I thought I was living a normal life

Ray came home from Vietnam and had a tough time dealing with the way he and other Veterans were treated. He tried to forget his experiences, but memories would resurface. For decades, he drank and used drugs. After starting AA, Ray realized he needed to change. Treatment at VA and support from fellow Veterans have helped turn his life around.

[stevestarr]

Blessings and prayers of healing going out to you Sir ….. 🙏🏽

[Phyrman]

Thank you for sharing this, Ray. Other vets need to know they are not alone, and things can change. I wish you good times in the future - you've earned them.

[DianaKazimiera-]

Very difficult, demanding and unpleasant human stories.Good luck Sir and respect 🕊️
#PTSD support, protect this people

[oreokookie]

Thanks for this, Ray....glad you came through and can talk to the younger vets about your choices.

[MrViper]

YOU'RE A HERO TO ME BROTHER . J.D. DUTTON U.S.A. MIL.POLICE INV.

[usernamechecksoutBB]

Fear the mantra of mental health is so real.

[nickdonvito]

Everything Ray here, says is accurate and explained perfectly! My entrance back to civilian life was easier. I was in heavy combat all the time I was in Vietnam. I was wounded four times and the fourth time was my last. It cost me 2 years recovery at Walson Hospital at Ft. Dix, NJ. I wanted to be a cop so bad and I forced my rehab as hard as I could. Eventually, in 1971, there was a Government program called "EEA" the Emergency Employment Act and got myself hired at the Syracuse Police Department, from there on and after 28 years on the job, my wound caught up with me, including two severe On The Job injuries, forced me to retire. But I told my wife, that when the job wasn't fun anymore I'll get out. All my career I worked two and three police related jobs at the same time and while going to college full time, it didn't leave me much time for feeling sorry for myself, or even thinking about Vietnam, and keeping in touch with my old friends from the Cav, especially my platoon, helped me a great deal to see actually how lucky I really was! Now my life consists of living for my family and my beautiful granddaughters and her family. Family and having people depend on you was what helped me the most. The bad part was being alone at times and having time to think, that's what hurts, especially thinking of all my close friends who's life ended in that piss ass miserable jungle!!!! Also the friends who have died since they got home and we're STILL killed by Vietnam, through the deases's and shit like Agent Orange that are still killing my friends! The VA has helped me here in Syracuse and have diagnosed my Diabetes from AO. About the only advice that I can give fellow vets is hold your family tight and do t be afraid to try to enjoy your life, I know Survivors Guilt is a terrible burden to some vets, so do NOT shut your friends and family out of your life...include them!!! And try NOT to climb in a bottle or swallow pills to find relief. GOD BLESS you Allen o mater where or when you served, he will listen to you!!!

[VeteransMTC]

“Coming home was no picnic, ” says Ray. He tried to forget his war experiences from #Vietnam, but his memories would resurface. When he realized he needed to make a change, treatment and support were there. I thought I was living a normal life

[ronaldwarren]

The last class I took at Grand Valley State University prior to graduation in 1979 was 'Socialization of Women'. The text book for the class was about the socialization of Vietnamese women. It portrayed the US Soldier as being a woman hating whoremonger and rapist. I had been stationed at Long Binh in 1968/69 and lived in a barracks of 40 some guys. Most had some college and a few were married with children. There were a couple of guys on the bottom floor that would go to the brothels but the rest of us treated the Vietnamese women like gentlemen. I pointed this out to the rest of the class and was believed by most of them (mostly female). The book also glorified Jane Fonda and had a picture of her in North Vietnam sitting on an anti aircraft gun.