An Open Letter to Sarah Palin January 21, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Bristol, charity, Palin, PTSD, Recon, Sarah, sniper, Track, USMC, VA
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Dear Mrs. Palin,
I am a former US Marine and US Navy Officer with a Combat Action Ribbon as well as service connected disabilities. I am also a Republican. I have also served with, and am friends with, dozens of combat veterans who suffer daily from various injuries and wounds to include PTSD. I recently read your comments related to PTSD in which you attempted to excuse your son’s arrest on domestic abuse charges and firearm charges by referencing his supposed PTSD. Based upon your previous comments I am not surprised that you would choose to use this very serious condition as a political football and, once again, attempt to divert blame from your own family’s abhorrent, violent behavior.
In 2014 your entire family was involved in a late night ‘drunken brawl’ at a party in which Track Palin (the accused domestic abuser) was involved in a bloody fight. While you publicly stated how proud you were at your children’s violent actions, maybe this should have been a sign that Track has a problem. It is certainly curious that you did not feel the need to reference his supposed PTSD in this situation and instead stated: “…my kids’ defense of family makes my heart soar!” Maybe, instead of encouraging Track’s violence, you should have taken the opportunity to get him help. Maybe, instead of being the result of PTSD, your son was simply trying to uphold the stated Palin family values and “…make your heart soar” by abusing a woman.
PTSD is stigmatized in the media and not well understood by the general public. An estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every day in the United States. This is nearly 8,000 veterans who take their lives every year. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) stated: “Every day in the United States, 22 veterans succumb to suicide — losing their personal battle to invisible wounds of war.” Veterans who have willingly given so much in service to their country should not have to bear the burden of being further stigmatized by your ignorant and foolish statements.
While I do not propose to speak for all veterans, I am clearly not alone in my views regarding your unfortunate statements. They were unfortunate for the many veterans who face further disdain and discrimination based upon your inaccurate and ignorant portrayal of those who suffer with PTSD as well as the causes of the condition.
While I would personally prefer that you simply avoid public life and simply fade away, if you insist on trying to use your “celebrity status” for a cause, please educate yourself on the facts of PTSD and try to help veterans by using your significant influence in a more productive, and less political manner. There are a number of veteran’s organizations to which you can donate time, money and energy to make a difference. Two organizations you may want to consider is the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation and the Recon & Sniper Foundation.
Regards,
Chris Mark
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 
Thank you, Chris Mark for your letter. It’s to the point and shows what kind of female Sara Palin is she’s a quitter as well. Quit Alaska halfway thru her term as Governor. My thinking is she wasn’t smart enough to do the job so she quit. I wish they would stop calling her “the former Gov of Alaska!” Real Alaskans don’t claim her. We will soon hear Thrump’s campaign in it’s death throes. Lol. Doesn’t she live in Arizona now??
chris mark,,you are 100% right! ms palin is a disgrace,,to make excuses for a grown man who is a violent verbally abusive individual.. we have sevice men in our family who have returned from war who would never behave this way,,,reguardless of their circumstances/ what they’ve been through. she needs to go away! & her son needs to be locked up,,, he,s a piece of shit,,,
[…] An Open Letter to Sarah Palin […]
Sarah Palin is flakey and superficial. I lost what respect I had for her when she quit her office in mid term as governor of Alaska. She is now out for the money and little else.
You had respect for her? Really? Why?
In general Palin isn’t worth giving the time of day. She is worse than superficial, obviously incapable of understanding even the most basic concepts of humanity. She is an insult to any government office holder at any level.
I think that Sarah P. knows full well what the tour(s) of service have done to her son. I am glad that she brought this PTSD and its causes to the attention of the American People. There is a reason that 22 service men(women) are committing suicide every day. I don’t think she is being superficial at all. Face the truth! I seen the results of PTSD wit my own eyes! She is right on!
Having a nephew who served as a sniper in the Iraq war affirms your writing. The military does have great services for those who are able to seek the help. Thank you for your support and be well. You are a positive force, I sure do hope Ms. Palin takes your advice to heart.
God Bless your nephew, Margaret.
Very appropriately stated…unfortunately she probably will not understand the message…she is a poor excuse for a human being.
What a gentleman you are. I am not a warrior but am wounded and suffer slightly with ptsd. I am ashamed that Ms. Palin has said what she said with obviously no understanding but I am sure your eloquent letter will help. Thank you.
Thank you for writing the facts and description of PTSD in your open letter to “celebrity” Sarah Palin. I have two active Marines. I only pray they complete their deployments, and return safely, while our current president is in office.
