This story at a glance…

1. A homeowner in NY found mastodon teeth while gardening.

2. Experts uncovered a complete jaw and other fossils.

3. Mastodons roamed 10,000 years ago and often appear in NY digs.

4. The fossils will be studied and displayed in 2025.

Congress Acts to Address Brain Injuries in the Military

Each day, America’s service members stand ready to endure the physical and emotional toll of their mission. Yet, many face an invisible adversary: the cumulative damage of weapon blasts. These waves of pressure, often imperceptible in the moment, can wreak havoc on brain tissue over time, leaving scars that cannot be seen but are deeply felt.

In a historic decision, Congress has passed new measures within the $895 billion National Defense Authorization Act to protect military personnel from these silent injuries. The provisions mandate the Pentagon to limit blast exposures, track soldiers’ exposure throughout their careers, and integrate brain safety into weapon designs for the first time.

"It’s been a hard fight to get to this point," said Senator Elizabeth Warren, a leading advocate for the reforms. "Finally, there was widespread acknowledgment of a problem with blast overpressure and what it’s doing to the brains of our service members."

Tragedy That Demanded Action
For years, service members quietly bore the cost of repetitive blast exposure, their suffering often misunderstood or dismissed. The urgency of this issue became tragically clear in October 2023, when Sgt. First Class Robert Card II, an Army Reserve soldier, killed 18 people in a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, before taking his own life.

Card had endured years of repeated blast exposure as a weapons instructor. After his death, an autopsy revealed extensive brain damage consistent with blast-related trauma. Senator Angus King of Maine remarked, "This is one of those things that went on for years and years, and I don’t think people connected the dots. Now the dots are right in front of our eyes."

The devastating loss of life in Lewiston underscored the critical need for action. "It was clear we needed more than thoughts and prayers," King said. "We need to make a very deliberate effort to understand what happened and prevent it from happening again."

The Human Cost of Overlooked Injuries
For soldiers like Ryan Larkin, a former Navy SEAL, the damage caused by blast exposure was insidious. A skilled and dedicated serviceman, Ryan struggled for years with symptoms of an undiagnosed brain injury before dying by suicide in 2017. An autopsy revealed severe brain damage from his years of service.

"Ryan kept saying something was wrong, but no one would listen," said his father, Frank Larkin, a passionate advocate for reform. "My hope is that no one has to go through that again."

These injuries, often mistaken for PTSD or unrelated mental health challenges, leave service members grappling with insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Their unseen wounds erode their ability to find peace, even as they serve with courage and resilience.

Steps Toward Healing
The military is beginning to confront these painful truths. This year, 36,000 troops have undergone baseline brain function screenings to establish a foundation for future monitoring. Training protocols have been adjusted to limit daily blast exposures, and new technologies like virtual training simulators are being introduced to reduce risks.

"We’re finally getting somewhere," said Frank Larkin, "but I think we still have a ways to go."

Still, significant challenges remain. Researchers are only beginning to understand the thresholds for blast-induced brain damage. Detecting cumulative injuries in living soldiers is difficult, and current treatments focus only on managing symptoms, not repairing the damage.

"This brain health stuff is truly a national security issue," Larkin emphasized. "Our ability to think on our feet is what gives us an edge. We need to take this seriously, because it’s already impacting recruitment and retention. People need to see we will take care of our force and their families."

Honoring the Sacrifice, Protecting the Future
These new measures represent a critical shift in how the nation cares for its protectors. By addressing brain injuries with the seriousness they deserve, the military can better safeguard the minds and hearts of its soldiers. Each step forward honors the sacrifices of those like Ryan Larkin and Robert Card, ensuring their pain was not in vain.

Reflection
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:26, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." Our service members are an integral part of our national body. When they are wounded—physically or mentally—it affects us all. These measures to protect their brain health are a testament to unity and shared responsibility, reflecting the interdependence we are called to live out in Christ.