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| THE INVISIBLE PURPLE HEART | ||||||||||||||
| I've been wounded for so long that I could not see it myself. The day by day events of killing and seeing death has taken it's toll. I went to Vietnam a young 18 year old and came back a very old 19! Now I can look back and see that fact, sad as it makes me. There are no bullet holes to show you, no missing limbs. The wound I have was ME! It's the loss of what I could have been that was lost in Vietnam! I'm not what I had hopes to be as a kid. I find myself liking to be by myself or down my basement for long periods of time. I do not get along with many or even care too! | ||||||||||||||
| I still close my eyes at night and see all those Nam-Mares. I find myself still not forgetting or forgiving my County, State, Family and friends. To me they could have cared less one way or the other if I came back alive! I don't know if I will ever be able to accept what was done to me and my fellow Vietnam Veterans and just go on. | ||||||||||||||
| All I've written above is to show and explain why P.T.S.D. is my Invisible Purple Heart. I was terminally wounded in Vietnam and there are many times when I wish it had been quick, for those on the WALL are at rest! | ||||||||||||||
| BY Chaplain Howard Flexer | ||||||||||||||
| D.A.V. | ||||||||||||||
| NOTE:Written 2/19/92 to 4/10/93 Read on video "THROUGH MY EYES" | ||||||||||||||