Thank you
Pris
Please think your Marines! My days in the military are well behind me and it is the young guns today who protect us.
Insightful, and smart article. Thank you, and I am for anything that can change that number of 22 suicides a day! A day. omg.
We have seriously failed the very people we send off to the hell of war. Shame on our country. Get with the program “leaders” and Help stop this carnage! Time is wasting, with 22 suicides a DAY!
Chris Mark : I am proud of you and your service, & also proud you wrote this letter addressing Palins’ lack of parenting. I dont see how anyone could vote for her and she only hurts anyone that she supports (might be a good thing) This world needs a good strong leader with morales and leadership and understanding….. I challege the younger generation to “step up” if you meet those qualifications, as I know there is many people hungry to find a “OFFICER & A GENTLEMAN” to lead us in the right direction. Thanks!!!
Chris Mark, I want to commend you on a very thoughtful, well written letter; straight to the point, and spot on about our nation’s need to address PTSD; the need to take personal responsibility; as well as the cult of personality that is tearing us apart.
I condemn those who attempt to discredit you and your eloquent criticism of Sarah Palin simply because they are a fan of the former governor. Blind allegiance to any celebrity, politician, or cause has the makings of fanaticism and fascism. And I was also encouraged to see your rational defence of your quote from Senator Blumenthal as well as disheartened to see some challenging your personal decision to identify yourself as a Republican. The ability to find common ground and civil discourse on important issues is what is sorely lacking in our public arena, many of our politicians, and government today. The elevation of those who put self promotion over the common good through the theater of the absurd, where the person who says the most outrageous statement or soundbite commands the media and public’s attention over those who give issues thoughtful consideration and voice is hurting us. We need people with difference backgrounds and political viewpoints (like Senators Jim Webb and Bernie Sanders) to come together to address our important challenges including Veteran’s care, mental health and healthcare in this country. Although this Palin letter was my first introduction to your blog, I look forward to reading more from you from this point forward.
Keep up the good work.
Well said! Thank you!
It seems that you are denigrating PTSD by making statements suggesting that Track Palin does not suffer from the affliction. I have no idea whether he has been diagnosed with it or not. However, until he has been seen by a doctor and given a positive or negative diagnosis, please don’t assume that Ms. Palin is “using it as a political football”. IF he does suffer from PTSD, that has been used as a defense in a multitude of cases…including domestic abuse. PTSD affects different people in different ways…Even the medical community can’t always agree on what constitutes PTSD…That is part of the reason for it being “stigmatized”…For the record, I have very little use for Palin and her progeny…They strike me as not much more than The Kardashians, of Alaska…Like Bristol,. who now has 2 children by 2 different men…so much for “abstinence” and “purity”…All of the children have been spoiled rotten…much like the kid from Texas who has been dubbed “The Affluenza Teen”…Perhaps that is Track’s problem…he has been so spoiled he doesn’t know right from wrong…Again, until there is some sort of diagnosis, nobody can say for sure..I thank you for your service to the country and applaud your courage in speaking out…
Thank you, Chris Mark, for your service and for your intelligent comments. Much better than the name calling from other people.
Thank you Mr Mark for your spot on assessment of the palin clan. Son track had problems long before he joined the service. And this was first reported during the bush administration. Also daughter bristol had her 2nd baby born without benefit of marriage, now on baby #3.
Family values at it’s best.
I too wish Palin would go away. She dumped her job in Alaska for a TV show and fame. She has made a lot of money. Like any other family, they have a lot of issues. All of the bitter comments are like the current race that we are witnessing now. It is a disgrace that this is the best we have to offer America, regardless of which party you support.
I am a Vietnam Veteran with PTSD. In my weekly group we discuss all kinds of issues. There are a number of guys in our group that have violent flashbacks and have hit there spouse during that flashback. A good number are divorced for that reason. some are purple heart recipients but not all. Not all of us hit our wives or anyone else. We all deal with different levels of PTSD, some have it much worse than others.
Does it matter how many of the 22 vets that off themselves each day had PTSD or TBI or missing limbs? It’s a sin whatever the case may be. So please stop the fighting and unite to make America better. Vote, vote, vote for which ever party you want. Some great people died so we would have that right and the right to post negative comments.
Please don’t fight, please unite. GBA & GBOT
Regardless of her other statements, PTSD has been an ignored problem long before President Obama was even born — let alone in office. See George Carlin’s rant on Euphemisms.
Thank you Chris Mark, for your letter to Palin and for your service to our country.
Thank you.
Well said.
If anything Palin should blame Bush and the NEOCONS( including herself) for starting the senseless and counter productive Iraq war that created so many veterans who were wounded and traumatized. Without the senseless Iraq war we would not have so many war veterans Aviv the VA cannot handle.
