Editorials

Soldier’s heart

9/8/2013

U.S. ARMY Staff Sgt. Ty Carter recently stood in the East Room of the White House, where President Obama presented him with the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor.

Sergeant Carter, 33, is a very brave man. He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, to which the President alluded, although he remains on active duty. The courage he showed on the battlefield is reflected off the battlefield.

On Oct. 3, 2009, in remote eastern Afghanistan, 53 U.S. troops defended a vulnerable position, Combat Outpost Keating, against a dawn attack by 300 insurgents. Sergeant Carter repeatedly braved intense fire to run across open ground and resupply his comrades with ammunition.

He killed enemy troops and carried back a wounded soldier who later died of his wounds — one of eight Americans who died in the battle.

Sergeant Carter once said he believed that PTSD was not a real disorder, but instead an excuse to avoid work. Now he is speaking out to help other sufferers like himself. He speaks with unique authority, on behalf of heroes all.