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Psychological trauma persists for 1991 Gulf War veterans, study says

01:00 AM EDT on Monday, June 4, 2007

A new study conducted in the United States and published in the May issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry has found that deployment of military personnel during the 1991 Persian Gulf War has been associated with increased levels of mental disorders, psychological symptoms, and a lower quality of life, beginning during the war and persisting at a lower rate 10 years later.

The National Health Survey of Gulf War Era Veterans and Their Families, which can be found online at bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/abstract/190/5/385, included mail and telephone surveys of 15,000 deployed veterans and 15,000 nondeployed veterans, beginning in 1995. Overall, the findings point to the need for adequate follow-up mental-health care for veterans with persistent mental illnesses following major military deployments.

For more information and resources to combat post-traumatic stress disorder, visit www.military.com/benefits/resources/ptsd-overview.

Middletown, Newport host literary events

The Naval War College Museum in Newport will present a lunchtime lecture and book signing with Neal Bascomb, author of Red Mutiny: Eleven Fateful Days on the Battleship Potemkim, on Wednesday at noon at the museum. This event is free the public, but attendees must call (401) 841-4052 in advance to register and enter the Naval War College at Gate One.

Red Mutiny provides the first full account of the rebellion that inspired the Russian Revolution. It is the first time in 50 years that the story of the 1905 mutiny on the battleship Potemkin, when sailors aboard the Russian Navy’s most powerful ship seized control and flew the red flag of revolution, has been told without Russian government censorship.

Red Mutiny draws on newly accessible Soviet archives. The result is a compelling, well-paced and plotted story that reads like a thriller. Featuring epic naval battles, heroic sacrifices, treachery, bloodlust and a rallying cry to freedom that would steer the course of the 20th century, Red Mutiny is a tale of courage, the power of ideas, and the fragile nature of alliance.

Copies of Red Mutiny may be purchased at the lecture for the author to sign. A former book editor and overseas journalist, Bascomb has appeared on documentaries on the A&E cable channel and the History Channel and has also written for The New York Times.

Meanwhile, the author of These Scars Are Sacred, a novel written to heal and inform and to bring Vietnam War veterans a universal symbol of recognition and honor for the supreme sacrifice given in service to their country and to restore the dignity stolen by a nation that forgot them, will appear at a book-signing event on Saturday, from noon to 2 p.m., at Gilbert VFW Post 4487, 52 Underwood Lane, Middletown.

Author Elliott Storm will autograph copies sold that day for $24.95 at the event cosponsored by American Legion Post 18 and VFW Post 4487. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit both post sponsors in their community activities. For more information call (401) 847-0102, or send e-mail to ripost18legion@aol.com.

Panel of urologists to answer questions

An open forum will be held at the Providence VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Ave., Providence, on June 12, from 9 to 10 a.m., to answer questions on urinary frequency and retention, bladder or prostate cancers, erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostate.

The urology panel of experts will take audience questions in classroom 3, fifth-floor auditorium. To register call Eileen Kirshenbaum at (401) 273-7100, ext. 2926, and leave your name.

Submarine Veterans

SUBVETS Groton assembles tonight for the monthly meeting at its clubhouse, 40 School St., Groton, Conn., at 6:30. The June dinner is set for Friday, from 5:45 to 8:45 p.m., at the Groton clubhouse, with three sittings at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. The steak dinner tickets cost $13 and reservations are required by Wednesday. On Saturday, at 9 p.m. at Dealey Center, SUBVETS-Groton Base will induct life members into the Holland Club with a reception to follow. Send e-mail to Jim Gentry at holland@subvetsgrotonbase.org for base security identification information if you wish to attend. For additional information about any of the above events, call John Carcioppolo at (860) 464-8770.

Combat Infantry

The Rhode Island chapter holds its spring meeting tonight, at 7, at Evelyn’s Villa in West Warwick.

Fleet Reserve Association

Blackstone Valley Branch 132 meets tonight at 7 at VFW Post 306, 171 Fountain St., Pawtucket.

Marine Corps League

The Kent County Detachment will meet Wednesday at VFW Post 449, Providence St., West Warwick, starting at 7 p.m., to discuss the coming family picnic. All active, retired, or discharged Marines and Navy corpsmen are welcome at monthly meetings.

Coventry Veterans Council

The council will meet Thursday, at 10 a.m., at AJ’s restaurant, Main Street, West Warwick, with a complimentary breakfast to be served.

Navy Armed Guard

Members will meet Thursday at Bickford’s restaurant, Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, at noon.

United Veterans Council

The council will gather Thursday, at 7 p.m., in conference room B at the state administration building at One Capitol Hill, Providence.

VFW and Auxiliary

An Auxiliary department council of administration meeting will be held Thursday, at 7:30 p.m., at 178 Columbus Ave., Pawtucket. Kelley-Gazzerro Post 2812 Auxiliary will sponsor a fundraiser yard sale on Sunday at 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and post members will meet on Sunday, at 9:30 a.m. Gatchell Post 306 will host a bingo on Sunday, at 1 p.m., at 171 Fountain St., Pawtucket.

Vietnam Veterans

Chapter 325 will meet on Thursday, at 7:30 p.m., at 1958 Kingstown Rd., Peace Dale.

Retired Enlisted

Narragansett Bay Chapter 79 will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at VFW Post 4487, 52 Underwood Lane, Middletown; a quorum is needed to conduct official business.

Warwick Veterans

The council recently elected its new officers: president, Joseph Koole; senior vice president, Brenda Gomez; treasurer, Peter Peckham; secretary, Arthur Williams; officer of the day, James Ware; chaplain, Fred Adams; and, parade chairpersons, Anthony Rodriques and Lenny Malo.

Military Officers’

Association

Narragansett Bay and Southeastern New England chapters will meet at the Newport Naval Station Officers Club on June 13, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30. National MOAA president Norbert Ryan Jr. will speak. Reservations must be made by June 11 by calling Fred at (401) 364-8969.

Destroyer Escort Sailors

Members and former DE sailors are invited to a Narragansett Bay Harbor Queen cruise on June 14, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., leaving from the Bay Queen dock , Water Street Bristol. For more information or reservations, call Roland at (508) 994-9246.

George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn@verizon.net or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, R.I. 02902.