Thread: Where were you 51 years ago today?

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Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

A Junior in high school!

I painted my first car and built my first engine the next year!

One year after that I started spitting up blood from ulcerated lungs. My doctor wrote a letter to the draft board, and changed my draft status. I was relieved not to go to Viet Nam. I doubt I was mentally strong enough for that experience. I'm sure I would have PTSD like many friends now do... but I have felt guilty ever since! {:-(

Thanks to our vets! Forever Grateful!

It's called "survivor guilt syndrome" and I struggled with it for years until a couple of combat vets got me straightened out. Don't feel guilty, it'll drive you nuts and can turn you into a drunk. I have first hand experience on the latter and have been sober for over 20 years.

Originally Posted by NTFDAY

It's called "survivor guilt syndrome" and I struggled with it for years until a couple of combat vets got me straightened out. Don't feel guilty, it'll drive you nuts and can turn you into a drunk. I have first hand experience on the latter and have been sober for over 20 years.

Ken,
That's excellent advice. I got my draft notice in early '68 and was lucky to get into the US Navy vs the draft when (unknown at the time) they were pulling in anyone who breathed for the Tet Offensive of '68. Ended up in Corpus Christi, TX at a NAS where there was a huge ARADMAC facility rebuilding helicopters that got trashed in Viet Nam. A good friend from HS went in enlisted, made Warrant Officer, and then got a field commission flying 'copters through three tours. I've talked to him on several occasions, expressing that I get very emotional about Viet Nam, and the number of good men that were lost while I served in a stateside facility where we trained pilots. He expressed the same sentiment to me, not to feel guilty about the fact that I didn't go to the front of the conflict, but to be proud that I served rather than finding some optional way out. It was a hard time for a lot of people, and I've come to grips with the fact that (for me) the Good Lord put me where I needed to be at the time, and I served well in the job that I was assigned.