The Association of Former Fighters unites soldiers from Luxembourg who volunteered to fight in armed conflicts around the world. Many members who have seen war from up close still have trouble processing the tragic events that unfolded right in front of their eyes as treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not reimbursed.
For that reason, the Association has been collecting donations for the past two years. Former soldier and Association president Sylvain Eberhardt has just completed a cycling tour from the Oesling region to the Minette and back to collect money.
“I took on this challenge, because I suffer from PTSD, just like other friends of mine”, explained Eberhardt, who fought in the former Republic of Yugoslavia, in conversation with RTL. “We fought at the frontlines in 1992, we were little children, seeing and hearing everything with children’s eyes and ears, which we have carried around for 30 years.”
Christian Heinen, who also fought in the name of the Grand Duchy, elaborated that many of his compatriots are in need of psychological support, but unable to afford it. In some other cases, former fighters are simply too afraid to recognise their PTSD as an issue and seek help, noted Eberhardt.
