Call Us! 1-800-555-5555

Remembering our Military Heroes

Remembering our Military Heroes

 

Watchfires have been a part of U.S. history dating back to the end of the Revolutionary War when General George Washington had signal fires lit along the Hudson River to let people know the war was over. It is said that following a battle or long march, a large fire was started so those missing or lost could locate and rejoin their comrades. Today, the Watchfire also provides the community an opportunity to properly retire unserviceable American flags.

Before the Watchfire is lit, a rifle with bayonet, boots and a helmet symbolizing a fallen soldier is placed in front of the fire.

 A Table set for Five representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard reminds us of the fallen soldiers.  The lemons placed on the table represent the bitterness of lost loved ones along with salt representing the tears of sorrow for those who would never return.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affected many veterans who returned from the war.  Many have gone undiagnosed for years.  Following are the stories of three such affected individuals.

Ernie Matthews was drafted into the army three months after experiencing the loss of his father to suicide.  As the oldest of 7 children he applied for a compassionate deferment but was denied, leaving his family to fend on their own.  Adding to the mental stress, his first assignment in the army was as an escort at the funerals of those killed in action.  Deployed to Vietnam and assigned to a “Search and Destroy” unit, his first Christmas Day was spent digging through a graveyard of bodies looking for a cache of hidden guns.  Then, within a month he found himself promoted from Private First Class to Platoon Leader in a matter of moments when his leaders were killed and he stepped up to take their place, getting shot in the process.

Experiencing these multiple horrific events led to what we now know as PTSD.  Ernie’s PTSD was undiagnosed for many years as he went through life angry and argumentative. For the next 30 years Ernie held many jobs until he found employment at the US Postal Service.  Ernie says it was easier to work there because the “mail doesn’t talk back”.  He could pretty much work solo and then go home after the day was done.  Today, he realizes his untreated PTSD made him live an angry, disgruntled life. He always sat with his back to the wall anywhere he went so he could face the door and see who was entering.  He still jumps nervously when loud, unexpected noises erupt.  Ernie finally found relief from his affliction by getting involved with the PTSD Foundation of America.

Buddy Farina , a Vietnam Veteran, served with the U.S. Navy  and was also diagnosed with PTSD.   He joined the Navy in 1968 and was sent to Vietnam and assigned to a River Patrol Boat group.   Having grown up around boats in Galveston, Texas, this water environment was not foreign to Buddy.  The difference, he found, was having people shoot at him as they patrolled the rivers running through the jungles of Vietnam.

Buddy shared with me that he also suffered from survivor’s guilt.  He recounted the day a group of friends asked him to switch from the forward boat to the last one in the flotilla.  Five minutes later the lead boat hit a mine and everyone was killed.

Over the years Buddy’s survival guilt caused him to think about taking his own life.  What helped Buddy more than anything was his loving, supportive wife.  She is the product of a career military family who understands better than most, the impact of war on America’s soldiers.  Buddy’s involvement in the Vietnam Veterans of America’s Watchfire program has been ongoing for well over 20 years.  It’s his way of giving back to the brotherhood and keeping his own PTSD at bay.

Dave Gillioz, a current volunteer for the Lighthouse Charity Team, served in Vietnam for 18months.  As a member of the Army, Dave recalls the stress.  “You never knew when you went to sleep if you’d wake up”, he said.  His camp was located in Cam Ranh Bay, close to the DMZ, or demilitarized zone, where constant barrages of rockets were launched by the North Vietnamese.

Dave remembers how close he came to dying.  One night the enemy snuck into their camp and poisoned the drinking water.  Five soldiers died that morning before they could figure out the problem.  As part of the engineering group that was building roads through the jungle, he remembers losing many friends to mines, rocket fire and snipers.  Little did he know that the jungles he was working in were sprayed by extreme amounts of pesticide which later would affect the health of most who worked in that 'Agent Orange' environment.  Like many of his fellow soldiers, he too, is uncomfortable in crowds, always sits with his back to the wall and hates the noise of approaching Helicopters.

As I listened to their stories and wrote about their experience, I was haunted to know that I lived through that era with relatively little understanding of how this war affected our brave soldiers.  Just hearing the stories of these individuals, I wondered how many other soldiers are left undiagnosed.  The Watchfire Ceremony is a great place to appreciate the sacrifices made.  Listening to the speech given by Captain James Mehrmann, Director of the PTSD Foundation, I will forever look at Memorial Day with a greater understanding.

As a member of the Lighthouse Charity Team, I am proud of the support we give our veterans.  After attending the Watchfire ceremony, I realize we owe much to survivors like Dave, Ernie, Buddy and all the brave individuals who put their lives on the line for our freedom.  Remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while honoring those who are still with us, the Lighthouse Charity Team stands side by side ready to support them in whatever they need.

Lorraine Grubbs is an author, speaker and business coach.  She works with companies to promote and create 'Happy Workplaces'. You can learn more about what she does at www.lorrainegrubbs.com