PTSD

Inspiration Station

"I know there's no Hell...I was in Vietnam." Richard Hafford

Home is where you DIG IT! KHE SANH WAS HOME!

The year was 1968. You could still smoke in airplanes. The pilot said to fasten our seat belts and extinguish our cigarettes, for safety - WE WERE LANDING IN VIETNAM FOR CHRIST'S SAKE! THE AIRSTRIP WAS BEING BOMBED but we had to put out our cigarettes. Now that didn't make a lot of sense to me, neither has my life ever since.

My years1968 - 1970. Khe Sanh, Vietnam. First Battalion, 9th Marines. (1/9) "The Walking Dead".

We exited the plane and ran for our lives, taking cover from foxhole to foxhole. The Marine I had talked to on the plane jumped in one as I jumped out. A round came in and I heard a yell; he was gone in that one moment that could have been me. This is what Vietnam was like for me every day.

They say that troops in the field develop lifetime friendships. Although this may be the norm it was not how it happened for me; getting close meant feeling something when your friend got his head blown off.

I stood in a line to get my orders. "Where am I going?", I asked. In response, the Marine displayed the sign of the cross. "Why are you doing that?" He pointed across the field to a row of caskets, each one covered by an American flag. "That's the unit you're going to".

    We all came together,

    Both young and old

    To fight for our freedom,

    To stand and be bold.



    In the midst of all evil,

    We stand our ground,

    And we protect our country

    From all terror around.



    Peace and not war,

    Is what some people say.

    But I'll give my life,

    So you can live the American way.



    I give you the right

    To talk of your peace.

    To stand in your groups,

    and protest in our streets.



    But still I fight on,

    I don't bitch, I don't whine.

    I'm just one of the people

    Who is doing your time.



    I'm harder than nails,

    Stronger than any machine.

    I'm the immortal soldier,

    I'm a U.S. MARINE!



    So stand in my shoes,

    And leave from your home.

    Fight for the people who hate you,

    With the protests they've shown.

    Fight for the stranger,

    Fight for the young.

    So they all may have,

    The greatest freedom you've won



    Fight for the sick,

    Fight for the poor

    Fight for the cripple,

    Who lives next door.



    But when your time comes,

    Do what I've done.

    For if you stand up for freedom,

    You'll stand when the fight's done .



    By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert, U S Marine Corps

Pentagon Channel Sheds Light on PTSD

American Forces Press Service | David Mays | November 03, 2006

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon Channel is taking an in-depth look at post-traumatic stress disorder in a new edition of its monthly documentary “Recon.” The half-hour show, called “The Wounds Within,” explores how the understanding of PTSD has evolved from the Civil War to World Wars I and II to Vietnam and now to operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

It also demonstrates how the Department of Defense is aggressively treating servicemembers returning from battle today, Pentagon Channel officials said.

“It’s not a small problem,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Daniela Marchus, who hosts the show. “Seeking help is such an important thing.”

Former Marine David Powell is featured in “The Wounds Within.” He was shot outside Danang, Vietnam, in 1968. “I saw the track of the bullet pass through the flak jacket of the fellow in front of me, and it was as if someone was pulling a thread,” Powell said. “The recall is vivid beyond imagination.”

Powell returned from battle with a Purple Heart but limited treatment options. “There was no decompression,” he said. “You were one thing: a combat veteran trying to save your own life.”

Army Pfc. Brian Daniels also is profiled in this program. His right leg was severely injured when a roadside bomb rocked his Humvee in Iraq. “I remember the smell, the sound,” he said. “It seems like it was yesterday.”

Unlike his counterparts wounded in Vietnam, Daniels was diagnosed with PTSD and quickly offered counseling.

“In the Civil War it was called ‘nostalgia’; following World War I it was called ‘shell shock’; following World War II it was called ‘combat fatigue’,” Dr. Robert Ursano of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences told “Recon” producers. “There’s always been a name, but never as much focus and trying to understand and intervene.”

But even with today’s understanding and treatment, “The Wounds Within” shows why many servicemembers refuse to seek help.

“There’s a stigmatization of mental health,” said Army Lt. Gen. Kevin Kiley, the service’s surgeon general. “It’s a challenge to break through the stigma.”

Many other wounded servicemembers share very personal stories of how they survived, how they were able to seek treatment and how they are coping today in this emotionally charged “Recon.”

