The power of words

Trump should be educated on traumatic brain injuries

President Donald Trump should apologize to veterans and educate himself on the topics of concussions and traumatic brain injuries.

Comments by the president minimizing injuries to 64 soldiers after an Iranian bombing attack on Jan. 8 — retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani — showed a lack of understanding of traumatic brain injuries.

“I heard that they had headaches and a couple of other things, but I would say, and I can report, it is not very serious,” Mr. Trump said in Davos, Switzerland, while attending the World Economic Forum

One of the largest veterans groups, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, “expects an apology” from the president. The statement calling for the apology was from William “Doc” Schmitz, national commander.

The VFW has also asked the president to join it in educating the public on traumatic brain injuries. The president should do so as one means of contrition for his comments.

By Jan. 31, 39 soldiers who suffered concussions in the bombing had returned to duty, others continued treatment for their injuries at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany — and a few had returned to the United States for treatment.

Traumatic brain injuries are not “headaches” as the president seems to think. Brain injuries can cause permanent disabilities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The injuries can cause problems with thinking, memory, movement, vision and hearing, and changes in personality.

Depression and sadness are common symptoms, with intentional self-harm the leading cause of death from traumatic brain injuries for all Americans in 2014.

Considering the growing number of veteran suicides, the president’s comments are more than unfortunate — the comments are irresponsible.

The president often speaks of his high regard for the men and women serving in the armed forces. As the commander in chief, he must exercise care in speaking about the troops. These men and women risk their lives in the service of their country and deserve better than to have serious injuries brushed off by the nation’s leader.

The comments are a blow to growth in public understanding that concussions are serious injuries with often permanent effects. The sad reality of the impact of concussions years after they have occurred is becoming more widespread. Too many people still tend to dismiss the severity of such seemingly invisible injuries.

Mr. Trump is known for making off-the-cuff and inaccurate statements. Words have incredible power, even more so coming from the leader of the country.

When it concerns the armed forces, the president must recognize the power of words and exercise discipline and care in the words he chooses.