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Joined: Jun 2001
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2001
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Give him emotional support and don't force the issue. Does he have any injuries? TBI or any other diagnoses? Is he medicated currently or seeing anyone? Keep him busy, don't take him drinking ect. Anything particular he is not adjusting too? Is he married or have kids? Take all that into account.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
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I know perfectly well what the young fella is going through. He absolutely HAS TO have someone he can actually talk to about what he saw. PM me tomorrow Sam.
Be afraid,be VERY VERY afraid ad triarios redisse My Buddy eh76 speaks authentic Frontier Gibberish!
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Joined: May 2011
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 56,414 Likes: 11 |
I wish you and him the best Sam. I don't believe a 12 step program is the answer to a renewed hope in life.
I mean this very sincerely and do not want to sound preachy, but I honestly believe with all my heart that the real change occurs when a man accepts Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
No other change can satisfy the broken man. It's super-natural and beyond explanation, but is true and real.
.
_______________________________________________________ An 8 dollar driveway boy living in a T-111 shack
LOL
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,594 Likes: 28
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,594 Likes: 28 |
I wish you and him the best Sam. I don't believe a 12 step program is the answer to a renewed hope in life.
I mean this very sincerely and do not want to sound preachy, but I honestly believe with all my heart that the real change occurs when a man accepts Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
No other change can satisfy the broken man. It's super-natural and beyond explanation, but is true and real.
. Well stated.
βIn a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.β β George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 22,256 Likes: 16 |
I know perfectly well what the young fella is going through. He absolutely HAS TO have someone he can actually talk to about what he saw. PM me tomorrow Sam. What Jim said. Just leave the VA out of it(for now). It's almost an insult sometime. Good luck Sam.
---------------------------------------- I'm a big fan of the courtesy flush.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
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When I got out the first time I did not speak with anyone who was not a veteran, except for one loyal friend, for nine years. The Command Sergeant Major of the State of California described me as the worst case he has ever seen of someone trying to transition from the Regular Army to the Cal Guard. Nine more years have passed and I have a new family and career so I am forced to interact with people who do not understand me nor care to even try. I am still dismissed as a "nut" for serving. Too many civilians do not even care. They write off anyone as stupid if they volunteer to suffer with little economic reward. I stopped trying to explain and now just say, "If I have to explain it to you, you just do not get it." I am grateful for the people who do understand, who do care, or who do quietly "get it." The Fire has been a sanctuary for me for awhile. So please don't push him to "blend back in." Give him you love and check to see if his friends, if he has any, are good and supporting, or not and destructive. Try to steer some good people his way. If it helps, tell him he is not alone. I did not have any positive encounters with the VA's counseling office. Find him some good men like him. I thank you for even caring about him. Good luck.
Me solum relinquatis
Molon Labe
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New Member
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Sorry for butting in but...Only Pete knows what is eating at him and a few hundred thousand other guys.
I was for many a very strong, hard working, good providing man. Thirty six years after I was involved in a war, I just broke down one day and started crying. I was in my 50s.
Do not let Pete make the same mistake...If you cannot talk to him find another Vet who has been where he has and get them together. Not a Group, just one guy.
Call a Vet Center and they can help if you cannot find someone. 13 years later I am doing okay but it took a while. Talking to a fellow Vet is just the first step but it is a step in the right direction.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2011
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I wish you and him the best Sam. I don't believe a 12 step program is the answer to a renewed hope in life.
I mean this very sincerely and do not want to sound preachy, but I honestly believe with all my heart that the real change occurs when a man accepts Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
No other change can satisfy the broken man. It's super-natural and beyond explanation, but is true and real.
. If you don't want to sound preachy, then don't preach. The born again vultures hang around enough base front gates to have them as common as hookers and pawn shops, and about as welcomed.
America needs to understand that our troops are not 'disposable'. Each represents a family; Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts... Our Citizens are our most valuable treasure; we waste far too many.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,845 Likes: 13 |
I really appreciate all the thoughts and help here. It's what makes the 'fire a special place. When I get up to Birmingham, I'll go over this information with Petey. He is not in distress, that I know of. He has a job, joined the Alabama Guard, and has friends. What he does NOT have, is the ability to just slip back into his old life, with folks that don't share his experiences. He has, well, some 'issues' dealing with people now. I have a much better idea of how to talk to him now, and I know his family and I can make a difference with him. again............thanks
Sam......
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
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I wish I could give you some ideas Sam but I got nothing, I do wish you and him the best of luck and will pray for him. If you get a chance please thank him for his service for me. AMEN that.
George Orwell was a Prophet, not a novelist. Read 1984 and then look around you!
Old cat turd!
"Some men just need killing." ~ Clay Allison.
I am too old to fight but I can still pull a trigger. ~ Me
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Your nephew is obviously one of the good guys and was raised right. You've had good advice here. Godspeed.
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty of give me death! P. Henry
Deus vult!
Rhodesians all now
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,198 Likes: 3 |
I wish I could give you some ideas Sam but I got nothing, I do wish you and him the best of luck and will pray for him. If you get a chance please thank him for his service for me. Ditto here.. I got nothin' either, but am reading Chris Kyle's book again and he relates how difficult it was to 'calm down' when he was back home, driving, and people would cut him off.. Said he wanted to chase 'em down, run 'em off the road etc, etc...'.. Sounds like your nephew is in the same boat.. My very best wishes off to you..
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I'll second this advice. This organization does what many others cannot. It gives veterans a renewed sense of purpose. Get him all the help you can. We lose about 25 veterans EVERY DAY to suicide (literally one per hour, every day of the year). If he wants to still use some of his skills to do good work/service, get him in touch with these folks: http://www.teamrubiconusa.org/
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,084 |
Don't take this wrong but
He may need to talk to someone... a Professional
No shame in that
Better sooner than later
Tom
That which does not kill us makes us stronger
Friedrich Nietzsche
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,845 Likes: 13
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,845 Likes: 13 |
Don't take this wrong but
He may need to talk to someone... a Professional
No shame in that
Better sooner than later
Tom I could not agree more. Even some of you guys might have realized that I am not a mental health care professional. All I want to do is start a dialog. To get Pete thinking. To get him to realize that within his grasp, are brothers, folks who care. Folks that have been where he has been, and are willing to talk. Some of those folks ARE professionals, and have expertise in dealing with just his sort of issues. That is what I am seeking to kick start, a process.
Sam......
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,084
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 10,084 |
Don't take this wrong but
He may need to talk to someone... a Professional
No shame in that
Better sooner than later
Tom I could not agree more. Even some of you guys might have realized that I am not a mental health care professional. All I want to do is start a dialog. To get Pete thinking. To get him to realize that within his grasp, are brothers, folks who care. Folks that have been where he has been, and are willing to talk. Some of those folks ARE professionals, and have expertise in dealing with just his sort of issues. That is what I am seeking to kick start, a process. You are a good man
That which does not kill us makes us stronger
Friedrich Nietzsche
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16,917 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 16,917 Likes: 1 |
Take him with you on one your outdoor adventures, Sam.
Lots of quiet time and solitude on a hiking trail to get a good dialogue going between the two of you.
Share a campfire with him as well.
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Posts: 3,593 Likes: 6
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,593 Likes: 6 |
"Somehow, the sound of a shotgun tends to cheer one up" -- Robert Ruark
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317 |
Yup, I'd take him and some of his buddies on a week or month long fishing/campging/hiking/exploring trip to just decompress in nature and away from the craziness of this modern world.
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