Castrated Hearts

Press Release

US Military Veterans of all branches, eras and backgrounds are represented in Castrated Hearts: People Traumatized Shouldering Darkness, a collection of poems and photographs written by veterans which depict the experience of military acquired Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

"These stories have to be told," said contributor Donald Loomis, a Purple Heart recipient who served in Vietnam. Loomis was a Chief Warrant Officer and Army helicopter pilot who states that his six and a half years of service in the military were both the most exciting and most tragic years of his life.

"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the most devastating affliction that any member of the US military can suffer, whether acquired in or out of combat.   PTSD kills people, destroys families, and ruins lives," states Loomis.

My hope is that this book would raise awareness of PTSD throughout the United States. Currently PTSD is a phantom affliction. It's not talked about and is well repressed except for a small arena in the Veteran's Affairs Administration.

"If people are made more aware of PTSD, they may recognize the difficulties and dangers that US military veterans experience everyday from suffering from PTSD," Loomis further commented. "A veteran's life has value. That veteran has willingly put their life on the line for this country asking for nothing in return except to be treated with dignity, honor and respect. None of our veteran's should ever die because someone neglected their mental health."

Loomis chose the title "Castrated Hearts" because it was the most descriptive term to describe what happened to him after his tour in Vietnam.

Loomis hopes this book would bring to public awareness the devastation of PTSD on veterans and US service members of the armed forces so that increased efforts will be made throughout the US to emphasize the diagnosis, treatment, and long term care of its secret sufferers.

"Any veteran who has spent any time in combat or has been a victim of military sexual trauma should be aware of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and be screened for it."