A native of Coshocton OH, I am a published poet, writer, and the author of five books and two other

Dr. Amato was chief of that department. I became his test subject for new antidepressants because none of them had much effect on me. I test drove every new drug that became available, as I went through the 90-day inpatient PTSD program. At the end, he asked my advice on how to improve it, and actually boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons implemented my advice in the program. On the tenth anniversary of The Wall in 1992, I visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, through the Vet Center as a part of Operation Freedom Bird. A brief history of Operation Freedom Bird : In 1988, Pat Lynch, a young America West Airlines pilot, who also flew choppers in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam, put a suggestion in a suggestion box. He felt that someone boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons should sponsor a yearly trip for Vietnam Vets to Washington DC to The Wall. Pat felt it would help their healing process in dealing with PTSD issues that had plagued them since their return from the War. The men chosen boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons each year would be members of the Vet Center's Combat PTSD weekly groups, and chosen by facilitators from several different boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons Vet Centers, including Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, and Columbus, OH, to name just a few.
The funding, at the time I went, came from America West Airlines for the plane ride, and The Hilton for the lodging. I don t remember who paid for our meals and setup the luncheons and other activities. We basically boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons just showed up, and didn't worry about anything else except dealing with our issues for three days.
While we were there, a friend and I were the focus of a local news team that was following our trip. For three days, we enjoyed a kind of celebrity status, including being guests at a luncheon with General Hal Moore and Joe Galloway who were there to publicize their new book, "We were Soldiers boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons Once and Young". During the narration, the entire boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons audience was brought to tears.
Each part of the poem below was a step in my partial recovery from the worst part of my PTSD. I chose to tie it in with Memorial Day, because that is one day that changed dramatically throughout my life, a direct result of Vietnam and my recovery from it. When I was a kid, school ended right before Memorial Day and started again right after Labor Day. I wrote the poem on Memorial Day, after finding the website of one of the units I was assigned to in country. While I was on their home page, I thought, how innocent that day used to be, before I went to Nam. Then the meaning changed, because of the war and the therapy I went through. The poem took a half hour to write and tears streamed down my face as I wrote it. I don't really know whether it would be considered boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons a poem, but there is some kind of structure to it. Anyway, I was never very good in English class, so I call it a poem.
I spent about two months doing that, then they assigned me wherever they needed me. I worked as a combat engineer, dump truck driver, a company sniper for a few months, permanent bunker guard, and I was assigned boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons to an Aussie unit for a while. I wound up as an MP on the main gate at Chu Lai, and was one of the last five Americans to leave, after turning it over to the ARVN.
I was among the first Americans to cross the border at the start of the Cambodian Invasion, rappelling out of a chopper with an M-16 over one shoulder and a chainsaw over the other, to chop down enough jungle boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons to land a bulldozer to clear an LZ.
I too am happy you are alive and WELL...... You are a great model for the broken soldier that wants to be whole.... Your story is yours, but thank you for sharing it with the brotherhood, and thank you for your service to our country.... Welcome Home Brother!!!!! boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons Reply Delete CJ Heck May 9, 2014 at 10:22 AM
He did do a great job with the post, Lee, and I thank you for taking the time to comment. Commenting is a wonderful validation that veterans boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons are helping veterans through their writing. Reply Delete Replies Lee Tucker May 9, 2014 at 11:36 AM
We are all different, but all the same..... It takes just a bit to help, and you get so much for it in return.... I will always remember, All of us gave some, but some gave it all.... Delete Reply War Hippy May 9, 2014 at 1:15 PM
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"Sharing can be a way of healing. Grief and loss can isolate, anger even alienate. Shared with others, emotions unite, as we see we aren't alone. We realize others weep with us." ~Susan Wittig Albert
In loving memory of: Douglas "Doc" Scott Kempf Sp4 US Army combat medic 199th LIB D4/12 KIA Vietnam 9/5/1969 The Vietnam Era left a profound footprint on all of us, during the longest war in U.S. history. As a Vietnam War widow, it is my wish to provide a healing place where you can write about anything you want. I encourage you to read what others have written. I invite you to also share your own thoughts, stories, and opinions. And if you're a Vietnam Veteran and you've published a book, I will proudly promote it here on Memoirs From Nam. Email me with "Stories from Nam" or "My Book" in the subject line. cjheck60porsche@gmail.com I'll be waiting to hear from you. With honor and respect, CJ Parrish (Kempf) O'Brien boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons Heck
A native of Coshocton OH, I am a published poet, writer, and the author of five books and two other blogs. I live in The Villages, Florida, with my partner, Robert Cosmar, who is also an author. boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons My Children's Books: Barking Spiders **Read a Preview Barking Spiders 2 (sequel) **Read a Preview Me Too! Preschool boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons Poetry **Read a Preview
May 2014 CJ, Your work is amazing. We have all been there and relive scenes like these all the time. I believe that the rest of the world needs to SEE what we live. CJ, I am humbled by what you are and what you do. Peace Namaste ~Clarence Bopp
December 2010 I've only been following you for a few months now, but I feel like I've known you a lifetime. Kindred spirits? Common upbringing? Whatever the reason, boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons thank you for being you. Thank you for your Vet to Vet blog. Thank you for giving us a place to open up and let the pain out. ~David Westfall
April 2014 CJ, Doug was our brother and as his wife, that makes you our sister. We are always here for you when you are in need. It's not often we get women like you, who have had a personal loss like you have. I personally want to thank you for sharing your thoughts. It's not only cathartic for you to talk about it, it's also cathartic for us to hear. Any time you want, I would be honored to escort you to The Wall in DC. I haven't been there to visit my brothers in many years. It's time for me to go again. Think about it and let me know. Peace be with you my sister. ~Nico Lorris
boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons May 2014 CJ - I want you to kinow how much I like everything you have been posting on this page. Some of it has helped with my PTSD. Please keep up the good work. Nam Vet, Harry Andrus. August 2010 Words that fall gently upon the soul are as silver feathers of hope. We all have buried so much. As these decomposed hurts surface, it is a great gift to have your hand to hold. As we touch, and rest, in each other's open hearts, healing blossoms forth and all else falls away as dust. ~Anonymous August 2010 CJ, Thank you for this website. My husband is a Vietnam Vet and will be sending you some stories. He also likes what you have done here. ~ Nancy Payne Shivers
May 2014 Either knowingly or not, and I am sure you do know, you have helped us (me for sure) by asking the question, "Do You Still Think About Vietnam?" We are one. Here's a hug. God bless you. ~James H.
May 2014 CJ does a wonderful job with Memoirs From Nam. For years I have written about the bad times and the good times I spent in country. Several times she has posted those things I wrote. It's good not only to write but also read what you have written. Somehow it gives us strength to overcome those deep hidden problems. CJ, you keep posting, because I for one will be a faithful follower. Semper Fi. ~Dave Ramsey
May 2014 This series of extremely well written articles are truly 'must reads' for all vets; most especially boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons Vietnam vets. I share them with my dad (a Nam vet) who enjoys them very much. My dad is 88 years old. These vets are aging, we can't let their stories get lost. We can't let the kids think Hollywood's boston apartment rentals boston apartments commons version, or Jane Fanda's ilk, is what Nam and our brave soldiers were like and about. Please read, share, and help preserve these stories. ~Heather Anthony