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 
could have not said it better….Palin should stay OUT of things she knows nothing about…unless it is s brawl !!!
Thank you. I’ve taught many returned soldiers — men and women — and most of them enlisted for the chance to go to college after they got out. None of them expected to be such completely different people afterward. I won’t detail their myriad problems, but I taught a young woman for whom a simple quiz was such a terrifying prospect that she got sick migraines. I taught a man who was so afraid to write an essay for fear it would not be good, that to do it he had to share my desk with me to write anything. I taught another young man who was sure that all his professors were out to get him; his paranoia was so profound he could barely function. All of these were combat veterans. The woman had been near the front on the supply lines. The first man had been a sniper. The second had the job of checking for mines and other explosive traps. That’s three of probably thirty young people I taught whose lives and souls had been damaged. Sarah Palin is a media wh*&^ who, unfortunately, is taken seriously by far too many people. I hope your letter is shared everywhere.
Thanks Chris. Your letter was spot on. Blessings to you and yours
BodyTalk therapy is effective in helping with PTSD.
http://www.bodytalksystem.com/practitioners/
[…] is the open letter in its […]
Beautifully written Chris an thank you for your service.
yes great letter most people do not understand PTSD and cannot unless you have it
Reblogged this on 61chrissterry.
Thank you…..for so many things.
I am completely in agreement. The Palin Family History of abuse, in multiple forms, illegitimate children, outlandish living as a result of undo fame and fortune for the wrong reasons, is history. Her being in denial that she might have used better judgement in raising, teaching, and/or training her children to become responsible adults is more the case than Track having PTSD. If it IS, in fact PTSD, it’s from being raised in her household, not from what happened in the military where he could have had a “fighting chance” of being a responsible, sane man.
Thank you for your service!!
I agree Beautifully written and right on!!!! Chris your service is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your service, Sir.
Thank you so much for your service to keep me living the life of freedom. Your letter should be a wake up call to Ms Palin, but don’t hold your breath, she is beyond the scope of ignorance.
Your letter was exquisitely written and right to the point.
Again, thank you for your service, you and all soldiers deserve much better than you are getting.
Kitty
You can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig!!!!!
Thank you for your service first off and being a Vietnam vet I understand the fight our young people go through very well written and spot on if only people can see what war does to our young people if only people would stop and listen to them the fight is real for them
I agree but don’t stereotype combat PTSD as only affecting young people. Combat PTSD does not discriminate. There were many soldiers, seamen, marines, airmen, and coasties that have fought in combat and are suffering from combat PTSD.
The comments on this page seems to be more Political than about PTSB..People Hate Sarah Palin so much it amazes me. WHY? Are you so threatened by Her that you stoop to calling her and her family names.. Get a life Folks…
Is that what you read from my post? it is PTSD not PTSB…I am certainly not threatened by Her(emphasis added).
Clearly you did not even read the man’s message let alone attempt to comprehend it. He clearly articulated his position and reasons for it. It is your defense of her which abundantly shows your own cognitive challenges, not ours.
Be gone useless Troll.
awsome response 😉
Mable Morgan, you really should not comment on a subject you know nothing about. I have and had 2 brothers that were in the Vietnam War. One could never get over it and died. The other is getting help. I could never imagine seeing the things they saw.
You are an ignorant person Mable Morgan If you don’t understand that Palin is just as much of an embarrassment to our wonderful country as that idiot/moron/ buffoon Adolf Trump.
You and you kind are going to be the down fall of our country.
By the way I think you must be cut from the same cloth as the Palin family just by your ignorant comments.
Aman she is a ignoramus nothing more nothing less you are right her and her kind is going be the downfall of this country bottom line
Because she comes at others like they are the bad people causing problems. She doesn’t acknowledge her bad children and screwed up parenting. Of she’s going to put her son’s behavior on the president come up with a legitimate reason. She has none. Her boy never saw combat. He’s just an abuser.
People dislike her because she influences a vast swath of the American voters despite the fact she only cares about herself. People dislike her because she may very well be one of the most ignorant people to ever run for office. People dislike her because she holds a high priority on violence over compassion. People dislike her because when ignorant people have power, they perpetuate ignorance, and in her case, the ever-widening gap between parties. When an ignorant, self-absorbed, violent, mean girl bully has power, she can potentially threaten the sanity, the evolution, and the freedom of everyone with whom she comes in contact. The question is, Mable, why would you like such a person?
