Monthly Archives: July 2020

The Reckoning: Anger, Depression, and Reconciliation with Carol Sprague

July 31, 2020Podcaststigmafreeptsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:09 — 67.5MB)

Carol Sprague is the wife of Chuck Sprague, a former Vietnam Veteran and retired VA Psychiatrist. Carol and Chuck both grew up on orange groves and met during a Goodbye Picnic when Carol was sixteen years old. Chuck asked Carol’s parents for their permission to take Carol to the Goodbye Dance. A Romeo and Juliet relationship with many arguments along the way, this changed when they married just prior to Chuck going to Vietnam. Carol and Chuck live happily in Muskego, Wisconsin, after working through the trauma, depression, and anger that ensued after Chuck’s return from Vietnam.

Carol joins me today to discuss the reckoning that occurred a decade after Chuck returned injured from Vietnam. She shares the challenges and emotions associated with being the wife of a Veteran who has seen extensive action. Carol shares how Chuck kept his Vietnam experiences to himself for ten years, before his father’s death caused a day of reckoning. She discusses their reconciliation and finding peace through religion and philosophy. Carol also highlights how communication and counseling can help Veterans and their spouses as well as the importance of avoiding shaming and blame.

“We were two ships passing in the night when it came to his Vietnam experience – until it all came apart.” – Carol Sprague

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

Carol’s feelings of anger towards the government for joining a war based on oil-related motives
Carol’s experience with being questioned about what our government was doing in Vietnam, as a twenty-year-old woman
The cold and hard telegram from the government informing Carol that Chuck was injured in Vietnam
The Navy and government’s lack of outreach about what to expect from Chuck’s recovery and his reaction to his experiences
Why Carol wanted Chuck to share more stories about his experiences
How Chuck’s dad dying in the 1980s became the incident that finally caused him to open up about his Vietnam experiences
How philosophy and religion helped Chuck work through his anger and depression
How Carol and Chuck reconciled the difficulties of their post-Vietnam decade by discussing their emotions and feelings
Why you should seek counseling, hold on to your friends, find someone you can talk to, and avoid shaming and blaming

This episode is brought to you by…

The Orban Foundation for Veterans is dedicated to bringing greater hope, understanding, resolution, and togetherness on issues of civilian readjustment for all military veterans and their families. Orban Foundation for Veterans promotes the importance of education, identification, understanding, acceptance, and resolution of many of the complex and severe responses to war and military life.

Visit our website to learn more about the Orban Foundation for Veterans and to support our mission.

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life

Thanks for tuning into this segment of the Stigma Free Vet Zone podcast, the show dedicated to helping veterans and their families make the transition from the military to civilian life and culture. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe to the show and leave a review. For more stories, insight, and resources on coping with military-related trauma and PTSD, visit our website and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. Don’t forget to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us raise awareness and help our brothers and sisters and their families transition to civilian life.

DISCLAIMER: The information and content shared in each episode of the Stigma Free Vet Zone are for informational purposes only. The Stigma Free Vet Zone hosts, Mike Orban & Bob Bach, are not, nor claim to be, medical doctors, psychologists, or psychiatrists and should not be held responsible for any claims, medical advice, or therapy/treatment recommendations mentioned on this podcast. Any advice mentioned or shared by Mike Orban, Bob Bach, or their guests is strictly for purposes of bringing awareness to the veteran community and the services available. Please speak with a medical professional before taking any advice or starting any therapy or treatment discussed or shared on this podcast.

The Emotions of War and the Wounded Healer with Chuck Sprague

July 24, 2020Podcaststigmafreeptsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:01 — 61.8MB)

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After joining the Navy Reserves in 1966, Chuck Sprague became a Navy Corpsman who served in the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam. He was injured during Operation Dewey Canyon and felt lucky to survive, where he felt the government was trying to get him killed. He returned to the United States and became a student, where he had similar feelings about the government, which he took very personally. Chuck then became a medical doctor and psychiatrist and spent his career at Veteran Administration Hospitals throughout the United States. Today, Chuck resides in the Milwaukee suburb of Muskego, Wisconsin.