About time these people are called out on what say. Most of the time she is rewarded for her coloring of the facts. She got fired from fox and that says it all. Go back to Alaska and be momma bear!
Thank you for you service and speaking truth in your letter…
Chris Mark, thank you for your letter. PTSD is grossly misunderstood, stigmatized and understudied. I suffer from PTSD myself and did not serve in the military. I think when many people see those four letters they automatically link them to traumatized, front line soldiers/veterans and don’t realize there are so many other factors that can cause the condition. Myself? I’m not afraid to say I suffer from PTSD due to being raped and sodomized as a child. I’ve carried a lifetime of guilt and shame with me. I think that speaks volumes to the non-understanding of the affliction. We can be connected by an illness, but that illness (like any other) has several causes. I’m not saying this in anyway, shape or form to defend Trip Palin. I simply advocate for those who suffer. It’s tough going through life with clinical depression, anxiety and panic disorders, and PTSD. It’s especially frustrating due to the stigma attached. Again, thank you for your service and bringing this issue to light in an intellectual manner.
BB
I may have to find what she said….I only saw it reported once…and the feeling I got was that she didn’t directly blame the president….for her sons ptsd….but for his lack of respect and concern for veterans above illegal aliens….
So maybe I missed the entire incident….but on the second part . .she is correct.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/subjects/veterans/
Thanks for sharing this Sharon. I never understand Veterans who are Republicans. Its the GOP who doesn’t care about our Vets.
Huzzah! right on point
How does one spell ‘boo-ya’? I want to lend my support to your thoughtful open letter to Sarah Palin. You have hit the nail on the head when you take offense at using PTSD as a political football. As a child growing up in the 60’s I lived next door to a man who came home from WWII almost 20 years after the war ended. He had been in a hospital recovering from what used to be called ‘shell shock’. Louie was my friend, and interacted with me and my siblings, his mother and my mother, but no one else. He needed it quiet. He lived out the rest of his life quietly with his mother, never exhibiting outward signs of the trauma that injured him. It wasn’t until my educated adulthood that it clicked for me what Louie had, was in fact, PTSD. I felt Sarah Palin’s almost manic rationalization and externalized blame for her son’s criminal action to be disgraceful, superficial, and self serving. I am going to share your post to help educate more people about PTSD, and the disingenuous rantings of Sarah Palin.
Thanks for your service,
Michele
Thank you for sharing this. It says a lot more than coming from a liberal democrat like me 😉
I am also sharing a video my 15 year old son & classmate made called “22”
Watch “22” on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/112327932
Thank so much for sharing that. Very powerful. I am going to publish on my blog if he is OK with it. Thanks again!
Thank you for sharing this. It has more impact than coming from a liberal democrat like me 😉
I’m sharing a video my 15 yr old son & classmate made called “22”
Watch “22” on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/112327932
Just above this article on facebook was the announcement that Sarah Palin’s son had never been near combat. President Obama has done more for soldiers and their families than any President before him. Thank you for your service, Chris…and thanks too, to all the Louie’s of the world who served, returned, lived, without anyone ever saying thank you.
Great letter. Well written, factual and powerful. Thank you for lending a voice to this and for all your service to the Country.
Thank you for your service and your well written letter.
The Mother of a Marine Veteran.
Thank you for your service, but You are no Republican!! Might be wrong the way she used PTSD, but when you say Palin fade away that says you are an Bernie socialist democrat!!
Seriously? This is, in my mind, the problem with our country today. Most Americans are, in fact, moderates. We employ satis(f)ficing (f key is messing up) when we vote. The fact I do not like Sarah Palin does not in any way make me a socialist or democrat. I think Sarah Palin is bad for the Republican party. I am surprised you did not use the old RINO label on me.
Chris, I hope you get more airtime to share the content of your letter, and your reply to the comment above. Few things have harmed the Republican brand more than the current wave of anti-science/facts, anti-social (against immigrants, Muslims, poor people, etc.) and the “take no personal responsibility” rhetoric we see going unchallenged.
I appreciate your military service and your continued service in the form of your open letter for many reasons: I’m the daughter of a Marine, I think commitment to country should come before political affiliations, and I work in the preparedness realm of emergency management. Serving the safety and readiness needs of people with PTSD is fraught with MANY challenges — not the least of which is that it is so painfully misunderstood.
So far, the link to this post has been shared 84 from my Facebook page, and I’ll continue to share it. Hat tip to you for also actively engaging in these comments. It takes a level of real commitment to address some of these comments as you have.