I’ll get a life if you do some research: it’s PTSD which stands for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you spent less time listening to Sarah Palin and more time paying attention to the veterans who have contributed to the freedom of this country, you may have known that already.
You’re the one that needs to get a life Ms Morgan, and include an education in it.
Why?? It’s not because I’m threatened by the former mayor of methville. The reasons are countless but let me tell you this, Alaska has some of the highest rates of DV, and murder of women with guns in the country so any person acting as a public official here, or anywhere, should NOT EXCUSE DV and the resulting PTSD of victims of DV. Alaska has always also has a large military presence and we do our best to provide services to our military. She is using a very serious condition to justify the complete failure of Alaska to protect women, children and men from assault. Why don;t you send one of your younger female family members to Anchorage for a year, alone and see how long it takes before she is stalked..
I would remind folks that it was the Republican Party which brought this woman to national prominence. She was the official Republican candidate for VP in 2008. I believe that the Republican Party has to answer for this. The unofficial Tea Party was also a strong supporter of this woman.
Thank you for your service. I agree that Mrs. Palin is trying to make this all about her. I thought Trump was smarter than to align himself with her…
Really? You thought he was above famous endorsements and flashy showmanship? Do you not know Trump? Making a scene is his thing. Smart is not the word I would use for him.
In my 17 years of military service I have never heard of a former marine; unless you were oth or dishonorably discharged.
Sgt. VMAQ-4 1996-2001
Msgt 749th AMXS 2003-present
You can see my DD214o online. I was discharged twice…both honorably. It is certainly easier to say ‘former’ than to explain to civilians that I am not on active duty when I simply say Marine. It is used as a convenience. Given that you are an active duty Msgt I would expect you to know that Marine is a proper noun and is capitalized. Semper Fi….
Right. It is awkward saying you’re a Marine yet. Former Marine is correct. Of course we are always Marines. Semper Fi. ’72-’74.
Semper Fi!
Isn’t she suppose to know this already being governor .
Mable Morgan, you really should not comment on a subject you know nothing about. I have and had 2 brothers that were in the Vietnam War. One could never get over it and died. The other is getting help. I could never imagine seeing the things they saw.
Trouble is, even if Gov. Palin has correctly identified PTSD in her son, it does not cause abusive behavior. If it causes a desire or impulse for abusive behavior in his instance, that is another matter. He still has to act on the impulse or desire, which his mother should have already taught him is simply and unequivocally wrong. Even if you want to hurt somebody, you just don’t do it. Ever.
My son a Marine,I’m sure now has PTSD
as he did serve in Desert Storm & etc.&,since then, I know, will never be the son I used to know.
Yes, PTSD is a very Serious Emotional
Disease. It does effect the whole Family of the effected Marine also, & especially
when the Ill Marine Denys that they are
sick & won’t get help.
As a Mom, I’m embarrassed for Sara Palin every time she opens her mouth, let alone for the crazy words she speaks.
Enough said.
Thanks for writing & publishing your Article Chris,…hopefully Palin sees it & takes it to her (soaring heart) !
Sincerely, Susan Wade
[…] wrote an open letter to Sarah Palin two days ago and it has since generated almost 400,000 views. While most of the comments have […]
Thank you sir I really appreciate your service
You expertly managed to capture raw, uncut & inexcusable words and actions of Ms. Palin, yet also succeeded in writing a fact-based, educational, informative & patriotic letter wherein u did not come across as bitter or angry. The “normal” amount of emotion needed to convey empathy towards our brave soldiers can b felt by the reader, while simultaneously portraying the blatant ignorance and judgemental biases surrounding the Palin family. You should b ashamed of yourself Ms. Palin, and may you never have to endure the pains and emotional distraught our brave veterans face each and every day, at home and overseas. GOD BLESS AMERICA! Thank you, veterans and soldiers for all you’ve done and continue to do.
Thank you very much for the kind words!
Thank you very much. All good things to you.
Thank you for your service, and for your letter. I sure hope she reads it.
Agree 100 percent. Thank you and all veterans for your service.
Good for you Chris. We all want to see our Vererins get the help they need, and we are fighting for your rights too. We need to keep sending letters to our Representatives. On a regular basis. Good luck.
Well stated Chris! As a member of the Armed Forces, who is currently serving – I thank you for your Service and commitment.
Thank you for your service and your views, hopefully they will not fall upon deaf ears.
