Today's Veterans Day Fact

MANIFESTO

With all the hoopla concerning the erstwhile Armistice Day, I thought I'd add my two cents. Viz.,

Jessica Jacobsen, a spokeswoman at the Dallas division of the department [of Veteran Affairs stated] that as of March 31, 2010 a total 162,050 veterans were seen at a VA clinic for potential PTSD following their return from Iraq or Afghanistan. Jacobsen said she couldn't tell how many are suffering from serious health problems ... because the severity of each veteran's condition is a "case-by-case account."

Evan Kanter, a psychiatrist at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System who specializes in the health effects of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, said the Defense Department's records are "a very limited source." He also called the VA's estimate — more than 100,000 — a "very conservative number."

Happy Veterans Day.