Chuck joins me today to discuss the emotions of war and healing through work and our relationships. He discusses how working in Navy hospitals is a hard introduction to the reality of war injuries and his feelings of fear as he arrived in Vietnam to serve the regiment nicknamed as “The Walking Dead.” Chuck reveals the toll that his time in Vietnam has had on his body and mind. He highlights how the stigma and treatment of Vietnam veterans affected him and the healing process that required the support of his relatives, finding meaning in his experiences, and how his work became a form of his own therapy.

“You can sometimes heal yourself through work and your interests.” – Chuck Sprague

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

Chuck’s experience while training at a Navy hospital and how it felt to know you would be in a perilous job
Why Chuck believes working in veteran hospitals is a difficult introduction to the graphic injuries of war
Arriving in Vietnam in 1968 and being told to “run like hell” as they dropped the deck
How it felt to be assigned to One-Nine Marine Regiment, given the nickname “The Walking Dead,” by General Giap and the communist forces in South Vietnam
How no promised replacements meant Chuck could not rotate out and how this led to feelings of betrayal
How constant trolling across the infiltration routes resulted in Chuck dropping from 240lbs to 150lbs in eight months
How the emotions of war change from fear to numbness as you recognize who gets hurt is a matter of luck
Being injured in Operation Dewey Canyon and the crushing feelings of being so changed that his wife did not recognize him
What it was like to be shunned by older veterans and the stigma attached to being a Vietnam veteran
How flashbacks plagued Chuck 15 years later, causing depression and anger
How working as a physiatrist and giving back to other veterans became a form of therapy
The importance of support from relationships and the difficulties of reintegrating into normal life
Why finding meaning in your experiences will help you heal and rejoin civilian life

Resources Mentioned:

The Wounded Healer by Henri J. M. Nouwne
Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl

This episode is brought to you by…

Visit our website to learn more about the Orban Foundation for Veterans and to support our mission.

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life

Souled Out: War and Inner Peace with Mike Orban Part 2

July 17, 2020Podcaststigmafreeptsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:59 — 52.2MB)

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Mike Orban is an army veteran who served in the Vietnam War in 1971. After returning home to civilian life, Mike struggled to cope with the experiences he had during combat, which led him into decades of darkness and isolation. In his book Souled Out: A Memoir of War and Inner Peace, Mike discusses his story of fighting in the war and dealing with combat’s traumatic impact. Today, Mike dedicates himself to outreach, connecting with numerous veterans and their families through his organization, the Orban Foundation for Veterans. He is also the co-founder of the Warrior Partnership, an initiative through the Medical College of Wisconsin that connects medical students with veterans with war-related trauma.

Mike joins me today to dive deeper into discussing his return to civilian life after serving in Vietnam, and the measures he took to maintain a facade of normalcy while fighting his distressing inner battles. Mike discusses his decision to join the Peace Corps, how this experience served as a spiritual awakening for him, and what it was like when he returned home to the United States once more. Mike also highlights his experiences with mental health care and how becoming more educated on his traumatic responses empowered him to move forward.

“The fear that I had of losing my mind exceeds any fear I’ve ever had in my life.” – Mike Orban

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

Whether other people noticed Mike’s mental health struggles when he returned to civilian life
How Mike’s post-traumatic stress impacted his ability to pursue his education upon his return
The anger, guilt, and shame Mike felt towards himself because of his experiences in Vietnam
Why Mike decided to go into the Peace Corps and his family’s reaction to this decision
Where Mike traveled to with the Peace Corps, the people he interacted with along the way, and the life lessons he learned
When Mike started experiencing suicidal ideation
How the support of Mike’s family members helped him manage his symptoms
Mike’s experience with mental health professionals, what his early therapy focused on, and the help he believes saved his life
How being in a group with other veterans gave Mike a new perspective on his war trauma
The list Mike received in therapy that changed his life and allowed him to address his traumatic reactions
Why we should focus on mental health education rather than mental illness and the insights Mike has gained through his trauma recovery journey
Why it is crucial to consider the impact of war on veterans’ families

