You are a long dark hallway with beautiful trees and sun at the end of it. I want to reach the end and join my wonderful family. But with every step I take you get longer and darker you trip me and make me fall. 
       
     
ou weren't discussed at our house growing up. We did not even know you existed. We experienced you as grumpy, irritable, irritating, frustrating, and easily set off. We knew when to ignore you or stay away. We often saw you as dramatic. Sincerely,
       
     
Has been in my life since my return from Vietnam. With my family, work, and everyday life. I think about those we lost in battle every day. Most dreams are gone now but every once in a while they return.
       
     
You have caused me to try and understand what you are. What you have done to change my husband's personality. Getting to know my husband's triggers. Understanding when he needs to be with "his brothers" and knowing he isn't just ignoring me or us. I
       
     
I've never known a life without you. In a way, I have to thank you for making me a problem solver. Whenever my dad would blow up - I'd rush to try to figure out why and how to fix it. I wonder what my dad was like before you. But I will never know.
       
     
I was a Marine in VN in 1968, a crew chief and gunner on a Huey Gunship. Flew 129 missions along the DMZ by my count. Shot in the leg trying to capture an enemy. Lost my leg. Nightmares present. VA says I'm PTSD.  L.J. Sessinger USMC
       
     
Thank you for destroying my life, family, friends, I became an alcoholic, went through a divorce, lost 1 job, my driving license, confined weekends in jail for DUI, on the verge of bankruptcy & not permitting to forget Viet-nam - I never left
       
     
You stole 10 years of my life, my ability to be a loving wife that my husband desperately needed, and the kind of mom I always wanted to be for our daughter. No more will you rule me, I refuse to let you steal another day or moment of my life. Not
       
     
When Abe came home he was a different human being we could not get along constant problems he was violent & obnoxious, our children were afraid of him. We divorced, & then his life was tail spinning - could not control his drinking: Thank
       
     
It has made me independent, strong, & lonely.
       
     
you are not a mental illness you are not a disorder you are a natural reaction to very abnormal events you are a very deep spiritual wound I am not a victim - WAR is traumatic I am no VICTIM - yet you allowed me to victimize many the coming
       
     
After 47 years you still have a place in our home + lives. Sometimes you steal away joy + happiness from any event. Family + friends will always struggle to understand you. Only the Vietnam Brothers understand what you truly are -
       
     
You are a long dark hallway with beautiful trees and sun at the end of it. I want to reach the end and join my wonderful family. But with every step I take you get longer and darker you trip me and make me fall. 
       
     
+

You are a long dark hallway with beautiful trees and sun at the end of it. I want to reach the end and join my wonderful family. But with every step I take you get longer and darker you trip me and make me fall. 

ou weren't discussed at our house growing up. We did not even know you existed. We experienced you as grumpy, irritable, irritating, frustrating, and easily set off. We knew when to ignore you or stay away. We often saw you as dramatic. Sincerely,
       
     
+

ou weren't discussed at our house growing up. We did not even know you existed. We experienced you as grumpy, irritable, irritating, frustrating, and easily set off. We knew when to ignore you or stay away. We often saw you as dramatic.


Sincerely, A Child's Perspective on Growing Up

Has been in my life since my return from Vietnam. With my family, work, and everyday life. I think about those we lost in battle every day. Most dreams are gone now but every once in a while they return.
       
     
+

Has been in my life since my return from Vietnam. With my family, work, and everyday life. I think about those we lost in battle every day. Most dreams are gone now but every once in a while they return.

You have caused me to try and understand what you are. What you have done to change my husband's personality. Getting to know my husband's triggers. Understanding when he needs to be with "his brothers" and knowing he isn't just ignoring me or us. I
       
     
+

You have caused me to try and understand what you are. What you have done to change my husband's personality. Getting to know my husband's triggers. Understanding when he needs to be with "his brothers" and knowing he isn't just ignoring me or us. I've been affected 2nd hand by you as our whole family.

I've never known a life without you. In a way, I have to thank you for making me a problem solver. Whenever my dad would blow up - I'd rush to try to figure out why and how to fix it. I wonder what my dad was like before you. But I will never know.
       
     
+

I've never known a life without you. In a way, I have to thank you for making me a problem solver. Whenever my dad would blow up - I'd rush to try to figure out why and how to fix it. I wonder what my dad was like before you. But I will never know.

Best, A Friend

I was a Marine in VN in 1968, a crew chief and gunner on a Huey Gunship. Flew 129 missions along the DMZ by my count. Shot in the leg trying to capture an enemy. Lost my leg. Nightmares present. VA says I'm PTSD.  L.J. Sessinger USMC
       
     
+

I was a Marine in VN in 1968, a crew chief and gunner on a Huey Gunship. Flew 129 missions along the DMZ by my count. Shot in the leg trying to capture an enemy. Lost my leg. Nightmares present. VA says I'm PTSD. 

L.J. Sessinger USMC

Thank you for destroying my life, family, friends, I became an alcoholic, went through a divorce, lost 1 job, my driving license, confined weekends in jail for DUI, on the verge of bankruptcy & not permitting to forget Viet-nam - I never left
       
     
+

Thank you for destroying my life, family, friends, I became an alcoholic, went through a divorce, lost 1 job, my driving license, confined weekends in jail for DUI, on the verge of bankruptcy & not permitting to forget Viet-nam - I never left Viet-nam - Thanks

You stole 10 years of my life, my ability to be a loving wife that my husband desperately needed, and the kind of mom I always wanted to be for our daughter. No more will you rule me, I refuse to let you steal another day or moment of my life. Not
       
     
+

You stole 10 years of my life, my ability to be a loving wife that my husband desperately needed, and the kind of mom I always wanted to be for our daughter. No more will you rule me, I refuse to let you steal another day or moment of my life. Not to be the person I was always meant to be and do the best I can to help heal the wounds I caused others because you held me down!

When Abe came home he was a different human being we could not get along constant problems he was violent & obnoxious, our children were afraid of him. We divorced, & then his life was tail spinning - could not control his drinking: Thank
       
     
+


When Abe came home he was a different human being we could not get along constant problems he was violent & obnoxious, our children were afraid of him. We divorced, & then his life was tail spinning - could not control his drinking: Thank you Viet-nam and PTSD

-ChaCha

It has made me independent, strong, & lonely.
       
     
+

It has made me independent, strong, & lonely.

you are not a mental illness you are not a disorder you are a natural reaction to very abnormal events you are a very deep spiritual wound I am not a victim - WAR is traumatic I am no VICTIM - yet you allowed me to victimize many the coming
       
     
+

you are not a mental illness

you are not a disorder

you are a natural reaction to very abnormal events

you are a very deep spiritual wound

I am not a victim - WAR is traumatic

I am no VICTIM - yet you allowed me to victimize many

the coming home from WAR is harder than the WAR

prescribed or not medication is NO solution

Sgt. Jimmie L. Coulthard 66/67/68
Co C 3/21 INF - 196th LIB

After 47 years you still have a place in our home + lives. Sometimes you steal away joy + happiness from any event. Family + friends will always struggle to understand you. Only the Vietnam Brothers understand what you truly are -
       
     
+

After 47 years you still have a place in our home + lives. Sometimes you steal away joy + happiness from any event. Family + friends will always struggle to understand you. Only the Vietnam Brothers understand what you truly are -