Major A.J. Tong lost the lower part of one leg to a roadside bomb in Iraq. Last Sunday, he participated in his second Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. on his prosthetic and normal limb. [Tacoma News Tribune]

An interesting, if a bit dry, medical article.

"Researchers from the VA Connecticut Healthcare System and the Yale University School of Medicine found women Veterans had a lower prevalence of pain than male counterparts returning from the conflicts."

[Science Dailey]

Quite a sad story and hopefully Andrew Ward will be able to get some help.

A veteran of two tours in Iraq, Ward "snapped" according to family members, went to his sister's house  looking for a fight, and ended up in a shoot out with police.

He was also seeking disability benefits and help from the V.A. for his PTSD. One of the saddest notes - his older brother who was a Marine in Iraq during the invasion - committed suicide in 2003. [Star Press, Muncie Indiana]

The pain felt by wives, husbands and parents are known quanitities in the deaths of soldiers, but the mourning of siblings is not often addressed.

"Culturally in the United States, the death of a sibling isn't considered as significant as losing a child or spouse, and there are few resources available on adult sibling loss, said Darcie Sims, a psychologist who is helping with the recent retreat."

However, TAPS and other non-profits as well as online groups provide a place to help those who have lost part of their family. [AP via the Island Packet]

The new hospital at Fort Benning will be built by the same builders who did Yankee Stadium, the Kansas Speedway and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  [Columbus Ledger-Enquirer]