Sep 16, 2008 — America's military has been at war in Afghanistan and Iraq for seven years. The long campaign has brought new strains to soldiers and service-members. But the pressure is also growing on military families and children. Advocates are pushing for more financial support, better mental health programs, and better housing. Brian Mann was in Washington DC last week for a conference on the future of military families, hosted by National Public Radio. He spoke with Michele Joyner. She's a military spouse herself and works with the National Military Families Association.  Go to full article

Sep 15, 2008 — Fort Drum soldiers are training for yet another mission overseas. Defense officials announced last week that the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Brigade will lead a surge of forces in Afghanistan likely early next year. The quick tempo of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan is being blamed for the growing problem of suicide among soldiers. The Army has responded with new suicide prevention programs. But the number of soldiers taking their own lives this year is expected to break the record set last year. On Friday, Fort Drum held a memorial march to draw attention to the issue. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Sep 10, 2008 — The United States Army is facing a particularly grim statistic. After a record number of soldiers killed themselves last year, the number of suicides is on pace to be even higher this year. According to the Associated Press, there are 62 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers and Guard and Reserve troops called to active duty in 2008. Another 31 deaths appear to be suicides but are still being investigated. Army Secretary Pete Geren told the AP, "Army leaders are fully aware that repeated deployments have led to increased distress and anxiety for both soldiers and their families." Friday morning at Fort Drum, officials are drawing attention to the danger of suicide with a memorial walk at 11 am. The public is invited to attend. David Sommerstein spoke with Ralph Marcellus, the coordinator of Fort Drum's suicide awareness and prevention campaign.  Go to full article

Aug 29, 2008 — North Country Congressman John McHugh, after two days in Iraq, says he sees "a return to normalcy" in the war-torn country. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Jul 15, 2008 — Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake offers a new play this summer that explores war, recovery, acceptance and hope. "Welcome Home Jenny Sutter" opens next Tuesday night and continues through the end of August. Jenny Sutter is home from Iraq. She's a 30-year-old Marine, minus her lower right leg, with a mind filled with horrific memories. The play's been called a tender, funny and important story of a female veteran struggling to return to civilian life. Todd Moe talks with director Anita Montgomery and Fiona Christie, who portrays Jenny Sutter.  Go to full article

Jul 03, 2008 — Last month, the Bush administration lost a major Supreme Court fight over the treatment of prisoners held at the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Court ruled that inmates held at the facility must be allowed to challenge their detentions in civilian court, and they must be presented with the evidence against them. The rules are known broadly as "habeas corpus" rights. Civil liberties advocates praised the decision. Critics say prisoners labeled as "enemy combatants" by President Bush shouldn't enjoy legal protections. Over the weekend, one of the attorneys who challenged the Bush Administration's terror policy spoke at a church in Keene Valley. Occasionally, North Country Public Radio broadcasts an excerpt of a speech given on an important topic in the North Country. This morning, we'll hear from Emi MacClean, who works for an organization called the Center for Constitutional Rights.  Go to full article

May 28, 2008 — New Pentagon figures show 40,000 U.S. troops have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder since 2003. But Army officials believe many more are keeping their illness secret. A study released last month by the Rand Corporation puts the number much higher. It found that 300,000 - one in five veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan -- suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or major depression. Army Surgeon General Eric Schoomaker says officials are encouraging troops to get help, military or civilian. Fort Drum in Watertown has begun expanding its mental health programs. The VA is also scrambling to create new therapy methods to treat PTSD. In the May 19 issue of The New Yorker magazine, North Country writer Sue Halpern profiled one experimental new treatment called "Virtual Iraq."

Halpern told Brian Mann the story of one Marine named Travis Boyd who used the "virtual reality" computer simulation to heal from his wartime experience.  Go to full article

May 26, 2008 — One of the country's top journalism think tanks, The Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, gathered journalists from across the country together last week to talk about news media coverage of the impact of the War in Iraq - on the homefront. It's important for journalists to "get it right" - to report fairly and accurately in our hometowns. The war remains one of the dominant events of our times, but over time, the "story" has changed. That's part of the challenge that was at the focus of the seminar. Brian Mann was one of the participating journalists. He spoke with Martha Foley as he waited for his flight home.  Go to full article

May 16, 2008 — A New York National Guard spokesman says a review is underway to determine whether the armory in Saranac Lake should close. The facility employs three people and supports roughly twenty soldiers. Brian Mann reports.  Go to full article

May 08, 2008 — This week, soldiers from Fort Drum's 10th Mountain Division are heading back to Iraq for another 15-month deployment. We've been talking with First Sergeant Jennifer Rebecca Williams, who goes by "JR", about the growing demands on military families. Sgt. Williams is leaving behind her husband and her 3-year-old daughter Reilly. She told Brian Mann that balancing her military career and her role as a mom is tough. And Williams says the Army could do more to support military moms.  Go to full article