This resulted because of Republican politics. The day of January 6, 2021 was supposed to be a great day for the USA that their democracy actually works as it was designed. Instead, a crowd of violent participants stormed the USA Capitol building with no reverence for the greatness of the country they wanted to disrupt.
Some of the violence came from legitimate militiamen who actually wanted to do away with the government. Others were there to spawn a consumer base for their homegrown company, at least that is what some have said. But, the majority of those that violated civil law and marched into the Capitol to conduct vandalism, the mayhem of the proceedings, and even capture legislators to be hung in a gallows that was built on the grounds were political activists for the right-wing Republicans.
This is their politics. They are violent and do not believe in government so much as anarchy. As a result valuable people taking care of the US Capitol and it's legislators now have permanent scars. PTDS does not go away and interrupts people's lives without notice.
These brave people that care for our most cherished buildings and people of government need to be recognized for the infliction of the pain resulting from the events of January 6, 2021. They should be provided the benefits they need permanently, regardless, of their personal choices to continue to work for the government or to leave. There should be a fund to provide any needed services. We do this for our 911 heroes and we certainly can do this for these magnificent police.
By Peter Hermann
Sgt. Aquilino Gonell, a Capitol Police officer, is suffering from physical and psychological injuries stemming from the Jan. 6 insurrection
More than six months after Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell (click here) battled the mob that stormed the Capitol, he remains hobbled, a hand scarred, a shoulder aching, recovering from surgery to an injured foot that swelled so large it no longer fit his shoe.
The 42-year-old Capitol Police officer and Army reservist is also seeing a therapist to help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), first diagnosed after he served in the war in Iraq.
He said bouts of anxiety returned after his battle on American soil in the Jan. 6 riot.
“I can be fine now and see or hear something and next thing I get tears and get emotional,” said Gonell, who was hurt when rioters tried to yank away his ballistic shield, threw a speaker at him, struck him in the face with a pole and sprayed him with chemical irritants.
“I tried to be strong,” he said of the months following the riot. “I tried not to show my emotion.” But once, he said, he retreated to a quiet space at his home in Virginia, away from his wife and 9-year-old son: “I completely broke down.”....
