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MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA - IT'S NO LAUGHING MATTER

In 1984, I enlisted into the United States Army, like my step-father and father before me; I was very proud to serve my country.
I am not here to bash the military, or its veterans. Unlike combat vets that live a nightmare that I will never know, I live a nightmare that many vets will never know.
I am a survivor of MST. In case you do not know what that means, it stands for Military Sexual Assault.
My assault was not simply touching or intimidation; it was forced rape over several weeks. Due to those assaults, and the threats of death, I left the military.
Survivors of MST suffer PTSD and many other symptoms such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, trust issues, and many other emotionally-dibilitating illensses that takes years, if ever, to overcome, or learn to deal with.
Many have attempted suicide, or have killed themselves.
Like our brothers and sisters that are combat vets, survivors of MST live with a nightmare that we wish would go away.
It has ruined my life -
Please, support those who, even though they have not served in a combat role, still suffer the trauma of what our fellow soldiers did to us.
They not only ruined the lives of those they assaulted, they ruined careers as well.

Anonymous
Ft. Pierce, FL

heroes in my family

I am new to this site but I support the veterans. I have a nephew and a second cousin who both went into the military last summer I am very proud of their courage.

Deborah
Eureka, CA

Vietnam a political war.

I served in Vietnam, I had enlisted right after graduating from high school. I served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. I was proud to serve my country for all the military veterans that served before me made it possible to live in the United States my home.

The only problem was that the politicians were the ones that caused us to lose that conflict, since it hasn't been declared a war yet, but we lost more men in Vietnam then in WWII. My brother and I tried to get a farm VA loan for we both served in Vietnam. We were told we didn't qualify for it was not a war only a conflict. Yet our government gave to the boat people from Vietnam money to help them get settled in the USA. Just like today the Vet's coming home are finding they no longer have a job or it's hard to find one for there are to many illegal immigrants who are not citizens holding done the jobs. There are more vet's homeless then there is illegal immigrants. Why is this, because of the politicians we have.

I still love the USA the country I was born in. It's an honor to have served and done my part. We came home and were called baby and women killers during that period. Yet during that time how many pregnant young teens drug user were killing their child they were caring, because they were smoking pot.

I say welcome home to all my fellow Vet's from all wars and conflict and thanks for serving to help keep our country free.

DONALD LINDWEDEL
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

The Real Story

As a returning Viet Nam vet I was conflicted over my involvement and really could invite abusiveness from both extremes in the debates about the war. I pointed guns from a Navy destroyer and we killed a lot of people, but never saw the conflict up close and personal like many brothers I have come to know since. A few years ago while in Peru as a missionary I became aware of "The Politically Incorrect History of the Vietnam War" and read it when I could get it back in the US months later. It completed my understanding of the processes that got us there and the processes that "snatched defeat from the jaws of victory". The people that thank us now usually don't understand the war as it was, understand that we "lost it", and share a national guilt for mistreating the people that laid their lives on the line for national purposes that had merit and where if the treaties the US had in place hadn't been defunded by congress the perceptions would be reversed. Few of the people involved long ago or at present understand all that we were caught up in. We have our soldiers and sailors and airmen caught up in similar circumstances now and I am glad that many honor and welcome us all back from the challenges of war We are not losers and may our nation never be.

Anonymous
College Place, WA

The Veteran

This is a poem that I wrote. I am not a vet but I have the greatest respect for our armed forces, past and present.

The Veteran

Every year in November,
On the 11th day,
Our Nation lowers its head to remember,
The ones that had to pay.

The ones that guarded our country,
From enemies without and within,
Standing ever sentry,
From Boston to Berlin.

Many never returned,
From those foreign shores,
But all of them have earned,
The title "Veterans of Foreign Wars".

Many that did come home,
Were never the same as before,
They went to fight and roam,
Upon those foreign shores.

We must honor and cherish them,
Because for us they gave their all,
And for those that would condemn,
We must take them to The Wall.

Remind them that these few,
Sacrificed for us all,
For they are the glue,
That helped this country stand tall.

If we ever feel that we need more,
To convince us they gave their all,
Visit a VA Hospital and walk through the door,
"The Price of Freedom Can Be Found Within These Walls!"