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Souled Out: A Memoir of War and Inner Peace by Mike Orban
Orban Foundation for Veterans
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Tomah VA Medical Center
“Common Responses to Trauma and Coping Strategies” by Dr. Patti Levin, LICSW, PsyD
Hôpital Albert Schweitzer

This episode is brought to you by…

Visit our website to learn more about the Orban Foundation for Veterans and to support our mission.

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life

Souled Out: War and Inner Peace with Mike Orban Part 1

July 10, 2020Uncategorizedstigmafreeptsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:00 — 56.3MB)

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After a year of intense combat in the jungles of Vietnam, Mike Orban, an Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War in 1971, returned home with severe post-traumatic stress that led him to an incredibly dark mental place. Mike discusses his story and experience with PTSD in his book Souled Out: A Memoir of War and Inner Peace, which highlights his journey in the war and how he dealt with combat’s traumatic impact. Today, Mike dedicates himself to outreach, connecting with numerous veterans and their families through his organization, the Orban Foundation for Veterans.

Mike Orban joins me today to discuss his journey before and during his year of service in the Vietnam War. He shares how serving in Vietnam transformed his worldview, his relationship with fear and courage during his time overseas, and the “thousand-yard stare” Mike witnessed in the troops who left combat. Mike discusses how being in the war completely altered his perspectives on life and the human race, and the guilt and shame he felt around his thoughts. Mike also highlights the overwhelming trauma symptoms he experienced upon returning to civilian life, including intense rage, anxiety, depression, social isolation, and the coping mechanisms he turned to in an effort to manage the intensity.

“I remember thinking to myself: ‘I am going home to life as it had been before.’” – Mike Orban

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

How Mike’s family life shifted when he was a teenager and the impact this had on him
What Mike’s view of the world was like before he entered the military
What basic training was like for Mike physically and emotionally
Mike’s experience entering Vietnam and the point that fear and terror of the situation set in
Why Mike thought there was a good chance he might not survive the war
What coming home from the Vietnam War was like for Mike
How the war impacted Mike’s faith and spirituality and some of the events and experiences that haunted him mentally
How civilian life changed for Mike when he returned from Vietnam and the mental “bunker” Mike placed himself in to cope
The hypervigilance, isolation, rage, and panic attacks Mike dealt with after he returned home
Mike’s experience with mental health stigma

Resources Mentioned:

Souled Out: A Memoir of War and Inner Peace by Mike Orban
Orban Foundation for Veterans

This episode is brought to you by…

Visit our website to learn more about the Orban Foundation for Veterans and to support our mission.

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life

Dan Van Buskirk & Linda Bobot on Forging Sacred Relationships with Service Dogs

July 4, 2020Podcaststigmafreeptsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:37 — 59.9MB)

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After serving in the Marine Corps on the Reconnaissance team during the Vietnam War, Dan Van Buskirk dedicated his life to helping military veterans transition back to civilian life and develop healthy coping skills to heal from the emotional trauma they experienced after war. Dan is the founder of the 501(c)3 non-profit organization, HAVEN – Hounds and Vets Empowered Now, where he helps military veterans find the support they need through the beneficial relationships forged with dogs. Dan is also an active member of Guitars for Vets, an organization devoted to helping veterans cope with post-war trauma through the healing power of music.

Linda Bobot is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer with over 20 years of experience in training service dogs and therapy dogs as well as beloved pets. Linda is the Executive Director and Lead Trainer at HAVEN and is responsible for teaching veterans how to train their personal dogs to become service dogs. With an extensive family history of military veterans, which includes her father and brother, Linda is passionate about helping veterans and their loved ones cope with trauma and find comfort in the love, hope, and assistance that service dogs provide.

