PTSD from Vietnam Examined | Eastern North Carolina Now

    I have a new friend in Fayetteville by the name of Jim Johnson. I have known of him for years. For the first time I was able to call and talk with him. The result was his sending to me his new book: "Combat Trauma - A Personal Look at Long Term Consequences."

    If any of you are vets from Vietnam to the present having issues, I am sure he would welcome your email to: GYMJIMGEM@aol.com He is a "real deal" chaplain who accompanied his men to the battlefield. Unlike so many who stayed in their office and safety, he was getting bullets whizzing over his head. He was seriously wounded in the process.

    He came back with the "strange issues" which never go away until you die. His book is available directly from him or the publisher, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. The direct cost to me for his paperback is $15. He was kind enough to inscribe my copy. I am sure he would do the same for any direct contact people wanting the help this great book offers.

    Had I gotten the call to duty, I would have joined the USAF and learned to fly jets. Knowing my usual selfless attitude, I would likely have been a resident of the Hanoi Hilton after getting shot down flying into the face of merciless AA. I could have known the POW torture of John McCain. He appears to be the only Conservative with some understanding of the evil of our POW torture of Iraqi captives.

    I read every book I could from the Vietnam Theater of war. The grunts on the ground had the worst duty. The enemy wore no uniforms most of the time. They simply had none. Any woman or child could toss a grenade in your lap or set off explosives hidden under clothes so that soldiers had to shoot anyone getting within 20' of them. Many went over to examine a dead body which had no weapons. You can only endure this so much until your mind goes wild.

    Soldiers were sent on senseless missions where they were bait. As guns opened up from tree lines or ground holes men instantly died and feared they would never get home. Life became cheap and worthless as our own forces misdirected artillery strikes and aircraft strafed and bombed friendlies. Napalm burning your buddy into a crispy critter is a hard thing to see. His flesh came off the bone as you put what was left into a body bag. Too many held their best buddy as he gasped his last agonizing breath.

    Jim Johnson saw it and could not understand why he felt so strange upon returning to his home in Fayetteville, NC. This book is a compilation of accounts by some 20 men in his life and therapy group. Each is---to this day---afflicted with mental agony from that long ago war in their youth. I have a best friend in Hartsville, SC, and my own First Cousin in Florida who are victims. They cannot live a normal life thanks to politicians and philosophies which were far more harmful to us than any enemy we fought. The same is true for any soldier on the battlefield of today. War IS HELL for them.

    If you get the book you will discover the awful features of PTSD:

    · Sleep problems and nightmares

    · Flashbacks

    · Withdrawal, Numbness and Depression

    · Fear and anger

    · Hypervigiliance, startle, and concentration

    · Guilt, trust, denial

    · Physical problem and combat trauma

    · Wannabes, liars, and pretenders

    I have been thinking as I read and mark the important pages, "This helps explain some of the strange attitudes of military people I know. It helps me know why some are so easy to be so mad at the President and others in their lives." My own son is USCG Aviation and I believe he has some issues from the enemy of weather and sharks devouring bodies from his experience. He was part of the Cuban-Haitian boatlift rescues. Every Search and Rescue launch of his helo was potential death and drowning, should something go wrong.

    I face this same life-and-death scenario as I cut big trees and watch for the safety of my workers. I had a big oak come my way just last week as I used my best skills. That particular tree endangered me as it came somewhat toward me and had my saw pinched so I could not run immediately. As soon as you get cocky in tree work, some odd something will humble you right down and threaten life and the pursuit of happiness!

    I want to draw our attention to our men and women who have defended this country since Vietnam. ALL those engagements have been similar. Almost identical is our venture into the Middle East which was promised to be short and victorious.

    Even President George Bush made a dramatic carrier landing to announce victory

    then all hell broke loose and we are still there now for some 10+ years.

    When around every corner and on every road are ambushes and roadside bombs, it's not a good experience of "victory." Soldiers get their medals for bravery and service. Their real issue is PTSD for the rest of your life.