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As I watch Trump once again insult injured veterans, and those who sacrificed everything, I want to share a story that shakes me to my core every time I think of it.
It’s about a family friend
At 19 or so, he went to Vietnam.
Army.
Never talks about it. But it’s…
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As I watch Trump once again insult injured veterans, and those who sacrificed everything, I want to share a story that shakes me to my core every time I think of it.
It’s about a family friend
At 19 or so, he went to Vietnam.
Army.
Never talks about it. But it’s…
1/
…clear he saw and experienced horrific, traumatizing things while there.
He came home, worked hard, and raised a family. He’s now retired.
He never even sought help from the VA because he felt that that was for veterans who’d endured injuries and challenges he hadn’t.
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He came home, worked hard, and raised a family. He’s now retired.
He never even sought help from the VA because he felt that that was for veterans who’d endured injuries and challenges he hadn’t.
2/
But recently, his family convinced him to access the VA, so he finally did.
During a health screening, they found that a skin growth was cancerous, and scheduled surgery to remove it.
It was successful
But the real story is what happened when he awoke from anesthesia.
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During a health screening, they found that a skin growth was cancerous, and scheduled surgery to remove it.
It was successful
But the real story is what happened when he awoke from anesthesia.
3/
Nurses told his family that when he awoke, he was alarmed to be in the hospital.
Why?
Because he wanted to know what had happened to put him there, if his tankmates were ok, and he wanted to leave the hospital right away so he could get back out there to be with them.
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Why?
Because he wanted to know what had happened to put him there, if his tankmates were ok, and he wanted to leave the hospital right away so he could get back out there to be with them.
4/
One of the nurses asked this veteran’s family—in the waiting room—if he had served in Vietnam.
“Yes. Why?”
The nurse told the story. And then added: “this happens a lot with Vietnam vets. They wake up and still think they’re there.”
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“Yes. Why?”
The nurse told the story. And then added: “this happens a lot with Vietnam vets. They wake up and still think they’re there.”
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When the veteran’s relatives entered the room, he still was talking as if he was in a hospital in Vietnam, was still asking about his tank mates, and was still eager to leave to rejoin them.
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Think about it:
He was 19.
It’s more than 50 years later.
He’s lived a whole live since returning.
He never talks about it…ever.
But when he comes to after anesthesia, that tour and whatever hell he went through are still so close to the surface, he thinks he’s…
7/
He was 19.
It’s more than 50 years later.
He’s lived a whole live since returning.
He never talks about it…ever.
But when he comes to after anesthesia, that tour and whatever hell he went through are still so close to the surface, he thinks he’s…
7/
…still there. He’s reliving it. His first concern is helping those he served with
It makes me tear up whenever I think about his story.
What we ask of young people.
How much they give.
How even those who return without physical injuries still live with their wartime…
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It makes me tear up whenever I think about his story.
What we ask of young people.
How much they give.
How even those who return without physical injuries still live with their wartime…
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experience (and trauma) the rest of their lives, right under the surface, but often don’t share it with even friends or loved ones.
But it’s all still there.
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But it’s all still there.
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And I think of this veteran when I see and hear appalling comments from Donald Trump, like those he made yesterday, and has made before, that show that just under HIS surface is a shocking lack of respect for those who serve our country
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His lack of appreciation and respect runs so deep, the man can’t help but letting it spill out. Privately. Publicly. And directly to people who’ve served.
And what he said yesterday about national heroes who were injured or killed serving this nation is beyond the pale.
And what he said yesterday about national heroes who were injured or killed serving this nation is beyond the pale.
Trump is unworthy of this veteran, and all the other veterans who have served our nation, been wounded in that service, or paid the ultimate sacrifice.
And he is certainly unworthy of leading this country, or the very forces he so disrespects.
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And he is certainly unworthy of leading this country, or the very forces he so disrespects.
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Every Republican supporter of his should be asked their views of those comments.
And if they do anything but reject them unconditionally, they too are unworthy of public service.
Veterans like my friend deserve so much more.
END
And if they do anything but reject them unconditionally, they too are unworthy of public service.
Veterans like my friend deserve so much more.
END
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