Dan and Linda join us today to discuss the sacred connection and relationship between veterans and their dogs. Dan shares how dogs were used to detect traps and enemy fire in combat and how they became valuable members of military teams. They discuss how dogs can help veterans take control of their emotions, responses, and expectations. and how dogs help veterans diffuse powerful negative emotions like feeling inadequate and survivor’s guilt. They also discuss the dog selection process that takes place between veterans and their service dogs, how our dogs reflect our feelings and emotions, and how HAVEN helps veterans choose the perfect dog for their needs.

“The relationship between a veteran and their dog is almost a sacred experience.” – Dan Van Buskirk

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

The role that dogs played throughout Dan’s experience in Vietnam
The deep, trusting relationships often developed between veterans and dogs
How dogs help veterans learn how to control their emotions, responses, and expectations
What ‘clicker training’ is and how they use this training method to train service dogs for veterans
The benefits of positive reinforcement training for dogs as well as veterans
Why Dan believes expectations ‘destroy beings’
How Linda became involved with HAVEN and what inspired her to begin working with veterans and dogs
How veterans choose the service dogs they want to work with
How your feelings and emotions are reflected in animals
The future outlook of HAVEN

Resources Mentioned:

Guitars for Vets: Healing Invisible Wounds of War Through Music & Pet Companions with Dan Van Buskirk
Freedom Service Dogs
My Animal, My Self: A Breakthrough Way to Understand How You and Your Animal Reflect Each Other book by Marta Williams

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life

Joe Campbell on the Spiritual Awakening of Forgiveness & Service of Gratitude

July 4, 2020Podcaststigmafreeptsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:49 — 43.7MB)

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In 1965, Joe Campbell graduated from the Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, Illinois to begin his career in the military. He enlisted in the U.S. Army that December and served four years, including two tours in Germany with the 8th Infantry Division as well as a tour in Vietnam. Throughout his military career, Joe specialized in Artillery and Automotive Maintenance with the 1st Logistical Command as well as served on the Maintenance Contact Team with the 25th Infantry Division in Cu Chi, the 101st Airborne Division in Phouc Vinh, and the 1st Infantry Division in Dian.

Following his military career, Joe has devoted himself to helping other veterans through organizations and outreach programs, including as a volunteer at the Milwaukee VA, a Trustee of the Milwaukee County War Memorial Corporation, and as the co-founder, board member, and chairman of several veteran-focused organizations throughout Wisconsin. Since 2004, Joe has received numerous awards and recognition for his services and devotion to the military veteran community, including the 2004 Vietnam Veteran of the Year Award by the Vietnam Veterans of America, the 2007 Veteran of the Year Award by Milwaukee County, and the 2018 Patriot Award by the War Memorial Center.

Joe joins us again today to discuss his involvement in the vehicle caravan that transported a remnant piece of steel from the former World Trade Center in New York to Milwaukee. He shares how communities came together and the outpouring of support they received to transport this precious cargo and how this experience served as a spiritual awakening for Joe. He explains how he met Kim Phuc Phan Thi, a Vietnamese woman who was badly burned from a napalm bomb during the Vietnam War and author of Fire Road, and how meeting Kim helped Joe heal from the emotional trauma he experienced during the war. He also explains how forgiveness and service through gratitude have helped him through the darkness and into the light of hope and recovery.

