About Me: A Journey Through War, Anguish, and Redemption
I am a proud and patriotic military veteran who served in the Airborne divisions (173rd and 101st), Recon Units, and Special Forces, with a combat tour in Vietnam. My journey through the military is one marked by both honor and horror, camaraderie and conflict. The jungles of Vietnam were not just a battlefield but a crucible where my courage was tested while my soul was scarred.
The horrors of war are indescribable. The constant threat of death, the loss of comrades, and the brutality of combat left deep wounds that never fully healed. But beyond the physical dangers, there were the psychological battles—witnessing and experiencing injustices that tore at the very fabric of my being. Lower-ranking personnel, especially women, often faced mistreatment and discrimination from those in higher ranks. These injustices festered in me, turning my spirit bitter, vindictive, and consumed by anger and hate. The man I became was a far cry from the optimistic young man who first entered the military. I went into combat with one headset and walked out of combat with a completely different headset.
My sins during that dark period and in the middle of my PTSD, are something I won’t detail here, as they have now been washed away, controlled, and transformed by the loving support of my family, friends, and my God. Yet, my past actions would leave me regretting what I had done, leaving me deeply depressed and often contemplating suicide. It was only the unwavering love and support of my family that kept me from succumbing to those dark thoughts. Even now, after 50 years, I occasionally experience flashbacks and nightmares. While I have learned to control these moments and understand their nature, they serve as a stark reminder of the person I once was.
Why I Write About Military Injustices
You might ask, why am I writing about the injustices I witnessed in the military? What qualifications do I have to offer advice? I am not a psychiatrist, psychologist, doctor, or religious counselor. I am not one with solutions learned from a book. However, I am a combat veteran who has walked the path of PTSD and has close friends who have faced various injustices during their military service.
My qualifications come from lived experience. I have faced the darkness of war and have worked through the psychological aftermath. I know firsthand the value of talking things out with someone who understands, and who has been there. Unlike group therapy sessions where veterans often find themselves sitting in a circle
trying to outdo each other’s stories, one-on-one conversations with a fellow vet who genuinely relates can be profoundly healing.
The Path to Healing
The greatest pathway to healing for a veteran experiencing depression and contemplating suicide is through the support of fellow combat veterans, family, and friends, and your faith in God. Veterans who understand PTSD, who know what the individual is going through, and who can offer real empathy and concern, make a world of difference. Similarly, family and friends who educate themselves about PTSD and learn the do’s and don’ts of what to do when needed can provide invaluable support.
I don’t claim to have all the answers. What I offer is a perspective grounded in experience, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to helping others navigate their own journeys through trauma. The love and support I received saved my life; I hope to pay that forward and help others find their path to healing.
In sharing my story and offering my insights, I aim to shed light on the often overlooked injustices within the military and the ongoing struggles many veterans face. Together, through understanding and support, we can help each other heal and build a future where our past no longer dictates our present.
P.S. Oops I forgot. Did I mention that this is a Veteran Owned Business?