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 for your service. And thank you for taking the time to make a statement. A much needed statement. PTSD is just one of the many sad consequences of war. It is reprehensible that anyone, but especially someone with the responsibility of “celebrity” status would use this term so flippantly. PTSD is a fairly “new” term, but those of us whose fathers fought in WWII, Korea or Vietnam are not strangers to the stories of men and women who were forever changed by the things they experienced. Like “Emily B” above, I hope that you and those like you would consider seeking public office. We need the clear thinking and communication skills that you have obviously honed. I know of no one who has had to make decisions – life changing ones – under more pressure than a veteran.
Every freedom I cherish is available to me because of you. Thank you. Please keep talking.
Thank you Mr. Mark,
That was a well said letter and thank you for all your services protecting this country, as you can see our sorry government don’t care or take the time to recognize our fallen Heros. Shame on our government. And God bless all our men and women who serve or served our country as well as for their families.
I am a Vietnam Vet and PTSD has been USED as an excuse for bad behavior ‘way too many times. I can attest that the condition is real, BUT, it’s NOT an excuse for either suicide or violence towards others.
I agree, but I think PTSD is also used as an excuse to collect an income for life when there is really nothing wrong with them , and them could be as high as 30%.
My soon to be ex-daughter-in-law has done this.
Dean Reynolds, until you understand PTSD and any other mental illness and brain trauma, please do not speak about it. I am certain that you personally do not know anyone closely related that suffers such illness/trauma. Our service personnel give their ultimate gift so you can express your narrow minded view here. If you or a loved one served, you would know better. Those veterans that succumb to suicide are not thinking about the “income,” they receive, all they want is to end their suffering. So much for that INCOME!!
PTSD as we all agree is a phenomenon which causes the sufferer to experience the traumatic event as if is occurring in the here and now. Suicide as a result of this cannot be judged by anyone who has not lived in that veteran’s boots. Knowing how difficult it is to get assistance from the VA or whether there are available resources close by are factors that have to be considered. Support of family? Friends? Spiritual? Whatever the reason someone decides to commit suicide is because the pain is so unbearable, that each moment is an eternity and you only see the black pitch that surrounds you. For you there is no hope, no help, only unending, excruciating pain. Take that into consideration when you think of judging someone for making another painful choice to leave this earth, feeling that every one will be better without you. Not being able to feel how much you are truly loved and will be missed. I wish them and you all peace and light.
Regina this was very well said!
A certified generals driver has ptsd, lmfao someone need apiss test
I told my husband the same thing about being a general’s driver down range as not in combat. My husband is neither Republican or Democrat but and is a military officer. He corrected me and said that when you are driving the general around you have to be tough and ready to fight as there is no telling what you are going to come across on the way to the destination. And yes, he said they are on constant guard and must be ready to shoot to protect the general. My husband was in one of those missions a while back and he was riding with a higher ranking officer when the car was ridden with bullets. The older officer was killed, my husband got spared, thank God.
Thank you for your thoughtful statements and insights into the subject of PTSD. As a Vietnam veteran I have grown sick of politicizing of this painful subject,done all too frequently by those who sent our comrades into battle.
Chris, you speak for more veterans than you know. Your remarks are articulate and right on target; just what we’d expect from a Marine. As a veteran, a former medic, and a former law enforcement officer, l can state that both PTSD and domestic violence are more complex than people know, and using one as cause for the other has no relevance. Both require professional attention, and in the case of the latter court action and possibly incarceration. Any politician who relates the actions of a domestic abuser exclusively with suffering from PTSD is an absolute fool. That fool is making a punchline out of the genuine human suffering of our veterans, and that severely taints any other political argument they might make.
Braco, Chris!
Beautifully written letter. Maybe, Mrs. Palin will apologize to all those service members impacted. What a shame. Again, thank you Chris.
Maybe.
I am a former Marine with service connected PTSD that has taken my life , my career and my family. Two failed suicide attempts and 8 years of fear, anxiety, doom and terror. Thanks for politicizing this issue even more. If this wasn’t meant to throw the political football for a touchdown then explain to me why you had to share this letter to the world? So far all you’ve done is throw more fuel to the political fire for both sides democrat and republican. All disabled veterans especially those who suffer from TBI and PTSD do not need to be thrown in any type of political shit storm because now your letter it’s all over social media. You are no different than Palin in this matter. If you want to make your voice heard I would suggest looking into how treatment for PTSD and TBI can be improved especially through the VA and keep politics out of such a debilitating injury.
