over the cliff
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Don't be too discouraged. It even made the mainstream media today here in Germany. The dog didn't.

HardKoreXXX · Jul 10, 2008

texasPHINSfan said:

the sad thing is this story won't get nearly as much publicity as the marine that threw the dog over the cliff

big thumb down to the media.
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I watched that movie Stop Loss last night and it touches on the difficulty soldiers have returning to civilian life.

HBO had a similar show that highlighted these problems. Really sad.

charlestonphan · Jul 10, 2008

terrible to read this, and know this guy is gone. may he rest in peace.

texasPHINSfan New Member

Regan21286 MCAT's, EMT's, AMCAS, ugh

alen1 New Member

texasPHINSfan New Member

Vendigo German Gigolo Club Member

HardKoreXXX Insensitive to the Touch

charlestonphan Junior Member

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