I want to express my appreciation ...for the opportunity to share my WWII experience. It is something that has been very difficult and very painful for me to do.
But I was advised that telling my story may help me to resolve my pain. When a friend came to me encouraging me to put my pain to paper, I found that I had a mission to reach out to others who needed to know that they are not alone. There are many who carry the pain of traumatic memories... wartime and otherwise. I have been surprised to find that there are those who have read my book and have been healed of their own PTSD symptoms.
So many in our nation have forgotten the price that was so willingly paid to preserve this country. And so many are unaware that many wartime veterans continue to pay that price each and every day. In spite of the pain that it causes me, I feel that I must stand up one more time in defense of our nation and her freedoms. If my pain can reawaken your understanding, then my effort would have been worth it.
And a little bit about my partner and companion
I began dating Carol Johnson years ago and, as time went by, she ended up messing up my plans to be a hermit. We began talking about getting married. I warned her about my WWII nightmares...and then held my breath. She listened to what I had to say... paused... and then announced that she could handle it. She helped me to realize that my journey in this life was about a bigger picture than just the problems I faced.
Even now, when I awaken from my regular PTSD nightmares I look around to catch sight of my wife standing beside our bed to stay away from my violent thrashing. She comes to me... as she has so many times before. She reaches out and holds me as I cry uncontrollably in her arms.
We now have three sons, Rodney, Aaron, and Kevin, and four daughters, Nan, Glenda, Roxanne, and Cindy.