Denise Rosch reporting
A local soldier is dealing with the news that one of his friends was wounded in the Fort Hood massacre. Incredibly, he says the shooting isn't that surprising.
In fact, Staff Sergeant Ron Portillo says Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a huge problem the military has failed to address.
And now, it's the topic of his newly released documentary.
It begins as a home video showing the other life of Staff Sergeant Ron Portillo. The video was taken in Iraq before a roadside bomb left him with a traumatic brain injury, an attack that killed three of his fellow soldiers.
"I guess the old saying is when a bomb hits you and you don't hear it, it's your time. And what happens - it's very true - you don't hear the bomb when it hits you at all. It's just black."
But two years later, Portillo says it's his current life he's dealing with, chock full of nightmares and post-traumatic stress. It's a story he's sharing in the documentary "Who Will Stand," with footage compiled by Director Phil Valentine and Cinematographer Mike Bedik.
Bedik: It's an awareness piece. We just thought it was an important story that needed to be told and it's not something that's going to go away.
Valentine: Once they finish their tour of duty there's nothing that helps them integrate back into society. And they're hurting.
"They" are combat soldiers interviewed by the Las Vegas filmmakers about the difficulties of coming home. For Portillo, there is anger; a military psychiatrist once told him his stress was all in his head.
"I have friends who have been in and out of jail; I have other friends that keep volunteering to go to Iraq because they can not survive out here."
And now, there is the shooting at Fort Hood, where Portillo learned yet another friend was among the injured.
Denise Rosch: What happened at Fort Hood is not surprising?
Portillo: Oh no, it's just a matter of time. It's not going to end.
And when it comes to post traumatic stress, the film makers wanted to know is it truly a bigger problem now than it was 60 years ago? War has always been war. That's when they interviewed a World War II vet who might have the answer.
Valentine: In World War II, when you were discharged you spent six weeks, eight weeks on a boat. Nothing to do but talk.
Now, it may be 72 hours from the front lines to their kitchen tables. And Portillo knows without real help post traumatic stress can kill.
"So far, the unit I was with, we call it the Alpha Company Curse because there have been eight deaths total. Four from the war and four from suicide. And one just a week-and-a-half ago.
If you'd like to see "Who Will Stand," there's a free screening this coming Wednesday. It's at The Cannery at 1:00 pm and then again at 4. Movie-goers can also decide if they want to give a donation afterwards to help homeless vets.