So your rationale is that whenever a celebrity or politician makes an ignorant comment that harms people and the perception of people they should not be corrected publicly? There surely won’t be a private correction since celebrities are often surrounded by people who don’t correct them, and someone such as Chris would have been unlikely to get his letter into her hands and even if he had, it would be easily dismissed by her since her closest advisors will say it is an isolated complaint because there is no public outrage.
I think (which you will no doubt deny) that you simply support Trump and Palin and don’t like articulate and rational discourse that opposes them in any way.
Thank you so much for articulating what I felt as a 100% disabled veteran with a tracheotomy you where my voice. Thank you for your service and the service you continue to give.
Reblogged this on MyOwnCritic’s Blog and commented:
For the consideration of truth.
Reblogged this on soldier19985blog and commented:
From a 100% disable veteran with a tracheotomy…My Voice
Very thoughtful letter. I am afraid Sarah will not understand it as she is an idiot.
Your comments are welcome and appreciated. I have often been upset at how PTSD is portrayed in the media. My son is a victim although not due to combat, due to another form of trauma. However, I have to say thank you for your duty to our country.
In addition, I agree this is a despicable politization of the issue. And you’re right Pailin probably egged her own son on – which is so typical with DV. But in any case, let me just say that if you are going to make it political – let’s talk about the war itself and the fact that our leaders sent our soldiers in to find WMDs that just weren’t there, and that was not fair to our soldiers or their families. And PTSD is just another physical and emotional toll that they are paying for politicians’ stupidity and hunger for war.
Actually wrong. Our troops found over 4,000 WMD’s in Iraq during and after the resumption of hostilities in 2003. Read up on it, but you won’t find the truth on HuffPo.
Jason..I read Chis letter and I in No way considered anything he said as Political.. I’m sorry but maybe your PTSD and TBI is in some way interfering with your ability to appreciate how profound Chris letter had on a normal everyday citizen…it truly impacted my emotions and my understanding about how this very serious condition is being used as an excuse for bad behaviors by a political figure.. Also that I agree all the politicans should step up to the plate and support all our Vets especially if during a time of elections they are going to bring the issue up…simply “do it for the right reasons or shut up”!!
Eloquently stated, sir.
The reality is this: the world we live in is vastly different from what it was only a few years ago in terms of how we deal with issues like people being impaired and inappropriate, and the impact their behavior has on those around them.
How we react to it is also indicative of the world we’re going to pass on to our own children, and even though I don’t have any kids I like to think that one of the greatest lessons we can teach them is to balance a zero-strike mentality against inappropriate behavior with a sense of understanding and compassion.
I want our kids to know that they can have a measure of sympathy for those who act out due to addiction or external influences like PTSD but that they should never, ever tolerate any kind of inappropriate behavior that puts them at risk, no matter what form it takes.
We understand that PTSD and TBI are serious issues, but far too often they’re used as convenient labels for people to hide behind, or used as a free pass to continue the behavior, as the Palins think they can do freely and without consequence.
No. You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to act irresponsibly or in an impaired manner, and you don’t get to use PTSD or TBI to minimize your behavior or explain it away, and you don’t get to not get called out for doing that or not be made to stand up and face the consequences of your choices.
Not when scores of men and women grapple with these very real conditions daily and do so in an honorable manner.
We can understand if you have a problem with alcohol or drugs, and we can sympathize to an extent and even offer help, but you don’t get to get away with the behavior that accompanies your problem and expect to pass it off as PTSD or TBI as a convenient way of getting out of being accountable.
This is what the Palins have done, and it’s beyond offensive. It’s an obscenity. And it will not stand.
Agree with Jason H and Chris. Excellent points…..lets work on solutions. I can’t criticize a mom and her son, especially if I don’t know the exact real details. With that said, better plan is to get Sarah to champion with you guys time, effort and money behind PTSD solutions. Thank you so much for your service.
Very eloquent letter that speaks of your own character.
Thank you for your service and valiant effort to try and have Mrs. Palin’s efforts put to better use. Unfortunately her continued ignorance will certainly continue to serve her own causes rather than try to do the right things.
With sincere thanks for all you have given and may God be with you and your family.
I’m not sure we’re the Republican part is but you are so correct. You would probably make a better candidate than any of the Republican clowns.
I hate to believe that the 2nd Amendment is going to be the deciding reason on who is going to be president.
Anyway God bless you brother.
Beautifully written. Sarah Palin should and needs to keep her mouth shut. She is ridiculous. I was absolutely ashamed of her for that comment. (really, anything that comes out of her mouth) Thank you for putting this out there and Thank you Chris and all who serve and are still serving.
Amanda F.
Bravo Chris, you are correct.