Marchus said she hopes “The Wounds Within” will spark discussion about PTSD and prompt servicemembers who are suffering in silence to ask for help. “They are suffering emotionally,” she said. “They are not alone.”

Saepius Exertus-Often Tested

Semper Fidelis-Always Faithful

Frater Infinitas-Brothers Forever

The United States Marines

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,

Jesus Christ and the American G.I.

One died for your soul,

the other for your freedom.

Thank them both.

A mother asked President ... "Why did my son have to die in Iraq ?" A mother asked President ... "Why did my son have to die in Somalia " A mother asked President ... "Why did my son have to die in Kuwait ?" Another mother asked President ... "Why did my son have to die in Vietnam ?" Another mother asked President ... "Why did my son have to die in Korea ?" Another mother asked President ... "Why did my son have to die on Iwo Jima ?" Another mother asked President ... "Why did my son have to die on a battlefield on a field in France ?" Yet another mother asked President ... "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg ?" And yet another mother asked President ... "Why did my son have to die on a frozen field near Valley Forge ?" Then long, long ago, a mother asked... "Heavenly Father ... Why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem ?" The answer is the same ... "So that others may have life and dwell In peace, happiness, and freedom." This was emailed to me with no author. I thought the magnitude and the simplicity were awesome. IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, PLEASE, FEEL FREE... TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM !!!

Subject: Troops

Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten.

On the first day of school, with permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she took all of the desks out of the classroom.

The kids came into first period and there were no desks. They obviously looked around and said, "Ms. Cothren, where's our desk?"

And she said, "You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn them."

They thought, "Well, maybe it's our grades."

"No," she said.

"Maybe it's our behavior."

And she told them, "No, it's not even your behavior."

And so they came and went in the first period, still no desks in the classroom. Second period, same thing, third period too. By early afternoon television news crews had gathered in Ms. Cothren's class to find out about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of the classroom.

The last period of the day, Martha Cothren gathered her class. They were at this time sitting on the floor around the sides of the room. And she says, "Throughout the day no one has really understood how you earn the

desks that sit in this classroom ordinarily."

She said, "Now I'm going to tell you."

Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it, and as she did 27 U.S. veterans, wearing their uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. And they placed those school desks in rows, and then they stood along the wall. And by the time they had finished placing those desks, those kids, for the first time I think perhaps in their lives, understood how they earned those desks.

Martha said, "You don't have to earn those desks. These guys did it for you. They put them out there for you, but it's up to you to sit here responsibly to learn, to be good students and good citizens, because they paid a price for you to have that desk, and don't ever forget it."

Friends, I think sometimes we forget that the freedoms that we have are freedoms not because of celebrities. The freedoms are because of ordinary people who did extraordinary things, who loved this country more than life itself, and who not only earned a school desk for a kid at the Robinson High School in Little Rock, but who earned a seat for

you and me to enjoy this great land we call home, this wonderful nation that we better love enough to protect and preserve with the kind of conservative, solid values and principles that made us a great nation.

"We live in the Land of the Free because of the brave."

Please remember our Troops!

TRUE AMERICAN

It is time to change from REDNECK humor to TRUE AMERICAN Humor!

Only it isn't seen as HUMOR, but the correct way to LIVE YOUR LIFE! If you

feel the same, pass this on to your True American friends. Y'all know who

they are...

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: It never occurred to you to be offended

by the phrase, "One nation, under God."

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You've never protested about seeing the 10

Commandments posted in public places.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You still say "Christmas" instead of

"Winter Festival."

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You bow your head when someone prays.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You stand and place your hand over your

heart when they play the National Anthem.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You treat Vietnam vets with great respect,

and always have.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You've never burned an American flag.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You know what you believe and you aren't

afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You respect your elders and expect your

kids to do the same.

You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You'd give your last dollar to a friend.

If you got this email from me, it is because I believe that you, like me,

have just enough TRUE AMERICAN in you to have the same beliefs as those

talked about here. God Bless the U S A ! Amen

Another Richard's story

Subject: Fw: Ann Margaret

I always thought she was a class act and I guess this is a case in point. A reminder that the "little" acts of kindness that we show and those shown to us are the essence of love and life.

This is a good counter balance story to the Jane Fonda/Vietnam/Woman Of The Year story I have received many times in my e-mail.

Viet Nam 1966

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.

When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.

Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.

He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."

She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.'"

With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only one there.

Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army," he said.

That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.

I now make it a point to say "Thank you" to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.