Vietnam, I was there in 1968/69.
This is me in a guard tower, M-16 in hand keeping a look out for V.C. The Air Force Security police were the first Air Force Combat veterans with boots on the ground in any war.
There is a detailed display of this at Wright Patterson AFB, in Fairborn Ohio. It’s worth a visit. I was in the 35th Combat Support Group, Phan Rang AFB, Feb 1968>69. We were hit with rockets the first night. Some how I remember TET, and sometimes it’s cloudy. I do remember the dead enemy soldiers, ground infiltration, and Spooky firing the Quad 30 caliber guns near the front gate. It looked like the fourth of July. Every 5th round was a tracer. Charlie was about to bust through the main gate.
If I hadn’t sought help from the VA here in Dover, Delaware, I probably would never have contacted anyone about Nam. I can talk about some things now, there are also some things that are still blacked out. At times when a buddy of mine, Johnny Sullivan brings up certain things, what he tells me brings back a little more painful memories. I still shed tears when visiting the Vietnam wall in D.C. and feel anxiety at the memorial in Dover. I remember, a soldier who was in country during war and will never forget some of the experiences.
After a soldier is home, they are still in country. It never goes away. The VA has helped me manage PTSD, through therapy since 2005. In 2010, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer from exposure to Agent Orange. The prostate had to be removed, then radiation therapy, now residual issues with my bladder. There’s no end to it, Nam stays with us one way or another. I can I honestly share internal scratches with many.
Jenny, if you want to share my story, it’s fine with me. The fact that I was fortunate enough to be in touch with you and read other veteran’s memories has brought a little light back into my life. I have been inspired about what I’ve read so far in VIETNAM & BEYOND, Veteran Reflections www.VietnamAndBeyond.com Some of the memories of Jimmy remind me of my tour in Nam. I couldn’t talk about Vietnam for 36 years.
After I retired in 2003, I had a lot more time on my hands, started having dreams about things I thought I’d forgotten. I turned to alcohol to forget but the day dreams, the sound of choppers, aircraft noise and fire sirens became even worse and more frequent. I finally got help From The Dover DE. V.A. in 2005 and still in counseling for PTSD, but stopped drinking 6 years ago.
The memories remain but are easier to live with.
~ Sgt. James P. O’Connor USAF Security Police, VIETNAM VETERAN 1966 – 1970.
Comes A Soldier’s Whisper is deeply grateful for all of the men and women who serve to keep us safe from harm’s way and especially thankful for Sgt. James P. O’Connor sharing his service and story with Comes A Soldier’s Whisper where we are all connected.
We Honor History and Veterans: www.JennyLasala.com
