A Decade Later

Abstract

This September we solemnly mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Many programs and events are planned, including publications and symposia that will address the physical, mental, behavioral, and public health consequences of those terrible events. Forums, vigils, dialogues, commemorative religious services, and programs in art and music also will be offered. I’m sure that many of us also will mark this event in our own way, particularly those of us who have been personally affected by the loss of life on 9/11. As for me, I will never forget relaying the news to students in the class I was teaching that morning and then rushing home so I would be waiting at the corner in front of my house when my children got off the bus. As I headed home on the highway, the total lack of traffic heading the opposite direction into New York City and the absence of any planes in the sky were strangely eerie. I was to learn later that, by the evening of that terrible Tuesday, a number of my students had managed to travel from New Haven, Connecticut, to Ground Zero to help in any way they could, which included setting up a makeshift morgue. As pediatric providers, we are surely aware of the impact that the subsequent war on terrorism has had on the families and children in our care. Since September 11, 2001, more than 1.2 million military spouses and 2 million children have been affected by at least one deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan as part of this country’s military response. In addition to the number of dead and injured American service casualties, it is believed that about 17% of troops returning home from combat deployment have experienced significant mental health consequences such as post-traumatic stress syndrome (Chartrand and Siegel, 2007Chartrand M. Siegel B. At war in Iraq and Afghanistan: Children in US military families.Ambulatory Pediatrics. 2007; 7: 1-2Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (32) Google Scholar). Little is known about the actual impact of a parent’s deployment or combat experiences on children. More research is needed with regard to which deployment-related factors may place children and families at risk for long-term social, financial, and emotional difficulties. What is clear, however, is that the U.S. military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan is now measured in terms of years, not weeks or days, and many of our military personnel have served on multiple deployments. Although the Internet, Skype, and other forms of electronic communications have the potential to bridge those distances among family members, the stresses of extensive and numerous repeated deployments remain. Of particular concern are families in which a loved one has been called up from a Reserve list or from the National Guard (as opposed to being on active duty). Often these families remain in their own home community, which may not be located near a military base and its related support services. In both the public and private sector, numerous efforts have been made to provide support and mental health resources for military families and children. The Department of Defense “Military One Source” Web site, http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/MilitaryFamiliesGateway.aspx, provides those who sign up with information on military life, health, relationships, careers and education, and financial and legal assistance. “Operation: We Are Here” (http://www.operationwearehere.com/index.html) is a non-denominational Christian ministry that has expanded awareness of the challenges facing families of deployed military personnel. It offers suggestions and provides resources for individuals and communities that wish to support and encourage the military home front. The national initiative “Joining Forces” (http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces), which is led by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, provides clear information and tool kits to guide all Americans who wish to become more involved in serving our military families. The sacrifices that military personnel and their families make on our behalf are tremendous indeed. Our commemorations and tributes this September should serve as a reminder to us that the health and well-being of children and families affected by military service are our professional as well as personal responsibility.