Question for War Veterans: Do you think about your war experience every day of your life? (joining, military) - Military Life and Issues -Relocation, families, vets, bases, Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, VA loans - City-Data Forum

FFestus · 12-04-2010, 04:59 AM

Do you remember your war experience every single day of your life?

stillkit · 12-04-2010, 07:12 AM

Yes.

Not too long after I got back from Vietnam, an old WWII Vet told me that would happen and he was right.

chucksnee · 12-04-2010, 08:16 AM

Nope....that is over....

Does it bother me....nope.....

can I recall it? Yep....

I remember driving past hundreds of dead bodies, actually zig-zaging around them to get where we needed to go....does not bother me.....

Steve Bagu · 12-04-2010, 10:39 AM

As a vet from WW11 and a combat vet from Korea I do have memories which is normal but dwelling on it...NOPE.

There are better things in life that need more positive thinking.

No need to lose sleep over past deeds...good or bad.

stycotl · 12-07-2010, 08:37 PM

i don't think about it all of the time, but i know that it is still with me everyday. i still have anger issues and stuff, but i can live with it. i am proud of my actions in iraq, and the satisfaction and peace that i have because of my choices make it easier to deal with the lack of humanity that i remember so fondly...

it helps to talk about it, especially with others that have been there. find some other vets and swap stories. always gets the boiler to cool off a bit.

Balad1 · 12-08-2010, 04:50 PM

I don't think of it everyday but it affects me everyday. Some will understand what I mean; combat and prolonged high stress changes you.

stillkit · 12-08-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bagu

As a vet from WW11 and a combat vet from Korea I do have memories which is normal but dwelling on it...NOPE.

There are better things in life that need more positive thinking.

No need to lose sleep over past deeds...good or bad.

Having it cross your mind or having something like a smell, a sound or an image bring back a recall isn't the same thing as dwelling on it.

Steve Bagu · 12-08-2010, 06:13 PM

Dwelling is the same as constant thinking of the past experiences. Some are good and some are " dang that Mortor was close" bad.

I'm here today so things were lucky for me.

Souvenier I have is stomach problems that have plagued me since 1952. Call it the food...incoming rounds...movements of the brush at night when pulling guard duty knowing that the Chinese had infiltrated the infantry in front of our position area and lobbed mortor rounds that almost got me.

Do I think about the war experience everyday of my life? Heck No...I would have been dead long ago if I had.

Do not believe a War Vet would ask such a question...only a non military person.

FFestus · 12-12-2010, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bagu

Do not believe a War Vet would ask such a question...only a non military person.

You are right, I am not a war vet.

I asked the question because I've considered the option of joining the military and to be honest I'm less concerned about dying in the field than dealing with psychological trauma if I come back home in one piece.