THE WAR ENDED, BUT THE MEMORIES REMAINED
When I returned from Vietnam, it all hit me hard. The memories of lost brothers and the bonds we shared wouldn’t leave me, nor would the images of the evil we witnessed. There was no escaping the anger or the depression. I couldn’t take criticism or listen to advice. It was like I had become someone my family and friends couldn’t understand.
It took time and the patience of those close to me. They stood by, enduring the changes in me. I had to find a way to let go of the man I became over there. The one who stood in the battlefields and jungle, lived in fear, and knew death was always close. I became the one who would survive at any cost. But letting go wasn’t easy. I couldn’t just drop the need to stay alert, to remain ready, to walk through the world like I was still in the jungle.
Get Jerry Glazer’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
At one point, I had to accommodate those who tried to help me and change my thinking to leave behind the man who always waited for the next attack. I couldn’t live there anymore. I needed to find a new way to be. But that wasn’t simple. It wasn’t just about adapting; it was about surviving in a world that didn’t understand what I had seen and done.
To this day, I walk the right side of the street, sit with my back to the wall, jump at the sound of a chopper or jet, and check my skin before I sleep. Those old habits come from a time when the world could end instantly. I know it’s the trauma, the things I can’t shake. But I don’t regret my military service. More than seventy percent of the men who went to Vietnam said they’d do it again, knowing what we know now. I’m one of them. We saved lives, and I’ll never forget I was part of something bigger than myself. I survived when others didn’t. More than 58,000 of my brothers didn’t come home. That’s something I carry.
To learn what caused the war and what became of my unit, read “Vietnam Uncensored — 365 Days in a Nightmare.” Don’t miss this unforgettable story. Readers on Amazon and Goodreads call it a must-read. All royalties support the Kaufman Fund and help veterans. Read it today to stand with us, understand more, and help others understand. Your support makes a difference. Get your copy now at https://vietnamjerry.com.
