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Command Post What is this?
Posted on Jul 27, 2015
SrA Donna Patrick
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SGT Ben Keen
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Edited 10 y ago
The loneliness can often continue after the deployment. More often than not, we return to our homes but feel more like an outcast than a father, husband, wife, mother, son or daughter. We find it hard to relate to others that didn't just spend 6, 12, 18 months in the combat zone. Our families may find it hard to talk to us while we as Veterans often circle our wagons and refuse to let others see our inner struggle.

For me, this is one of the reasons I turned to the bottle. Capt Morgan always could understand what I was thinking and often would remove the pain from my mind for a short period of time. So I found myself drinking more and more to extend that time. It wasn't until I saw the pain in the face of children as they were left disappointed knowing daddy couldn't play with them, that he would rather drink than spend time with them.

Sometimes it takes a huge life changing moment to make Veterans reach out for help, to open the doors and lower the walls allowing others in and combating loneliness. It could be writing a post like this, or just getting together with a life long friend. Whatever it is, I feel its up to each Veteran to remember, he or she is not alone. You just need to be willing to ask.
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Thank you for your perspective. Very well "spoken."
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SrA Donna Patrick awesome advise. Sounds like you've "been" there and took "corrective" action. God bless you and your family, have a Happy Thanksgiving. De Oppresso Liber. :-)
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