Chris, thank you for writing this intelligent and well-informed open letter. To begin with, the public needs to know more about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Secondly, Palin needs to be called out for politicising this terrible disorder. Third, considering their behavior, and the facts you raised, one has to ask if the entire family has PTSD. My point: she’s full of it. Thanks again for your letter.
Thank you for your service, you hit the nail directly on the head!
Well done, Chris. Every time I read something from this woman it makes me want to go slap John McCain.
Thank you for being a strong voice of reason.
Sarah Palin is a complete idiot politicizing veterans what a cheap shot I’m a Vietnam veteran and I disapprove of her comments they are completely out rages and as far as Mr. Trump goes He’s also a disgrace to the veterans
Chris, thanks for your thoughts, and for your courage in going public with them. We need more human beings to speak up.
Clay, Regular Army, 1971-74.
Right on! May Sarah Palin fade away to focus on her trials as a poor example. And may her son find help.
Thank you for your service and I hope this brings to light PTSD and helps the many victims of this terrible disease. As for Sarah Palin, she is to ignorant to change.
Thank you for your service. I am Nurse Practitioner and understand what PTSD is and is not.
If Trak Palin is suffering from PTSD, then he should be busy getting treatment, not threatening a women with a gun.
Given his family history, I understand how PTSD effects depression and vice versa. Track Palin should have a plan in place to help him recover. If I was invoked with his case , I would recommend a short stay on a psych unit where a realistic plan of care can be developed.
People who pose a danger to themselves or others, should be 2 PC’ed to a psych hospital for evaluation and starting effective treatment.
Thank you for your service . I am the wife of a Vietnam veteran with ptsd and , I totally disagree with Sarah Palin .
1969-70
Thanks so much Chris Mark. I would also recommend Ms Palin take that automatic rifle away from her son under the influence of alcohol or drugs before we read more about his right to carry a gun even if he has PTSD. Shame on her for trying to use PTSD for the antics of her crazy son. She wants to blame someone, she only needs to look in a mirror.
Just to be clear I do not believe that PTSD is a reason to prohibit someone’s 2nd Amendment rights. the rif(le) was a semi-automatic but I do agree he does not need to have it under the inffluence. (my f key is broken)
Well said sir, and thank you for your service
Great write-up, but the real challenge is, if possible, ensuring that Sarah Palin actually reads the letter. We can congratulate the writer to high heavens for a job well done, and share the good feeling that the letter provokes. It’d be much more rewarding, however, to know that the message reaches how. I wonder if it’s possible to try to hand-deliver the letter to her.
We who have not served salute your heroism and sacrifice. Thank you, Chris.
When I saw Mrs. Palin on television with Donald Trump I was pained beyond belief as she spoke in defense of her son. It is my fervent prayer that her endorsement of Mr. Trump will be the kiss of death of his campaign and her place in the limelight. I would like to say thank you from my heart to yours for your valor in the line of duty and am so very sorry for the pain and suffering that PTSD brings to it’s victims. May you all be blessed and that at some point you will find peace.
Couldn’t agree more. She personally cost John McCain the Presidency of the United States, I hope she does the same thing for Trump.
Hallelujah brother you are so right she is a thorn in the Republican side why would she want to Divide the country I am African-American and I have whites in my family and I do not regret it people are people regardless of their race
Sir, I have the honor to address you as the Marine you are. Your response was well researched, well thought out and clearly delivered. You are an honor to the service, to the body of American Veterans and to our Country. Thank you for your response and your service.
A former E-5 sailor 1960-1964
Thank you very much for the kind words!
First–Thank you for your service. Second–Unfortunately Sarah won’t read this. It has too many words and syllables for her to comprehend. Again THANKS for your service.
Chris,
Very well said in a voice of calm and concern. I have had several veterans come though my EMT class and they were dealing with their issues with the same inner strength that you show through your writing. PTSD is real but it’s not a blanket term, nor a convenient cover to just throw over ANY kind of aberrant behavior. Perhaps Mrs. Palin should stop trying to steer other’s thinking until she has recalibrated her own moral compass.
Thank you for your commitment and your duty.
Chris Mark, very well said for a majority of us Amercians. PTSD combat related or not is a very serious disability. I very much doubt Mr. Palins actions were/are a result of combat PTSD, just doesn’t fit the symptoms or effects. He is just a poorly raised child who was never taught right from wrong. Just like his sister Bristol (“Ill never have out of wedlock sex again”)!? Semper Fi Mr. Mark.