It ll comes ou t in the wash eventually. Most of the time after someone has died and was well respected at the time of their liv in g days….
But no one should use any war disability as a political football. There is a fine line in making statements. that could be very painful….
Our grandson suffers from PTSD. Thank you for speaking up.
I really don’t know you, but I’m so proud of you. I hope your letter is read by all
Chris Mark, thank you for your service. Thank you for your post. You articulated what many of us readers felt and most importantly, your personal experience validates your opinion. PTSD should not employed as political fodder.
My partner is a veteran. She is an insult to humanity. She is a pendejo at best.
I’m with Amanda. What a silly woman Palin’s become: she’s now all about herself. Thank you for your service, your wise and tempered words, and links to organizations that help. Americans very much want to step up and serve our heroes out of thanks for their sacrifice. Sometimes we just don’t know where or how to start.
Thank you Mr. Mark for serving. Well said
Will someone tell that moron her 1 minutes are up and please sit down preferably somewhere very far away like another planet!
Thank you mark for your wise and educated words. I heard her “speech” on my way to work and fumed for the 45 minutes it took me to get. At that time I spewed in an email to the radio station I was listening to. The DJ’s read my email on the air.
In short I wrote about my son who is in the USMC. He did his stint in Afghanistan and shortly after he returned he was diagnosed with PTSD. He was planning on making a career in the military; but because of his diagnosis there is a possibility that he would have to change his MOS to stay. That is not an option for him.
For her to use this disorder as an excuse for poor child rearing is disgusting. I hope she reads your letter and preferably disappear; at the least shut her mouth about things she knows nothing about. Which is just about everything!
Thank you for your letter on behalf of all military who suffer from this horrible disorder. And thank you for you dedication and service.
An Open Letter to Sarah Palin,
re: Chris Mark, he does not speak for this Marine.
Sarah Palin,
I’m a combat Marine ( 91 ) served in Iraq, that has PTSD.
And I want to apologize for any veteran saying anything against you or your family , or what you & Track are going through.
There’s been a lot of falsehoods said about Track, his status as a Combat Veteran, and PTSD diagnosis, all of which are personal,
my real name is Frank Roberto, and I met you in Florida in 08 when you were running with Sen McCain.
All I have to say is , we know you love the troops, and your personal family life is personal;and the Media lloves to take pot shots at you and my misinformed Veteran brothers and sisters need to take a reality check and a dose of humbleness,
Once again.
My Apologies for any Veteran who has a bad word for you and yours.
You Rock, and Chris Mark does not speak for all or any Marines but himself,
Frank Roberto
89-92 USMC, CPL of Marines,
Combat Veteran of Iraq
I think I was very clear when I said I dot speak for all Marines. On that note, why do you propose to “apologize” for any veteran who speaks out against Sarah Palin? Do you propose to speak for anyone but yourself? I am quite certain that I am not ‘misinformed’ unless by ‘misinformed’ you mean I am not someone who blindly follows an ideology without any willingness to criticize. On that note: “What you and TRACK are going through”. Track (if you believe the reports) punched a woman in the face. Your silence on this point is deafening. Blindly following is a fool’s game and the path of the intellectually lazy.
I think I was very clear when I said I dot speak for all Marines. On that note, why do you propose to “apologize” for any veteran who speaks out against Sarah Palin? Do you propose to speak for anyone but yourself? I am quite certain that I am not ‘misinformed’ unless by ‘misinformed’ you mean I am not someone who blindly follows an ideology without any willingness to criticize. On that note: “What you and TRACK are going through”. Track (if you believe the reports) punched a woman in the face. Your silence on this point is deafening. You are a no doubt a proud Palin myrmidon.
Frank Roberto , How in the hell could you have been in combat in Iraq in 89 because we did not go to Iraq till 02 we went to Kuwait in 91. Korea 50 till 53.Pilot 55 Fighter Wing S.A.C.
So unfortunate Mrs. palin used the disfunction in her family as an excuse to blamed the President and PTSD. She quit the governorship to spend time with her family, but from the look of things, the family is running butt wild in Wasala, Alaska. I feel very sad for Todd Palin. Poor man. I am still waiting for her to blame the President for her daughter two kids out of wedlock. Family value at it’s best!