Thank you!
What a lovely way to address ignorance Mr. Mark. I thank you for taking the time to write this letter and set Mrs. Palin straight (not that she will take it heart) on a very serious, often debilitating disorder. I’m so frustrated with how our U.S. hero’s do not get the help they need from or government. I do believe it’s time that the people of this country take our country away from the full control of the government and remind them that they work for us, not the way it had been. We work hard so the government/congress gets richer and the people get poorer.
I wish you well Mr. Mark
Sincerely,
Andrea Davis
Thank you!
Well said, SIR! We need more individuals with your conviction and courage to stand up and tell the truth! Thank you.
Thank you!
Respectfully, as a physician, without knowing this young man, it is irresponsible for anyone to make a judgment call as to whether or not his behavior was or was not related to his PTSD. It may very well be that it was. In fact, irritability/angry outbursts is a recognized manifestation of altered reactivity and is one of the necessary criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, according to the DSM-5 (the guidelines psychiatrists use for making diagnoses). I never make clinical conclusions on patients I don’t know, but it is very likely that this is PTSD-related. It is true that Gov. Palin has a public audience and therefore must choose her words carefully. However, it is not “inaccurate” to state that some (by no means all) PTSD patients suffer from angry outbursts as part of their illness. Whether or not that leads to discrimination depends on how much a person is willing to educate themselves.
Thank you for your comment. I agree with you. No one knows all that happens in a family. What doctors may diagnose does not always agree also. Your opinion is well noted.
Well said PWB!
Wonder what she blamed his teenage behavior of cutting brake lines on school buses Doctor.
They may exptess anger but do not become violent. He became angry because his wife was cheating on him. Track never was in a battle at all
Thank you for your service, and for your letter, Chris. As a mom of a twice-over combat veteran, I have seen the direct effects of PTSD. My son commands a unit with many soldiers who are dealing with this, and he is rather the activist for them. It made me sick that Ms. Palin would use this both to excuse her son’s actions and for her own political gotcha. Your letter was respectful, thoughtful, and well-informed, and I applaud you.
I am not defending anyone here, but none of you know that young man or what he’s seen or been thru. PTSD maybe, along with alcohol, bad combination I’m sure.
Let’s here about the skeletons in yours or your families closet so the rest of us can smear you and your families name all over the media. Unless you were there to witness her and her families problems, just shut up.
And if your getting your info on what Sarah Palin said from some news source as opposed to actually listening to her speech, then I suggest you find the video of her speech and listen to it rather than what someone else interpreted what she said.
I’d like to see proof that you all actually can walk on water.
I listened to it. Here is what we do know (as I put in my post) 1) they had a ‘family brawl’ where SP was gloating over the violence of her family 2) Track Palin “punched a woman in the face”. You are absolutely defending him when you tell people to “shut up”. If Sarah Palin had not willingly put her ignorant comments in the media, I would not have commented. She chose to make them public. She is a public person (under the law). These are not ‘skeletons in closets’ these are public facts. Please work on your reading comprehension before you tell my readers to ‘shut up’.
Some day, in some faraway place, your service to your fellow citizens will be rewarded more than you could ever imagine.
This world is flawed and conflicted and imperfect and often unjust.
The next one is not.
Thank you from someone who will never understand what you endured.
Thank you!
What we DO know is that he DID NOT see COMBAT,and his mommy LIED about that, spittingon all who DID, who do truly suffer from.PTSD. Her twisted son was NOT diagnosed with PTSD when he cut the breaks on a SCHOOL BUS in 2007 and an AK Judge gave him the chouce of Military or Jail…so he choses Military…in 2007…before Obama was elected. His mommy LIED…twice…using an ugly, horrific condition that our extraordinarily BRAVE Men and Womrn who DO see and experience things that the rest of us will never have to, Thanks to them, the selfless and brave. So, I feel very comfortable passing judgement on Dipwad Sarah and her piece of crap son.
And the world is welcome to look under my bed in my closets ANY TIME. My parents did NOT raise breathing turds.
Historians may one day honor Sarah Palin as the Dunce of the Century.
Thank You Mark. I shared your letter on FB, along with my own comment, concerning the lack of available Effective and AFFORDABLE help for those suffering from PTSD;
I was unable to attend my own grandfather’s funeral, due to, already having; a Brother, twin sister, and my Mother, previously buried at that same cemetary. I have PTSD. Financially, the cost has been far greater than an Ivy League education; Emotionally…SH*T…
Attempting to explain this to my Stepmother; Who is actually an RN, working at the V.A.;
….My stepmother screaming,”Well YOU SHOULD GET SOME HELP THEN!”, as she attempts to push me into the wall. “AT THE VA WE SUCCESSFULLY CURE VETS EVERYDAY!…So tired of Your PTSD BULLSH*T”!…
At that time, 2011(?), we were losing 22 vets a day to suicide. “Successfully”?…
Humanity deserves better than “Reality Deniers”.
