Regarding the article, “PTSD: It’s real, it’s treatable, and you’re not alone” (August 2014 Veterans Life):

A good article and helpful to those of us with PTSD, but it is a shame that the thousands of men and women who suffer with PTSD from Military Sexual Trauma (MST) have been left out. Each time we are ignored only reinforces the aura of shame we are encouraged to carry when we did nothing wrong. And each time a report is silent about the consequences of this crime only encourages the perpetrators to act again.

I am saddened that this publication does not have the courage to speak truth to power.

Mary McLeod Parmenter
U.S. Marine Corps, 1960-61
Bremerton

Parmenter adds: The Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) is working to “transform military culture by securing equal opportunity and freedom to serve without discrimination, harassment or assault; and to reform veterans’ services to ensure high quality health care and benefits for women veterans and their families.” SWAN strives to aid service women through policy reform, media advocacy, litigation, and community organizing. SWAN believes all service women and veterans deserve equal opportunities, equal protections, and equal benefits.