©2015 William M. Ward

William Ward
Tannersville, VA

Returning from The Nam

It was Different then when I came home from the Nam . People were RUDE Spit at Us Cursed Us Hollared at Us and threw Eggs and Tomatoes at us for being baby and women Killers I'll never forget that till the day I die.Today I'm 75 .Now these same people ??? Shake my hand when I wear my Head gear ( hats) or T-Shirts and say Thank You for my Service and I get choked up every time. What a Difference it is now from when i came home from the NAM. Thank You to all who say Thank You for Your Service .I'm Proud to have Served My Country Ret. Major Richard Crayne 101st Airborne Rangers " HOORAH "

Richard Crayne
Detroit, MI

What made war worth fighting for

While serving in the United States Army E5 promotable 3 ID Aviation Brigade, Hunter Army field in Savannah, Ga. I went to war in Iraq stationed in Baghdad. Well, one day while patrolling the streets on foot. I was suddenly stopped by a mother with her young child. The mother had asked me if I would mind taking a picture with her daughter. Of course I said yes. After the picture was taken the mother said to her daughter "one day you can be anything you want just like this female soldier." That made me feel proud! I felt as though I had a purpose. Unlike in the beginning of war. I will never forgot the smiles on their faces and the hope in their eyes.

Shauna LaPan
Fort Walton Beach, FL

My son, my hero. The story of Wayne C. Moore.

Wayne was severely injured in OIF by an IED In 2004. He was the gunner. He was on a mission with the Marine Corps. Wayne had emergency surgery in the field and then was flown to Germany for further treatment. His half-brother lived there and the Marine Corps solider went to get his brother in honor of Wayne's request. We were blessed.

Wayne was transferred to Walter Reed, but we knew he was going to a different hospital. We were notified that he would be transferred to BAMC in San Antonio. His father and I flew from Portland Oregon to San Antonio (we missed our connecting. flight and slept on the floor). We met Wayne when he arrived. His hands were like paper, burned so badly. He had shrapnel everywhere and burned like a sunburn over his entire face and neck. He lost the use of his left arm. He had artery, nerve and muscle surgeries. He had physical therapy for a long time.

After assuring him that I was there I asked for a chaplain to talk to. Afterward, I went to my son's side to hear what the doctor's had to say.

My prayer was that he come home alive. God answered my prayer.

Today, Wayne is 100% medically disabled but ambulatory. He plays a mean game of pool! He was recognized by the Portland Police Dept. for helping an officer take someone into custody.

Amy E. R. Mabry
Hartselle, AL

Ethel Guffey Simpson

My grandmother, my hero, Ethel Guffey Simpson passed away on March 12th. She was 99 years young. She made her final flight home from San Antonio, TX to Charlotte, NC to be laid to rest. My cousin was able to escort her home and kept us up to date during her journey. The connecting flight from Atlanta was what really turned out to be special.

An account of my Grandmother's angel flight home: Before the pilot moved an inch in Atlanta he said, "Folks today you're going to get a history lesson. 70 years ago in June US armed forces invaded Normandy." He went on giving specific dates, numbers and names. And then, "Army flight nurses were right in the midst of the battle and the 806th landed on Normandy 3 days after D Day. We are honored to have one of those nurses with us today. Ethel Guffey Simpson is flying home to Charlotte to be laid to rest with her husband, Col. Richard Wright Simpson, also a WWII veteran. Her family traveling with her asked we say God bless our armed forces and God bless the United States of America." He was choking up the whole time, and when he finished, the plane erupted in applause. I went to thank him after the flight and he handed me my note with his card. And then it made sense. He is Brig. Gen. David McMinn, chief of staff of Texas Air National Guard. No other would have been more fitting to fly a fellow soldier home.

The funeral will be a graveside service with full military honors to be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Sharon Memorial Park, 5400 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28212. Because of my grandmother’s age, she has outlived most of her friends. I am asking a favor for any veterans, active duty military, or proud Americans in the area. If you have time, please come out and join us to celebrate Captain Ethel Guffey Simpson’s life and help us send her off in a manner that she truly deserves.

Lindsey Wolansky
Oak Ridge, NC

Get r done

24 yrs total. 9yrs Navy, 8yrs Air National Guard, rest of the time Army Reserves. Seen the world and enjoyed it all. Stopped serving at 18yrs and my wife kicked my butt to get the rest done. Did my time with the army guard for points only and got retired in 2009 with all the benifits. Thank you to my wife.

Joseph Anders
Lakeland, FL