Thank you for your letter and your service, Chris Mark. It is like a breath of fresh air amid the political blather that currently surrounds us all. Best wishes for you and your fellow veterans.
Well written Chris and this disabled Combat Vet whole heartedly has your 6 and concurs with your letter. Allons. SSG Retired Eric Cooper
Thank you!!
Thank you, Chris. Vets in southern NM and West Texas can connect with the Veterans Theater Project in Las Cruces.http://veteranstheater.com
Onward!
Thank you Mike!…We have some brothers in those areas. I am going to pass this on to some Recon and Sniper groups.
Reblogged this on dcgadfly and commented:
His honesty and directness takes my breath away. Thanks to John McCain and Bernie Sanders for working so very hard to care for and respect the veterans.
Sir, you will ALWAYS be a Marine & Naval Officer! I will forever be grateful to you for your courage and sacrifice because I know it has come at a high price! You and your fellow soldiers continue to blanket my family, friends and me with safety, peace and security. I wish you all of the universe’s blessing and love! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thank you, Chris, for an intelligent, well composed letter. You make me feel there may still be hope for our humanity.
Unfortunately, Palin will most likely never get a chance to help vets. I can’t imagine any nonprofit; with an ounce of integrity, wanting to associate themselves with her.
Thank you Chris and Semper Fi!
Mahalo, Chris Mark! I concur with every word of your letter, and am so grateful to you for writing it. Well done, son.
Well said!!
Nicely and graciously stated! There is little I find admirable about what Sarah Palin says or has to offer our country. I will continue to support Democrats, like our President, who do care about veteran issues and have fought to eliminate veteran homelessness through the First Lady’s Mayor’s Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness and fought the Republicans to increase benefits as well as the active pay of our military men and women. I am thrilled about Obama passing the directive leaving NO PAWS BEHIND! It is a Godsend that our k-9 veterans will be able to come home now and are not left behind to suffer horrific fates as they have been in the past. It is equally cool that their human partners will have the first option to adopt them! I was shocked that Palin dressed down Obama for negotiating the release of our sailors after they strayed off course too. She is an opportunistic politician who clearly does not care about our military men as individuals or she would have been grateful our sailors came home to their families unharmed like the rest of the country is. Thank you for your thoughtful commentary.
Chris – you did a wonderful job in your letter. Mrs. Palin has excuses for all of her family’s behavior. Thank you for composing this letter.
An eloquent response to an ignorant statement. God bless you, Chris and thank you for your service
Once a Marine always a Marine never former. Thank you for your service.
Amen! Thank you for your service! God bless.
Thank you, Sir, for your eloquent and heartfelt letter. I believe that it is both our right and our responsibility to research and to question those who would represent us, regardless of political party. I am a Democrat, and I would not hesitate to be intensely critical of another Democrat. Of course I agree with you about the Sarah Palins of the world; more than that, though, I respect you for doing the research and bringing your informed criticisms to light.
Wonderfully written with professionalism and etiquette. Thank you for your selfless service and speaking out for men and woman in arms. Thank you
Re: Sarah Palin devoting energy to Foundations-I fully support the idea of Palin donating herself as a Volunteer Shooting Target,with live Armor-Piercing rounds,at a 100-yard distance,dressed in “Dayglo Hunter’s Orange”…so as to further camouflage Palin from the Snipers.Two to the head wins-body shots do not count.May I also nominate Trump and Hillary for the same shooting exercise .????
I appreciated your reply in general but it’s the topic of PTSD that interests me. Your statistic of 22 suicides per day is from the VA assessment. Even the VA thinks that number is understated.
I volunteer at a small neurotherapy clinic in Bethesda, MD where the therapists are having great success treating PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Their success rate is near 70%. The treatment is pain-free, drug-free and patients do not have to talk about their experiences.
We try to cover the costs for veterans with donated funds in our 501(c)3. We don’t always have deep pockets but we do all we can. If you are interested, check us out: http://www.helphealptsd.org. There are some great videos under the “success stories” tab.
It’s frustrating to know there are so many vets and active duty personnel who need help. We wish we could help them all.
Thank you for your service bud.
Thank you for your service to our country, Sir. Then and now.
While I agree with this entire letter, I must also say it will be of little use to the Sarah Palin.
I don’t think she know’s how to read.