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LInda Kelly 61 1st Lt United States Army
Mansfield, MA United States
Yesterday, I was in a doctor's office waiting room. The Bonnie Hunt show happened to be on and she was interviewing Bob and his wife. I had tears in my eyes as he spoke of something so close to home. He thought to bring the Vietnam veterans into the conversation. I was truly touched.
I am the wife of a 100% service disabled veteran who suffers from PTSD from the Vietnam War. We had no where to turn in 1970 when this nightmare began. I had to watch a kind gentle young man who worked hard to get a college education and a masters degree, move from hospital to hospital with everyone just shoving him aside because out of desperation, he turned to alcohol. There was not even the term PTSD back then.
It is only really in the past 15 years, that he has been able to move forward, but he had to find his way alone and it was a terrifying journey. I am so happy that these young boys coming back are not made to feel ashamed and have people waiting to help them. We felt like the lowest tier of society, a disgrace. This was the way my bronze star recipient was treated. thank you for remembering the Vietnam Veteran in your talk and saying that to this day these men are affected. You are so right.
God bless you for what you are doing. If you can spare one family the nightmare that was ours, you have done more than you will ever know.
