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Posted by Russ Roth [24.21.77.67] on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 20:45:41 :
In Reply to: Upseting encounter today posted by Glen Id [70.41.247.101] on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 23:17:28 :
There are a number of fellas I served with struggling with PTSD to this day. One of my medic friends had his life stop on May 5, 1968. I was not in that particular battle although we were on standby to respond. I did listen to it on the radio for a couple hours and my heart was in my throat as we had a similar (but not quite as bad) experience in March. It was a miracle anyone survived and to this day one of the guys always asks the Medics to stand, thanks us for what we did and the lives we may have saved and then gives us a hand. I ALWAYS feel unworthy as like everyone else I just was doing my job. Not to mention myself, another Medic and the fella we were working on would not have survived an ambush on March 17, 1968 if it had not been for a rifle squad that put themselves at EXTREME risk to save our lives.
After that battle in which Jim was wounded and alone behind enemy lines, my friend and Medic pard were transferred to that company. I eventually was the Senior Aid Medic and Jim was back on the line. Without detail I knew Jim had some issues but really didn't know his story until I met him again at a reunion about 8 years ago. He was having such a tough time he only made it for 2 days. My medic pard happened to see him on the way out with a long bag or sack of some type. Robert ask him what was going on and Jim said he just couldn't stay, it was too tough. Then he opens the bag and shows Robert a couple of rifles, at the hotel we were staying at! I'm sure the hotel would have been really happy if they had known.
This last reunion Jim was able make it the whole time and many commented on how far he had come. He still has a long way to go but progress is being made. For years I thought PTSD was pretty much a scam but not anymore after seeing the true suffering I see with Jim and a few others. I feel truly fortunate and blessed to have not suffered any of that type of thing.
There are 6 men on the Wall from the 2 platoons I served with in 7 months field time. Unfortunately we were not able to help any of them due to the severity of their injuries. They are never very far from my thoughts.
Glen and Steve, you probably did about the best you could for them by just listening. Many do not often open up about their experiences. I'm not sure why but I suspect maybe some guilt and perhaps apprehension they will not be believed or maybe that no one cares. No one ever thanked us and for me it did not matter as I just wanted to come home in one piece, which I was fortunate to do. It was not until after several of us made a return trip to VN in October of 2001 that someone did. There is a group of us retired Firefighters that get together once a month. I was asked to write something for the quarterly rap sheet that gets sent out about the trip. I eventually did and I received a HAND written (not e-mail) letter from one of the guys thanking me for my service. I was stunned by my reaction. It put me in tears for a time and I have that letter to this day. I really am still shocked at how much it meant.
RR
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