Veteran Warrior Writings

Warrior writings

Desert Storm 3/4/1991
By John Fisher
Author: Angels in Vietnam

Mary Beth explained Ben’s reaction to Jeremy being sent overseas with the Marines. ‘When the fighting began, Ben was a basket case,’ Mary Beth said. ‘Then he disappeared. He goes away a lot by himself, ever since he came home from Vietnam. Usually, though, it’s only for three or four days. After a week, I got scared and reported him missing. They found him screaming for Jeremy and then they put him here. He’s so drugged up he can hardly talk, doctor. Dr. Piazza looked at Ben―tears were flowing down Ben’s face. ‘If you sign some papers, we can have him reassigned to me, Mrs. West. I will get him off of the drugs.’

Jeremy returned back to American soil on March 28, 1991. He was transported across the Atlantic on the U.S.S. Wisconsin battleship, which pulled next to pier number five in Norfolk, Virginia. As the ship pulled into the harbor it was met by civilian tour boats and news helicopters. When it pulled next the pier, Jeremy could see hordes of people swarming onto the berth covering it’s entire area from front to back. It was truly a heroes welcome.

All of the veterans from Desert Storm were welcomed as heroes. There were tickertape parades and parties arranged for the soldiers and it was truly a “welcome home.” When Jeremy arrived in Denver there were more than 50 friends and family at the airport to greet him. His Uncle Ben was not a part of them. He was home from the hospital, but still recuperating from his broken leg and digit amputations. Ben wanted to attend, but Dr. Piazza, also a Vietnam Vet, suggested that he stay home so that he wouldn’t have to witness the “welcome home” extravaganza.

Dr. Piazza thought that if Ben saw all of the attention given to the Desert Storm Veterans that it just might put Ben back into a psychosis. Vietnam Veterans did not receive a “welcome home” because the war was not over when most of them returned. And, with the unpopular nature of the Vietnam War, many were subjected to violent protests and discrimination, as well. Ben saw a sign which read, “Vietnam Veterans are murderers,” when he got off of the plane in his homeland.

The psychologist used numerous techniques to help Ben with PTSD. The problem used to be called Vietnam Delayed Stress Disorder until another vet, who didn’t like Vietnam Vets being singled out, studied the problem and submitted a paper to the AMA. That’s when the diagnosis PTSD appeared. Anyone can have it, not just a Nam Vet. Dr. Piazza even used hypnosis to help Ben relive his nightmares and come to a better understanding of his wartime experience.

When Ben was a youngster, Veterans Day was a special day. He would go to the annual parade and watch his grandfather and father, dressed in their old military uniforms, march down the street with their heads up high. After Vietnam, Ben considered Veterans Day a joke. It made him remember his return back from the war and how horrible he felt―guilt, anger, and regret. Veterans Day was not a day of remembrance for him anymore, until he got a phone call from his nephew, Jeremy, on November 11, 1991.

‘Uncle Ben, I just wanted to call a say happy Veterans Day.’ Ben was silent for a moment. ‘What,’ he finally said. ‘I’ve always felt so bad with the way you were treated when you came home,’ Jeremy continued. ‘I got such a “welcome home” when I got back and it wasn’t fair. When the ship pulled into the wharf I actually felt guilty. The people should have been cheering for you, too, Uncle Ben. You’ve always been such a hero in my life and I just wanted to tell you that today. You guys fought in the hardest war and nobody appreciated it.’ Ben tried to respond, but couldn’t because he was crying.