Street Renaming for Brookhaven Hero

By Lily Stolzberg

I first heard of Army Veteran Joseph Dwyer when I saw a photo of him on the cover of the newspaper. The Mount Sinai native was holding a wounded Iraqi child. It was an image that became a symbol of the war. Now it's an image that reminds people, especially his family, of the terrible effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.

Dwyer suffered from the mental disorder after returning home from Iraq. His battle came to an end when he accidentally overdosed as a result of PTSD. Today the Town of Brookhaven renamed Pipe Stave Hollow Road in Mount Sinai in honor of Dwyer, who was the father of a beautiful little girl named Meghan.

Doctor's say PTSD didn't become an official diagnosis until 1980. Before that it was known as Shell Shock. But regardless of what it's called, it's a very real, debilitating disorder. There are so many different symptoms including persistent frightening thoughts, sleeplessness, and flashbacks to traumatic events.

At today's ceremony I met a Veteran who served 10 months in Vietnam. Larry Noon says in the 40 years since he served, he has battled with alcohol and drug addiction. He has been clean for 20 years but he says he never tackled the root of the problem. He recently completed a 90 day PTSD program at the Northport Veteran Affairs Hospital. He says he is so grateful for the help he received, 

Officials at the VA hospital say since the beginning of the Iraq war they have treated as many as 360 Veterans suffering from PTSD. That doesn't even count the World War Two or Vietnam Vets that walk through their doors. They tell me they want to help even more people who may be suffering from this disorder.  If you are a Veteran who served in Iraq or Afghanistan or know of someone who is and may need help, you can call The VA hospital at 1-800-444-0005. If you are a Veteran of any other war, call (631) 261-4400.

I hope as you pass Joseph Dwyer's street, you remember our Veterans, the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.