Posted on Oct 9, 2015
Capt Mark Strobl
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Too often we read about service members who haven't successfully transitioned out of the ranks. But, a lot of vets move quietly among us. They have a story. Some have fears. Some still need our support. And some just surprise us.

Jonathan Hagedorn has "come home." He stands as an example to all of us.

Welcome Home, Marine!

http://thetab.com/us/brown/2015/10/07/from-the-marine-corps-to-brown-meet-the-freshman-afghan-vet-158
Posted in these groups: 5a9f5691 CollegeAir combat art 0134 Combat
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Responses: 4
SFC Motor Transport Operator
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those who seen s#!t while in combat will not be "Home" any time soon, unless they seek serious counceling. i know im not home yet.
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LCDR Sales & Proposals Manager Gas Turbine Products
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Edited 9 y ago
Bacc5b6c
Wow...difficult one to address.

Among the numerous after-shocks of war, is the lingering effect on the survivors. Those who saw combat deal with the memories of that experience...those who lost friends, attempt to cope with the loss and possible "survivor's guilt"...those who served, but saw little, may feel a sense of having left something undone, and have difficulty coming to terms with it.

It took me a few years to "come home".

There I was, standing alongside two friends I had served with in two different AOs, waiting for the woman who agreed to marry me to come down the aisle. The three of us walked in to the bagpipes playing "Bonnie Dundee" ...after a brief moment of silence, Mary Fahl's "I'm Going Home" from Gods and Generals played.

The three of us stood there, and one by one...struggled to hide the emotions spanning the last decade or so of our lives. "Tater", a third friend...was there only in spirit. I left that church with a new mission and a new life-That's when I "came home".
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SSG James Arlington
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You can never go home, if you know the aphorism.
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