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41st IBCT Patched ACH of Spc Lookabill - The Cost Of War


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This is a patched ACH from the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon National Guard. It was worn by Spc. Nikkolas Lookabill during his deployment to Iraq in 2009. He was a cavalry scout in Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment (Motorized).

 

A very nice used example, however like most helmets, if information on its owner is found, a much more important story of the true cost of war is often revealed.

 

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mondo_fondo

I just did a little research on the owner. He was killed in Vancouver in a shooting by the police when he refused to drop his weapon.he had PTSD from Iraq. This was in 2010.

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Interior showing heavy use. He has marked the underside of his helmet cover in red felt pen which has bled through and reads backwards on the cover exterior

 

B/182

LOOKABILL

3691

 

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While the Veterans Administration has done wonders for thousands of wounded veterans over the years there have been issues raised in the past, as well as present, by many. In late 2010 there were many military and civilian articles written about soldiers returning from deployments assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord who were suffering from the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

 

Since 2005 the military has had an ever increasing rise in suicides and crimes by vets suffering from PTSD issues. Many in the National Guard/Reserve forces that have been activated have expressed concerns that once returning from deployment, the VA has tried to have them see their own private doctors for issues that they feel are duty related while activated.

 

Nikkolas Lookabill was one of those suffering from PTSD issues upon returning from Iraq and had been seen by the VA. On September 7, 2010 he armed himself with a hand gun and was confronted by police while walking the streets of his hometown Vancouver Washington. Refusing to put down the firearm and challenging the officers who were in fear of their lives, they opened fire. His death was very controversial locally, and was the final incident that generated all the media attention to those assigned to JBLM. He was 22 years old.

 

Stars & Stripes article dated September 17, 2010 which mentions his passing.

 

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Helmets continue to be made stronger for protecting their owners from the physical wounds of war, however none have been able to be produced as of yet to help protect them from the mental wounds suffered by many of those involved in combat.

 

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What a tragic end to such a young life. Thanks for sharing the helmet and thanks for sharing Specialist Lookabill's story.

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Excellent piece with a tragic story.

 

 

Watching the Congressional hearings on the VA, the IAVA rep said that 22 Vets (I believe he specifically meant OEF/OIF) commit suicide every day. Doing the math dating back to the start of the conflict that's over 80,000 deaths.

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Brings home the fact that the things we collect belonged to real people. Thanks for sharing Bill, it's interesting to see a 41st ID patched helmet.

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