“The more we get out of ourselves – the more we get out of our self.” – Joe Campbell

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

Joe’s involvement in the transportation of a remnant piece of steel from the World Trade Center to Milwaukee
The spiritual awakening Joe experienced while transporting steel from the World Trade Center to Milwaukee
How Joe met Kim Phuc Phan Thi, author of Fire Road and how it impacted his healing process
What drives Joe to continue helping military veterans through outreach programs and support
Joe’s challenges with battling depression, PTSD, and alcoholism
The power of forgiveness and gratitude

Resources Mentioned:

Fire Road: The Napalm Girl’s Journey through the Horror of War to Faith, Forgiveness, and Peace by Kim Phuc Phan Thi
Joe Campbell on Finding Acceptance After the Vietnam War

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life

The Veteran Spouse Perspective with Janet Austin

July 4, 2020Podcaststigmafreeptsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:33 — 76.3MB)

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Janet Austin understands first-hand the experience and struggles associated with being the spouse and caregiver of a combat veteran. Her husband, Bill, is a medically retired Master Sergeant who has served over 30 years in the Army and Air National Guard before being medically discharged due to his diagnosis of PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) following his last tour in Afghanistan. Since his discharge, Janet has tirelessly advocated for military families and others suffering through combat-related trauma through the Facebook group she created, PTSD The Truth In Numbers. Additionally, Janet is a staunch advocate for service dogs, largely due to the tremendous strides she has seen with Bill’s former service dog, J.P., and regularly speaks at various events to educate others regarding the laws on service dogs for military veterans.

Janet joins us today to share her experience as a military wife while her husband was serving overseas and the emotional turmoil military spouses endure when their husbands or wives are fighting for our country. She explains why military wives often take their spouse’s post-combat PTSD-related outbursts personally and why it’s critical to remember their outbursts have nothing to do with you. She explains why many civilians don’t understand the emotional impact veterans and their families experience and why she felt compelled to avoid discussing these challenges with others. She shares why they chose not to display Bill’s military accomplishments after moving to Montana, the difference between mental health issues and educational issues for military veterans and their spouses, and how post-combat PTSD impacts the children in military families. She also explains how military veterans can benefit from receiving a service dog, the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog, and the legal requirements that must be met to receive one.

“Don’t take it personal – it’s not you.” – Janet Austin

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

The challenges Janet faced as a military spouse while her husband served overseas
How the effects of combat impacted her husband emotionally and why she initially thought his change in emotional behavior was her fault
The lack of resources and support available to military spouses
What Janet initially expected Bill’s return home would be like and how it differed from reality
Why Janet hid her emotions related to Bill’s post-combat PTSD outbursts from her husband
How Bill’s service dog, J.P., helped him cope with the trauma he experienced
How BIll’s sleeping habits has changed since returning home from the military
Why they chose not to display Bill’s military awards after moving to Montana
The difference between mental health issues and educational issues regarding military veterans and their spouses
How post-combat PTSD impacts the children in military families
The importance of including the entire family in repairing a veteran’s health and wellbeing
Why Janet blames a lot of the stigmatic perspectives associated with military veterans and post-combat PTSD on how the media portrays them
The benefits of service dogs for military veterans, the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog, and the legal guidelines required to receive a service dog

Resources Mentioned:

Balancing Compassion with Emotional Control as an AirEvac Medic with Bill Austin Part 1
Balancing Compassion with Emotional Control as an AirEvac Medic with Bill Austin Part 2
The Vets Center
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
Gary Sinise Foundation
Montana Wounded Warriors
Book: Why is Dad So Mad? By Seth Kastle

Connect with Janet Austin:

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life

Balancing Compassion with Emotional Control as an AirEvac Medic with Bill Austin Part 2

July 4, 2020Podcaststigmafreeptsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:01 — 50.8MB)

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Bill Austin served over 30 years in the military – first as a radio operator, then as an infantry man and light infantry scout in the Army before switching to the Air National Guard in 1994. While in the Air Guard, he served as a Flight Medic, helping injured and wounded colleagues on the battleground. During his 30 years of service, he earned the rank of Master Sergeant and has been deployed on multiple tours, including Grenada, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In August 2011, Bill was diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and PTSD, which resulted in being medically discharged from the Air Guard.

