Packing Inferno: The Unmaking of a Marine

We are writing this to try to set the record straight for some who found the suicide statistics troublesome and accused the author of exaggerating the suicide issue. First and foremost, the author, Tyler Boudreau, regretfully did not exaggerate the suicide statistics. We were part of the CBS program which announced these statistics to the nation on the CBS Evening News. These statistics are incomplete due to the fact that these represent the numbers from only forty five states - not from all fifty states.... a fact which appears to be historically overlooked over the past thirteen months since their release. These statisics reflect this phenonmenon impacting all veterans ... those returning from these two conflicts as well as those who have been at home trying to deal with their own demons whose situations have been compounded by the realities of these present conflicts. We sadly listen to some attacking the statistics and their possible methodology yet is this why these studies were done? Of course not! These studies were done so that the government, the Department of Veteran Affairs and this nation would finally recognize this horrible issue and hidden scandal of these conflicts and to begin to effectively address it ... which has yet to be done. If these figures are truly troubling and appear to be taxing the very limits of credibility, then it is as it should be but now is not the time to argue, spend energies and resources over how this information was gathered. We need to devote all the energies in trying to confront these numbers not as numbers but as lives - lives of our heroes, wounded warriors and loved ones. To those who do question and argue, ask yourselves this one question - will anyone ever really know the true numbers of these unknowns, uncounteds and unacknowledgeds? The Department of Veterans Affairs reported before Congress that they weren't even bothering to try to keep any statistics on suicides. This was in late 2007. That says enough for the " leadership " of the VA. We lost our son/veteran to suicide for the VA was broken, not ready and did not have the resources. Jeffrey Michael Lucey or our family is not alone - there have been too many who have both preceded and followed us. This must end. Thus, instead of attacking this author who only reflected the information, Let us as one nation - one people undivided by race, beliefs and politics - embrace our warriors as they return to their homes and loved ones; establish the greatest and best healthcare system on this earth and give the very best of care of which this nation is capable. Kevin & Joyce Lucey, the proud parents of Cpl. Jeffrey Michael Lucey, a 23 year old USMC reservist forever succumbed to the hidden wounds of PTSD 03/18/81 --------- 06/22/04

This is a unique and extremely powerful book. After facing war, Tyler Boudreau was willing, perhaps he would say compelled, to squarely face the realities of coming home from war without turning away from its pain, ambiguities and undeniable lessons. Presented through the compelling story of his own experience, this is a starkly honest and insightful exploration of the complex cultural and psychological forces at work in the making of a marine, the conduct of war and the warrior's return to life at home. It is potentially a "healing story" not only for our veterans, but for all of us whose country is sending men and women to fight and kill in our names. This book can help us to understand how woefully limited and misleading it is to consider veterans' distress as simply a "disorder" , and can teach us to more fully realize the true cost of war. As Mr. Boudreau says, "...the community gains every bit as much by listening to war stories as the veteran does by telling them." Though skillfully written, this is not an easy story to hear. It may elicit tears, shame and anger, but if we're willing to listen it is an opportunity for greater awareness and for us to realize the responsibility we bear as a community. I am grateful for this book, not only as a US citizen, but as a psychiatrist striving to understand the effects of trauma and support individuals in healing from its effects. The editorial review from Publisher's Weekly seems to have missed the point of the book in suggesting that inability "to face another deployment" is the explanation for Mr. Boudreau's decision to give up his career in the Marine Corps. In addition, this review inaccurately refers to "his exaggerated figures for army suicides". There are no statistics for suicide cited in the book. It does contain several mentions of the "shocking" numbers of suicides among veterans and, like numerous other respected publications, refers to them as an "epidemic". Hopefully we have not lost our capacity to be shocked by large numbers of young people coming home from war and killing themselves.

Tyler Boudreau's Packing Inferno is provocative and moving. It is the story of a gradual awakening. Boudreau does relate some hellish experiences in some detail, but he also interprets those experiences, and provides their context. Many of the best passages of the book are insightful descriptions of Boudreau's complex interactions with other complex human beings. Boudreau tells a gripping story of his own "unmaking," but, by placing his own trajectory in a larger context, he successfully builds a convincing argument against this war, and perhaps against all war.

On a political level, all Americans should read this book, no matter what their political leanings. The vivid prose repeatedly launches the reader right into the midst of the daily reality and ugly truths of a misguided war. A war that has destroyed more lives and more of our county's image than we can ever know. As an American, I feel it is an honor and an obligation to share these stories with Boudreau, out of respect for our country and the sacrifices of all veterans. And on a spiritual level, one of the most fascinating parts of Packing Inferno, for me, is how Boudreau guides us through his transformation from a young man, thirsting for war, to an older, wiser one, determined to make sense of war on a deeply personal and spiritual level. This book proves that through our most intense suffering we can also experience equally intense spiritual growth and self-understanding. We learn that, when life's pain is raw and overwhelming, it is only when we allow ourselves to face our fears head on, and reveal its truths through the telling of our stories, can we then come out on the other side transformed. The images and stories in this novel will stay with you, in your mind and heart.

This book is riveting, it builds in momentum throughout. As non fiction writing it is as gripping as the classics of the genre such as "Into Thin Air". However, this book goes beyond entertainment because it deals with issues vital right now to all of those in the armed forces, issues also of life and death to the Iraqi people. If you only read one book on Iraq, make it this one. Tyler developed this book in part out of his experience in relating his story to the public out loud and in person, in venues such as high school classrooms, meetings of peace activists, discussions with vietnam veterans. That person-to-person way of conveying events pervades the text. You feel you are listening to someone talk, someone who respects your intelligence and who is a captivating speaker. It is blazingly candid, with a candor which serves a purpose. The Issue is the war in Iraq, but the book breaks it into many specific parts, some of which I would title: "How and why did I become a killer?" "What is my allegiance to my fellow Marines made of?" "How come we were on the defensive in Iraq and no one would say that?" These are some of the questions. Tyler's writing method is made of a deep need to ask the hard questions about his specific experiences. The book does not pontificate about some abstract political or tactical situation, it does not ask for sympathy for personal tragedy. It takes apart, with an unflinching manner, specific instances in the life of a person who was a Marine Infantry Oficer in Iraq. In Fallujah, Lutifiyah, Sadan, 2004. Its takes things apart to try to provide something useful, something real underneath all the BS. He questions the events of his experience in war as if his survival depends upon reaching deeper into a truth or meaning. Here is a quote from the text about the need to write: "Put the story together. Understand the story. Ask questions of the story; make it answer you. Make it. You don't take no for an answer. You find the answer. You keep building that narrative until the answer comes around. That's the low road out of hell." What comes out of that search is this book. Having just finished it 10 days ago (it makes a quick read) I have already found myself reaching for this book when talking with friends. I dog eared about 20 passages when I was reading. Now I ask other people to read these passages which can be read in about 1 minute. In one minute you can bring up these things which seem like common sense, but which you just don't see people talking about anywhere. I hope that many of the returnees from Iraq and Afghanistan can read this book. I hope that people can see it as a way to take a real and hard--yet ultimately constructive--look into their own story.