A soldier's search for serenity marred by the ghosts of Iraq

CNN ^ | May 23, 2011 | Moni Basu

[MinorityRepublican]

The war at home

On a winter's day, Wendy Parham drove her husband from a Georgia military hospital back home to Social Circle, Georgia. He stared out the window at the tall pines that line Interstate 20 -- and cried.

Wendy thought he was overwhelmed by the greenery after so many months in the Iraqi dust. He kept searching the road, watching for other cars. He cringed when they hit a bump or saw dead animals, which were used as booby traps in Iraq.

At home, he couldn't sleep through the night. Sleeping meant his guard was down. And that meant nightmares.

Sometimes, he encountered dead insurgents in his dreams. But when he pulled the scarves off their heads, he peered into the faces of his fallen friends.

Thousands of other veterans were struggling with post-combat stress issues. Spc. Shane Parham was not alone, but he felt that way.

He had left behind the battlegrounds of Iraq, but the war at home was just beginning.

[Traveler59]

We all brought our demons back with us. With the help of family and friends, I managed to conquer mine. However, my wifes alarm clock had to go... Sounded too much like the alarm for an incoming mortar/rocket attack.

[MinorityRepublican]

Vietnam?

[Paul46360]

I went to the CNN site to read the story and postings..this one reminded me of what the called my brother in 'Nam:
EhsanJan "All babykillers have similar psycological issues after the killing. They are being haunted by th esouls of the innocent children...."

[DakotaRed]

And, when will you ever see articles of a returning Vet who starts a successful business? Saves lives during a disaster? Does anything good and decent for the community?

Just like after we came home from Vietnam, we changed from being “drug addicted, baby killing, walking time bomb, deranged Viet Nam Veterans” to “VICTIMIZED” “drug addicted, baby killing, walking time bomb, deranged Viet Nam Veterans” after the success of the Rambo movies.

And it continues.

Get these guys that really need help the help they need, but how about showing too that many return to go on and do great things.

[Traveler59]

Vietnam?

Iraq.

[onona]

Yeah. I still wake up screaming 3-4 times a year. My wife has to shake me awake. I laughed it up when I knew the kids heard.

I raised my babies, stayed married, kept a good job, had/have fun hobbies, all that and a bag of chips.

That’s life I guess. Who ya gonna complain to ?

[jesseam]

Fourth of July fireworks are the worst for me.

[Traveler59]

I kept my sense of humor. It helped in ways no shrink could ever do. My daughters didn't mention much when I was around, kind of like I was a ticking time bomb. When I started the practical jokes again they figured I was back to normal (relative term in this house). That was until the youngest daughter found the picture of me standing next to an 81mm rocket that was buried in the mud. It didn't detonate because the ground was too soft. She looked at me and said; “You didn't tell us everything, did you.” I said “Nope, there is a time and place. This isn't either.”

[TaMoDee]

The only time it bothered me is when my neighbor and I collided at the entrance to our mutually constructed and shared bunker. :>)

[DakotaRed]

Baxter Black, So Lucky To be an American

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0rQzUVQjd8

[Amberdawn]

My own 2c says read “Stolen Valor”.

[DakotaRed]

I have, and several others as well.

[onona]

That’s funny right there...thanks for the laugh

[Justa]

I still get very nervous in traffic jams.

[jongaltsr]

We all brought our demons back with us. With the help of family and friends, I managed to conquer mine.

Three things to remember -
1. In time those demons (can) come back.
2. Your brain is still affected. You have to continue to fight back.
3. Like us VietNam vets you still have to deal with the attitudes of the "Lefties" who will never give you a break

Oh yes - "Welcome home".

[OL Hickory]

nail guns being used...or fireworks set me off

[jongaltsr]

nail guns being used...or fireworks set me off

yep
car backfiring, someone walking out from behind an isle in the store etc.
- even a dog barking or almost anything making noise when you are asleep or relaxed.
I bet we could name all kind of things.

[Amberdawn]

It should be required reading in schools.

[DakotaRed]

A couple others worth reading are “Unheralded Victory” by Mark Woodruff and “This Time We Win” by James Robbins