Author and Pro athlete joins forces with a charity to help veterans suffering with (PTSD)

March 18, 2009 - PRLog -- In his book Combat Application Techniques: Principles of Destruction  (published by AuthorHouse) and released in April 2008, author Andrew Curtiss offered a quick and easy read for anyone interested in learning the basics of effective hand-to-hand combat; but now he is hosting a charity fund raiser to help veterans who have been wounded by combat.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or (PTSD) affects thousands of our veterans who are returning from duty in the Global War On Terror. PTSD is a mental disorder with physiological effects on the person suffering. Many veterans suffering from PTSD are simply suffering silently; while others are given so many drugs they can no longer function as contributing members of society. Because there is relatively little known about what causes PTSD the treatment is limited. This is where organizations like "Save a Vet" come in. Save a Vet is an organization that is devoted to funding the research of alternative treatments for PTSD, as well as building a facility dedicated strictly to the illness.

When asked why he is teaming up with Save a Vet, Curtiss is quick to respond:

I am a veteran. I have been in combat and have watched friends deteriorate to a shell of their former selves because of the illness. I watched others ridicule those affected, because they did not understand PTSD. Although the Army is getting better on it's policy for soldiers affected by this illness; I have witnessed how the Army in many cases treats those with PTSD as if they had leprosy. When treating PTSD the Army's mentality was always; that those affected are weak and the organization simply doesn't have the time to deal with it. When the soldiers affected were no longer of any use to the Army they were thrown away like trash; and then left to deal with the symptoms alone. The thing about PTSD is it can affect you years later.You might be fine today and then tomorrow, your life is upside down. I heard about Save a Vet and knew I wanted to be a part immediately.

Andy Curtiss is now promoting a book drive fundraiser for PTSD with one dollar from each of his royalties going to Save a Vet. He is also donating one dollar from all purchases of his merchandise at any appearances, seminars or clinics.Curtiss says that he is available for any events or fundraisers where the proceeds are to be donated to Save a vet as well. Curtiss has also recently teamed up with  sponsorship from Cellucor, Shakers Management Group out of California and the band 7 Days Away who was recently featured on the "Punisher Warzone" movie soundtrack. Curtiss is currently trying to schedule appearances with the band during the Pandemonium Tourfest as well as several cellucor promotionals throughout 2009. He will be donating portions of proceeds from his appearances to Save a Vet.

Andrew Curtiss is a veteran Green Beret, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Shurite Kenpo/ Hakushu. He has numerous military awards and achievements including the Bronze Star with a “V” for Combat Valor. Curtiss was nominated for the Silver Star in combat during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004. Andrew Curtiss is the author of  Combat Application Techniques and a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter.

Save a Vet is the premiere charity when it comes to raising money for PTSD. For more information on how you can help go to these web sites:
http://www.saveavet.com/
http://www.knife-and-h2h-combat.com/
http://www.unarmedcombat.zoomshare.com

# # #

Combat Application Techniques is a knife and hand to hand combat system developed by a green beret for the green berets and can also be used in women's self protection or street combat. Combat Application Techniques is Copyrighted to Andy Curtiss.