“I told myself they died for a reason, but I can’t find that reason.”
The Ground Truth is a documentary that should be watched by everyone who has a friend, relative or loved one who’s served–or is about to serve–in Iraq and Afghanistan. The film’s premise is that military personnel return home with baggage from the war, and that the severity of this baggage is all too often ignored. Take the case of 23-year-old Jeff Lucey–for example. He returned home, and while his family realized he had changed, they had no idea to what degree, but the burden of guilt he carried led him to commit suicide by hanging himself with a garden hose. “The Ground Truth” brings Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to the fore and expresses the idea that due to the nature of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, PTSD is a widespread, but mostly ignored problem, in returning veterans.
The film begins with footage of “Recruiting Induction” at Virginia Beach, and then interviews various veterans. They basically say the same thing–the Basic Training process dehumanizes the recruit and prepares him to kill, but what happens when the seasoned soldier returns home after, let’s say 1, 2 or 3 tours in Iraq? How does that soldier adjust to civilian life? The film’s many interviews reinforce the idea that Iraq and Afghanistan are particularly difficult conflicts due to the civilian casualties. Many of those interviewed stress that the deaths of their friends and the killing of civilians haunts them today, and while they effectively ‘turn this off’ while in combat, nonetheless, it remains and emerges later.
There are many stories here–the Afghanistan medic who’s haunted by the alleged al-qaeda insurgent who was hung by his hands by three days until gangrene set in. After his hands were amputated, it was discovered that he was perfectly innocent after all, so he was set free. Many of those interviewed are haunted by images of dead children. Wives and girlfriends of veterans express the knowledge that the person who returned is not the person who left. Some of those veterans interviewed stress that they returned home and began to feel safer if they slept with guns under the bed or carried guns around with them all the time. One decorated soldier recalls how he went berserk at a party and ended up facing a lengthy jail sentence in a federal prison before he woke up to the fact that he needed help.
On the subject of ‘help’ the film explores the military’s treatment of PTSD and the manner in which returning soldiers are asked if they are experiencing symptoms. Some veterans are blissfully unaware that they have lingering problems until months later when they begin experiencing episodes of rage. Other soldiers continue to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan–in spite of the fact they’re being treated for PTSD.
Those interviewed include former marine Stan Goff, plus veterans Perry O’Brien, Robert Acosta, Sean Huze, Aidan Delgado, and Camilo Mejia. The interviews are impressive, courageous, sincere and thoughtful. There’s a great deal to mull over here for anyone troubled by the current situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it’s clear the cost to humanity goes beyond X billion dollars. When it comes to the problems experienced with the VA, some additional personal stories would have helped bolster the documentary. Delays and difficulties are alluded to–especially when it comes to getting appropriate treatment but this issue could stand additional exploration. DVD extras include a deleted scene and an extended scene, and viewers should note that some of the film’s footage is graphic.
