Yet Another TAC-y Move

The fine folks at the Treatment Advocacy Center simply cannot contain themselves. They are now likening the deaths of people at the hands of the mentally-ill to war. Why do I say this? On Memorial Day, TAC posted the following on its blog entitled “Memorial Day”:

”Those who took their own lives. Those who are missing in action in a different way – homeless on our streets or lost in their own homes. Those who are a different kind of prisoner of war – a war in their minds, imprisoned in our jails. – a war in their minds, imprisoned in our jails. And those who were caught in the crossfire – law enforcement officers, family members, mental health professionals, friends.”

Sorry, TAC, but Memorial Day is for remembrance of soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines killed in service to their country. People like Lt. Cmdr. Robert Chalmers Winters, a Naval aviator and a hero on Dec. 7, 1941. He was a graduate of the Naval Academy, father of two young girls and was killed in action in May 1942 over the Pacific. Also, he was my grandfather (and a very interesting bon vivant to boot).

If TAC wants a holiday in which to wrap its advocacy, may I suggest Easter? After all, millions of people with mental illnesses have survived the worst and somehow resurrected their lives. I cannot think of a more fitting memorial to them and the people who tried to help them.

TAC, leave my grandfather out of this. Or I am going to turn my mom loose on you.