TheBanyanTree: Veterans

[JENA NORTON]

Yes, thanks, Russ. We all need to be vigilant and let Washington know all of us stand with our vets and won’t allow any benefits to not be given to or lessened for all our vets.

Sent from my iPad

> On Aug 21, 2018, at 9:17 PM, Dale Parish <dale.m.parish at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks, Russ.
> 
> Dale
> --
> Dale M. Parish
> 628 Parish RD
> Orange TX 77632-0264
> 409-790-2352
> 
> 
>> On Aug 21, 2018, at 21:07, Russ Doden <russ.doden at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> It has been a long time since I posted anything here in the Tree.  I don’t
>> know if this should be classified as a “PSA”, just an opinion or what.  Be
>> that as it may, here goes.  It’s long so feel free to just delete and go
>> about your life.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> If you are a Veteran, are involved with a Veteran, have a Veteran in your
>> family, or are just friends with a Veteran, regardless of the era, branch
>> or any of that, cutting them a little slack now and then can go a long
>> way.  It doesn’t matter if they were overseas or never left CONUS
>> (Continental United States). It doesn’t make any difference how far behind
>> the lines, offshore, or if they were on the front.  They (we) were all were
>> exposed to things that we may have brushed off at the time.  Many of these
>> events were laughed about at the time, or were just considered “normal
>> everyday life”.  This can range from dealing with high explosives, napalm,
>> Agent Orange, spilled and ignited jet fuel, “loose” ordnance that can go
>> off at any time, and the list goes on.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Many times, regardless of how well “adjusted” they may be 99.9% of the time
>> now, there may be times when something triggers a response that seems  . .
>> .  unusual, or out of character.  The trigger can be something as simple as
>> seeing a picture, or reading an article.  The trigger and reaction can be
>> something that anyone who has never served may never get.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> There are many well documented cases of PTSD, but I’m willing to bet that
>> there are many many more cases where something hits the Veteran out of the
>> blue and catches them totally unprepared.  It can trigger many different
>> responses too.  These can range from memories coming up that he or she may
>> have thought were gone; feelings of “Survivors Guilt”; anger; resentment
>> toward those who seem irresponsible or seemingly slovenly; and many more.
>> Some Veterans were drafted, some enlisted because of the draft and some
>> enlisted because they felt it was a duty.  We all had our reasons.  We all
>> had our lives changed, and not always for the better.  Some were 2 years
>> active duty and others made a career of the military and everything in
>> between.  We were and are all Brothers and Sisters in arms though.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Many of us know friends that never came back; or that came back physically
>> but not fully back mentally; or that came back physically “altered”; or
>> that we thought were just fine, then they suddenly “for no reason” turned
>> to drugs, alcohol, or just decided to end it all.  There is no logic or
>> rhyme or reason why they take the option they do.  The Veteran who hears
>> about it, often understands but can’t put it in words.  Sometimes it just
>> triggers emotions long buried, or even emotions that they may have thought
>> were long since left behind.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> So, to my Brothers and Sisters who are fellow Veterans, there are many
>> around you, often ones you don’t even know are there, that have your back,
>> that will help get you back to safety, or simply sit with you if that is
>> all that is needed.  You are never alone.
>> 
>> -- 
>> Enjoy Life By Living In Joy
>> 
>> Well Being Consultant
>> www.rldwbc.com