Month: June 2012

Retirement May Trigger PTSD in Some Vietnam Vets

Fast Freddy Posts

WASHINGTON — It took Sam Luna more than 35 years to get treatment for his post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I didn’t realize anything was wrong,” the combat-wounded Vietnam veteran said. “I thought I had adjusted well after I came back. I had a job, I had a family, everything looked great from the outside.”

But shortly after he retired in 2004, his anxiety attacks and stress levels increased. A trip to his local Veterans Affairs hospital triggered war memories. The former soldier started to notice the hair-trigger temper his wife had complained about for years.

He found himself thinking more often about the war — and the friends he lost. Continue reading →

Army Day at Fort Sam Houston

Fred Childs Posts , ,

Did you know that Army Day and Flag Day are both celebrated on June 14?

On the morning of June 14 about 6:00am outside of  our hotel on the first day of our reunion there were Army Platoons doing PT running in the street between the hotel and The Alamo.  Carrying banners, shouting cadence and waking us up.

Bill French writes:

Thanks to a fortuitous early morning walk by Ron and Carol Draper the 2012 Reunion attendees were invited to the Retreat Ceremony In Honor of the Army’s 237th Birthday by the Commanding General of 5th U.S. Army and Fort Sam Houston.

While Ron and Carol Draper were taking an early morning walk around the Alamo they were approached by Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, the Commanding General, 5th US Army and Fort Sam Houston when General Caldwell noticed Ron’s Vietnam Veteran cap.  General Caldwell and a group of Fort Sam Houston Soldiers were assembled at the Alamo in preparation for a celebratory run to Fort Sam Houston in observance of the Army Anniversary. When General Caldwell learned of our reunion from Ron and Carol he extended an invitation to the entire group to attend the reception and retreat.

The retreat was held at the Quadrangle, Fort Sam Houston, Texas which houses the 5th Army Headquarters from 1300 to 1700 hours, June 14, 2012.  Several members of the General’s staff and other attendees joined the C/D Company reunion attendees in conversation prior to the ceremony, making us feel welcome and appreciated for our service in Vietnam.  It was evident from the conversations we share common experiences regardless of the time and place of our service.

The retreat ceremony started with the traditional Streamer Ceremony where Battle Streams for each important action are attached to the US Army flag guidon by a soldier dressed in the uniform of the U.S. Army for that period.  Following the invocation and remarks by General Caldwell the Retreat to Colors was held, complete with a gun salute.

Following the ceremony we were all invited to the 5th U.S. Army Headquarters for refreshments. General Caldwell personally presented the 5th U.S. Army challenge coin to several attendees.  This was truly a unique experience for everyone who attended.

Where are the Jungle Boots?
Challenge Coin – note who it is from…
John, Carol, Ron, Ray
Ron and Carol meeting the General
Ron and Carol with the General

Army Offers Free Document Service

Fred Childs Posts

The Army’s Human Resources Service Center offers a free service to troops, veterans, military retirees and their family members who need help retrieving information to support claims for entitlements or benefits.

The Center’s operations officer says that many people pay private companies to locate such things as discharge papers or other military records, a service the Center provides at no charge.

“We are here to assist as many people as we can, but the thing is they don’t know about us and that is a shame,” Andrew Dennison said.

All requests must be accompanied by a signed Standard Form 180.

For more information call 1-888-276-9472, email askhrc.army@us.army.mil or access https://www.hrc.army.mil, then click on ASK HRC in the right column.

SOURCE: VFW Magazine June/July 2012