I cannot get this news out of my thoughts today -- Joseph Dwyer is dead. He killed himself. He was a decorated veteran of the Iraq war, an Army medic. He had PTSD. He is the latest announced casualty of war-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Many of us heard about it after Vietnam. Some men, we were told, returned home having flashbacks and exhibiting anti-social behavior. But, like most people back then, I shrugged it off, never realizing that it would come to effect so many that I knew and loved. I didn't know then how deeply it could wound a person, or with what lasting and horrible presence. PTSD can often have a delayed effect. One day a colleague of mine had to be taken from his office, as he was cowering behind his desk, terrified. He was a Vietnam vet who in 25 years had exhibited no negative symptoms.

1) Returning veterans and health care: Although media coverage of veterans' health care has died down, the problem persists because in Iraq 17 wounded troops survive for every one killed. Update: Daniel Zwerdling, who has been covering vets with PTSD all year, recorded a great interview with On Point's Tom Ashbrook. Worth listening to.