Letters: June is PTSD Awareness Month

PTSD is a disease just like alcoholism and drug addiction. I have heard the above people with this addiction say, “I have been clean for 238 days,” or, “I have done it, finally, and still going,” a lot in my past. I think that is great.

Well I know, firsthand, that PTSD is also an addiction.

If we can wake up in the morning and not in the free motel, not living on the streets, have a roof over our head, not a drunk or dope addict, have someone to call if we just need to talk, we have gone one more day and can congratulate ourselves. We have also done it.

I also think that living with this is like being married. It is a work-in-progress.

I am a Vietnam Vet and have seen it all and have lived it all, like the other 3 million Vets that served in Vietnam. I also have heard it gets easier with time.

Well, it doesn’t. I know that. I just think that we are just getting immune to it.

SO, for all of you Vets out there, I take my hat off to you. We are all brothers and sisters going through the same thing and we can endure this too. Let’s all live day-by-day. Let’s stick together for our families, friends and be there for one another.

Thank you.

— Royal D. Goodman,

Vietnam Vet,

Madera