Can you describe how you felt coming home from a deployment or combat?

Relieved and sad. Relieved to have elbow room and be in my own spaces again. Sad because the only place I've ever really felt at home was when I was on or under the water.

I remember landing at Travis AFB late at night and being greeted by my best friend and his wife which was exciting to see someone from “home”. I got a ride to the apartment where my Mother lived but she was out of town. I tried the key she left for me but it didn’t work! I found the kitchen window open and started to climb inside and noticed the furniture was different and then a light came on from the bedroom so I got out. I found that my mom had moved to a different apt. Then the mgr called and asked if I just got home from Vietnam and did I try to get in the old apartment. I said yes then she told me the lady inside was scared and pulled out a gun to defend herself. Great! I come home from Vietnam and then almost get shot in what I thought to be my Mother’s apt. The next day my friend and I went for pizza, I remember telling him “a week ago I was making airdrops at Khe Sanh under extreme ground fire and now I’m eating pizza at Shakeys Pizza. No time to decompress and at that time the Air Force had no adjustment programs or discussion about PTSD. I was just supposed readjust and get ready for my next duty station, which I did. I just blocked out that time as just another life experience and moved on. It wasn’t until 35 years later that I learned about the demons that live inside you after war. I always maintained the philosophy that other people had it worse so I never talked to anyone or said anything about how I felt or the negative experiences I had while in Vietnam. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with PTSD and have been in therapy on and off since 2004. It two years to finally file a claim and when I received my initial reward, I told my counselor I drug my feet for two years because I thought it would increase my taxable income. She said “You drug your feet because you didn’t think you deserved compensation”. She was right!

very angry after being spit on at the airport and having a drink thrown in my face and called a murderer by a women at a party

I was really glad to get home, but regretted leaving so many good friends.

I was very excited and thankful to be home.

A lot of anxiety seeing the coast of California. We had just been halfway around the world. We traveled Asia, through the Persian Gulf. We visited many ports, and even helped with the government coup in the Philippines. It was a beautiful thing when we were coming into port, and there were boats following us with signs. People sounding off mega horns, and everybody was very happy. When I was finally on land again, I literally got on my hands and knees and kissed my country right on its pier at 32nd St. Naval Base. That was the second most memorable day. The day I exited my service, I walked out onto The quarterdeck of the ship. I advise the officer of the deck of my intentions, and requested permission to be bonged off the ship. As the officer of the deck made the announcement just before evening colors. Sonar Technician, John E.Geralds II Sonar Technician United States Navy - Departing, Ding! I turned away and looked across the bow and as I crossed it I stopped and turned around, I reached in my pocket and I tossed them a quarter. And I announced, "Thanks for the ride.."

Now to all of you lonely pollywogs and sea creatures, it's your turn to guard the seas. Because this Shellback of the Golden Realm is enjoying life now till the end. Loving it too!

Left Behind, and very hard to catch up with family, friends.

Lost, scared, overwhelmed. Combat and deployments have a way of making life more real. Living in a bubble in America makes you see how the rest of the world is. How people really struggle, what truly make those with nothing happy. Seeing what we take for granted here is nothing compared to most of the world.

I felt reborn. I was a Marine in the Korean War in 1950. I was in combat for 5 months and twIce spent time in Hospitals in Japan from wounds. At first combat was like in a movie, then a little scary and finally I was fatalistic. I had about eight experiences where I escaped being wounded or killed. I was coming back to the USA and getting married to my high school sweetheart. The world went from black & white to technicolor.

Just take it easy… when coming home you must allow yourself to umwinde and get used to home again. For any issues, seek help as soon as you can! Don’t let the feelings you push down compound. Seek counseling! Otherwise you may lose your family in the process!