Health

Army Staff Sergeant raising PTSD awareness honored at Borough Hall

June 30, 2014 By Matthew Taub Special to Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn Brief
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U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, Medal of Honor recipient, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) advocate Ty Michael Carter was honored by Borough President Eric Adams friday morning at Borough Hall. Sgt. Carter is one of three recipients, in any branch of service still on active duty as of 2014, of America’s highest military honor. He was awarded for his actions in the 2009 Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan.

At borough hall, Borough President Eric L. Adams proclaimed friday “Staff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter Welcome to Brooklyn Day.” The proclamation ceremony took place in the courtroom at Brooklyn Borough Hall and featured statements by Ed Schloeman, co-chair of Operation Warrior Wellness, an organization dedicated to treating post-traumatic stress among veterans through transcendental meditation, in addition to Staff Sergeant Carter and Borough President Adams.

“We don’t honor you, you honor us,” said Borough President Adams to Staff Sergeant Carter. “We thank you for your courageous act that took place in Afghanistan. The memories of what you have done are what we are proud of.”

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During the event, Borough President Adams reminded the audience that he had served as the chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee during his tenure as a state senator, where pushed for expanding benefits and vocational opportunities to returning veterans. “We must do more to ensure that the men and women coming home receive the necessary support and guidance they deserve,” said Borough President Adams.

The ceremony was a part of a national tour by Staff Sergeant Carter to promote awareness of the causes of post-traumatic stress and remove the stigmatization for returning members of the military and their association with post-traumatic stress. “People don’t understand that PTS is more common than anybody can ever believe. The most common form of post-traumatic stress is a car accident. It’s not a combat thing, it’s a person thing,” said Staff Sergeant Carter. “It’s an instinctive reflexive response by your body and mind to recall a traumatic event so that you can avoid repeating it.”

The employable skills of returning veterans served as a recurring theme throughout the event, with both Borough President Adams and Staff Sergeant Carter noting that the disciplined and team and goal-oriented atmosphere of the military translates well in a more corporate environment; they also remarked that removing the fear of veterans acting out from post-traumatic stress will be paramount to tapping into their abilities to continue serving their community.

“Brooklyn has always been on the forefront of thanking military veterans,” said Mr. Schloeman. “The Brooklyn Borough President is one of the biggest spokespeople for giving what we need to give back to those suffering from the hidden wounds of war.”

The proclamation ceremony also featured a flag presentation by the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard and a performance of the national anthem by Brooklynite Daniel Rodriguez, also known as “America’s Tenor” and “The Singing Policeman” following the attention he received performing in the aftermath of 9/11. Former FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano was among those in attendance for the event.


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