Dear Chris , please consider running for office. I am terrified these bafoons will actually make it into office. Connie
I am as well!. I was wondering if we could have a term with ‘no’ president? 😉
Good letter, I am not an American citizen but worry that US politicians see themselves as rulers of the free world and not leaders of it. I have travelled many times to the States ( I am the son of a WW2 GI) and whenever I have been in company and politics enters the conversation I keep quite over there because I don’t want to offend anyone, As a foreigner I have found that Bill Clinton got bashed because of his exploits but how many of you realise how we hold him in esteem as a peacemaker which I think is more important. I somehow don’t see Mr Trump in this light, or Mrs Palin who may appeal to some jingoistic voters but not great international leaders. Have you heard of Help the Heros here in the UK and do you have anything similar. Just recently a TV show host from a DIY programme got a lot of volunteers together and converted a whole city street with unused houses into homes for homeless Veterans with medical and community centre, the people who live in the street are very pleased that the houses are being utilised and the new neighbours make the area safer.
I agree with every word you wrote! I am not a veteran but i have ptsd due to abuse when i was a child and i have friends who have ptsd too. Ptsd is not an excuse to use when you beat your significant other! I chose to seek treatment and am better on most days! I also wish Sara Palin would fade away! My hope is that ALL people with PTSD get treatment! Thank you for your service!
Palin’s brat has no CIB, Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Therefore he never saw combat. He’s just poor white trash like the rest of his family. Tired of people like her politicizing us veterans for their gain.
There are other military jobs besides infantryman that are involved in combat, Mike. Tankers can’t wear a CIB either–nor can artillerymen, those who work in the motor pool or those in MI or who service and fly helicopters, but ALL of them can be involved in combat from time to time–some more often than others.
The Endeavor Fund in the U.K. is one I would donate to.
How sad that Henry Worsley collapsed 30 miles before he reached the end of his journey! He had begun his solo journey 71 days before. The 55 year old army officer was doing this as a fund raiser which had already grossed over 100,000 pounds for the Endeavour Fund which supports injured service men and women.
http://thelogicalindian.com/news/british-army-veteran-dies-while-trying-to-cross-the-antarctic/
Very well said. I have a daughter with PTSD and I couldn’t have said this better. Healing to all.
[…] was fortunate to have Brooke Baldwin and CNN contact me about the Open Letter to Sarah Palin I wrote. Click here for the Interview. While it was a short interview I was able to convey some […]
Thsnk you Chris for your dedicated service!
Thank you for your insight and knowledge on military personnel who suffer from PTSD! I dislike those who use violence and excuses on others without directing help and aid for those who suffer from PTSD!
What a well composed, truthful, and thought filled letter! I agree 100%! Mrs. Palin continually shows only ignorance every time she opens her mouth.
God Bless you Mr. Mark and thank you for your service!
Nona Green, RN
Proud VA Psychiatric Nurse
Thank you for your service!
With so much more gratitude than can be expressed in mere words here, Thank You Sir!
We lost my brother to PTSD in 2011. If Sarah Palin wants to use
PTSD as an excuse for her son’s deplorable behavior, this must mean that she is somewhat aware of the magnitude our Vets are suffering. She should be challenged publicly, via social media, to raise as much money as she could possibly raise for our Vets,for her all to casual explanation.
Well said, sir!!
Well written Chris.
Thank you Chris for your comments on PTSD. Sadly our vets need help and no one is listening to them. I’m from the Vietnam era and a lot of my friends had it. Sadly a lot of them committed suicide. This was a great enlightening story for all to read. I hope it gets the attention of someone in the government that cares enough to help. God bless you and all our vets with this trauma. Your right about the no violence part for sure, most just fade into a recluse state and then they commit suicide. A dark mark on the VA for sure. When will they wake up and realize these people need help
Kudos Chris. Beautiful piece.
Track Palin? Any mother calling their son that gets everything they deserve!
PTSD as we all agree is a phenomenon which causes the sufferer to experience the traumatic event as if is occurring in the here and now. Suicide as a result of this cannot be judged by anyone who has not lived in that veteran’s boots. Knowing how difficult it is to get assistance from the VA or whether there are available resources close by are factors that have to be considered. Support of family? Friends? Spiritual? Whatever the reason someone decides to commit suicide is because the pain is so unbearable, that each moment is an eternity and you only see the black pitch that surrounds you. For you there is no hope, no help, only unending, excruciating pain. Take that into consideration when you think of judging someone for making another painful choice to leave this earth, feeling that every one will be better without you. Not being able to feel how much you are truly loved and will be missed. I wish them and you all peace and light.
Another thought. The military indoctrinates its enlisted personnel for combat but does not deprogram them upon return home. Why not?
Bravo! A well-reasoned, calm, and impressive rebuttal to a shrill shill.
I just want to say Thank you very much for what you said. I have always lived by the truth. Why tell lies like she did for excuse. I wish a lot of people would do what you do is be honest and have a backbone to do what is right. Not stand in a crowd and agree.You went to the source. You are wonderful man.