Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

This morning while reading overnight e-mails, I read one I would probably delete. The title intrigued me, a simple “Goodbye Vietnam.” Curiosity got the best of me, so I opened and read.

Just a brief, “hope you will listen.” And so, I clicked:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ASETse4oNlI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This video is written by a war hero. It is a compelling story of “A highly decorated soldier’s story of becoming free of the nightmares and sleepless nights caused by post traumatic stress disorder from combat in Viet Nam. Once suicidal, medicating on alcohol and drugs is now free from it all and is looking forward to a new life after over 40 years of PTSD.”

As most of my readers know, I hold a special place of my heart for veterans, especially the Vietnam Veterans. My husband is finally proud to say he served in Vietnam. He suffers terribly with nightmares and PTSD. Sudden noises, even the simple slamming of a car door, or a household door, startles him. For many years, when he heard these noises, he would ‘hit the ground.’ If he saw someone wearing a pointed straw hat, he rushed away. Fireworks traumatized him. The scenarios could continue, but you’ll simply have to listen to this video and pay close attention to recognize only a bit of what our precious soldiers endure with a war. Still to this day, I cannot understand it. When my husband gets in a rage and attacks me verbally, I close myself away, knowing that ‘this too shall pass.’ When he is truly angry, I hear, “It don’t mean nothing!” I’ve grown to hate that expression, knowing full well, “It don’t mean nothing” is his way of shutting down in hopes his anger, rage and verbal attacks will pass.

Please share this video with your precious soldiers and veterans. Perhaps they will not want to watch it. If that is the case, do yourself a favor and listen to it. Have tissues nearby. Tears are dancing inside my eyes while writing this. While I cannot understand what happened, as the wife who has comforted, held, and listened to my husband talking about “the V-C” and “Charlie” has taught me to be appreciative that I have stayed to make our marriage work. Only 1% of the Vietnam era marriages survived. No, we do not know what they experienced, but I am proud to say, “Thank you for your service. I hope America learned from Vietnam.” Watch the video, “Goodbye Vietnam”

Have a great week and hug your veteran!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ASETse4oNlI&feature=youtube_gdata_player