MILITARY - Our Troops, Leaving Iraq and Dealing With Stress

"As Troops Leave Iraq, What Happens to Military Bases, Equipment?" PBS Newshour 12/14/2011

Excerpt

JUDY WOODRUFF (Newshour): The president today welcomed the end of the war in Iraq, with all U.S. troops due to leave before the month is out. He also acknowledged the costs of the long conflict.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: And on behalf of a grateful nation, I'm proud to finally say these two words -- and I know your families agree. Welcome home.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BARACK OBAMA: Welcome home.

JUDY WOODRUFF: It was a homecoming complete with the commander in chief for the latest detachments of troops arriving back at Fort Bragg, N.C.

President Obama praised the efforts of 1.5 million Americans who've served in Iraq since 2003.

BARACK OBAMA: We're building a new partnership between our nations. And we are ending a war not with a final battle, but with a final march toward home. This is an extraordinary achievement nearly nine years in the making. And, today, we remember everything that you did to make it possible.

JUDY WOODRUFF: That effort came at a high price in blood and treasure. The president said the United States spent more than $1 trillion on the war, although many war critics contend the real figure is far higher.

And there is the human cost of years of fighting, with nearly 4,500 American dead and, the president said, the toll on thousands of military families.

"Army Program Aims to Build Troops' Mental Resilience to Stress" PBS Newshour 12/14/2011

Excerpt

JUDY WOODRUFF (Newshour): Even as U.S. troops leave Iraq this month and, in three years, will depart Afghanistan, the psychological wounds of war will last for some time.

The NewsHour's health correspondent, Betty Ann Bowser, reports on a new Army program to help families and soldiers cope and the questions surrounding it.

BETTY ANN BOWSER: Here at Fort Bragg, N.C., the Army has always trained its soldiers to hit the bulls eye. And it's always taught the importance of staying fit. Now the Army is trying to teach its soldiers new skills to fight a war in uncharted territory in the human mind.