I am a Vietnam Veteran and first walked through the VA doors for help ten years ago.
I was diagnosed with PTSD and the symptoms of AGENT ORANGE. They prescribed pills and therapy but it is hard to talk to someone that has no clue. The worst thing that a therapist or anyone can say who has not lived our experiences is to say, “I know how you feel.” I was drunk for 43 years and finally got straightened out. I am doing much better now. I live my life now for my 13 year-old Daughter, who I adopted when she was only 3 months old.
I was in Vietnam 67/68/69 on Patrol River Boats (PBRS) on the Mekong Delta in Vihn Long. The worst experience was being shot at and losing members of our squadron. The group picture with the boat shows the aftermath of when the VC sank one of our boats at the pier on February 1, 1968 during TET.
On August 28, 1968, I lost two of my crewmembers when we came under heavy automatic weapon fire by the VC. The second group picture with the Patrol River Boat was not mine but they all look the same. Two of these boats make up one patrol squad. I was on river section 571 on PBR 178 in the Mekong Delta. Our mission was to intercept contraband from Sand Pans and water taxis. The last picture is of my two interpreters and myself in 1968.
We were very unwelcome upon our return home to the states. They called us baby killers and warmongers.
The less we said about our involvement the better off we were.
~ Mike Morman, Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Navy
I would like to give special thanks to Mike Morman for sharing his story with Comes A Soldier’s Whisper where we are all connected and honored to feature our Veterans of the past and present. We encourage you to share your service pictures too.
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