A colleague and friend of mine is suffering a relapse of Post Traumatic Stress Disease, or PTSD, that is severe enough to force him into possible retirement. He was an Army “grunt” machine gunner during Vietnam who by his 19th birthday had completed two tours “in-country” and been in 37 battles, skirmishes, firefights, or ambushes. Aside from a couple of slight wounds, he came back unscathed. Or so he thought until about six years ago when he suddenly began manifesting symptoms.

A forensic psychologist at the Veteran’s Administration says this is not unusual. As we age, the physical and emotional resiliency that kept all the stress and horrors at bay begins to break down. Pretty soon all those skeletons safely stuffed in mental and emotional closets begin finding ways to break out and haunt their host.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 15.2% of male and 8.5% of female Vietnam theater veterans met the criteria for PTSD. Those with high levels of war-zone exposure, direct combat experience, had significantly higher rates: 35.8% of men and 17.5% of women. Overall, approximately 830,000 male and female Vietnam theater veterans (26%) have symptoms and related functional impairment associated with PTSD. Similar percentages of veterans, men and women, coming back from multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering from this silent injury.

So today, as we honor those who have given or dedicated their lives to the ultimate service mission, that of service to their country, remember that their injuries may not always be apparent to the naked eye. In the words of Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address, their “last full measure” may be yet to come.

Thank you, fellow veterans.