Rev. Danny Fisher

The Washington Post is currently running a remarkable investigation series about the experiences of soldiers and sailors back home from Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations. The venerated D.C. paper has compiled a truly striking collection of stories, articles, photographs, and other media. The series website describes its particular focus:

[The "Walter Reed and Beyond" series] follows the care and treatment of the men and women who came home from battle in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. It examines the promises made, and the reality lived, in the aftermath of war.

The most recent additions to the series pertain to the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in returning servicemen and servicewomen.

As many as one-quarter of all soldiers and Marines returning from Iraq are psychologically wounded, according to a recent American Psychological Association report. Twenty percent of the soldiers in Iraq screened positive for anxiety, depression and acute stress, an Army study found.

The Post is also soliciting relevant stories, photographs and videos from readers. Stories of experiences with the military and Veterans Administration (VA) health care systems can be shared by phone at (202) 334-4480, or via email at militarycare@washpost.com. Photos and videos chronicling readers’ experiences can be sent to walterreed@washingtonpost.com.