Bill joins us again today to share his experience of returning home from the military after serving his country, the rollercoaster of emotions he experienced, and the struggles of sharing the intimate details of his experiences while in combat with others. He explains why he didn’t want to participate in group therapy after returning home from war and how the trauma he experienced impacted his relationships and sleep patterns. He discusses his late, beloved service dog, J.P., and how he helped Bill through his PTSD treatment. Bill discusses why many combat veterans use humor as a way to cope with traumatic experiences and the challenges of tying your beliefs of patriotism and honor to the realistic aspects of war. He also shares how he realized that his PTSD symptoms and post-war trauma affected his wife and those around him and his advice to military men and women currently returning home to their loved ones.

“If we can make it over there, and then we come back to the world and there’s all kinds of resources out there, then we can make it here. So just don’t give up.” – Bill Austin

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

Bill’s experiences when returning home from the military and the emotional rollercoaster he endured
Struggling to talk about his combat experiences and why it’s okay to get emotional
Why Bill did not want to participate in group therapy after returning home from war
Bill’s diagnoses with hypersomnia, what it is, and how it has impacted his relationship with his wife and loved ones
How Bill’s late service dog, J.P. helped him cope with combat-related PTSD symptoms
Creating a facade to guard your emotions
Using humor as a way to cope with traumatic experiences and the challenge of maintaining belief your that acts of war should be considered as patriotic and honorable
How the realities of war impacted Bill’s faith and belief in religion
Realizing that your PTSD doesn’t only affect you, but also your loved ones
Bill’s advice to other veterans currently experiencing PTSD as well as those recently returning home from the military

Resources Mentioned:

The Vets Center

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life

Balancing Compassion with Emotional Control as an AirEvac Medic with Bill Austin

July 4, 2020Podcaststigmafreeptsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:37 — 54.4MB)

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Career Army veteran, Bill Austin, was born and raised in Delaware before enlisting in the military in 1981. His career initially began as a radio operator but his MOS eventually changed to infantry, then to becoming a light infantry scout. In 1994, Bill switched to serve as a Flight Medic in the Air National Guard. Bill served over 30 years in the military with a final rank of Master Sergeant before retiring with a medical discharge due to his diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and PTSD.

Bill joins us today to discuss his drive to join the military and his experiences while serving his country in Grenada, Bosnia, Kosovo as well as Afghanistan and Iraq. He explains why he decided to switch from the Army to the Air National Guard, his experiences while serving in each branch, and the challenges he faced in transitioning and adapting to the Air Guard’s culture. He describes the emotional turmoil military medical personnel experience when they lose a patient, the difficulties of dividing resources in an effort to save as many lives as possible, and the struggles of shutting off your emotions to ensure you’re providing the best care possible. Bill also discusses his medical discharge from the military and his experience of permanently returning home to his wife and son.

“If you get so turned off about what’s going on – turning off your emotions – then you start losing that compassion and can really make a lot of mistakes.” – Bill Austin

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

Bill’s childhood upbringing and his drive to enlist in the Army
Why Bill struggled to adapt to the Air Guard’s working culture after switching from the Army
Bill’s experiences as a Flight Medic and the difference between a Dustoff and AirEvac
The emotional turmoil associated with being responsible for saving lives
Blocking your personal emotions to provide the best care possible and the balancing act between controlling your emotions while maintaining compassion
How Bill coped with the emotional struggles throughout his military career
How they utilized civilian donations while in combat
Why Bill never spoke with his wife about his war experiences during his enlistment
Bill’s medical discharge from the military and the expectations and experiences he had when returning home

Resources Mentioned:

Soldier’s Angels

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life

Joe Campbell on Finding Acceptance After the Vietnam War

July 4, 2020Podcaststigmafreeptsd

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:48 — 69.8MB)

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Born and raised in Illinois, Joe Campbell graduated from the Marmion Military Academy in 1965. Shortly after, he enlisted and served four years in the U.S. Army. During his enlistment, Joe served with the 8th Infantry Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany as well as the 1st Logistical Command in Vietnam. Over the last several decades, Joe has committed himself to serve and help other military veterans. He has served as a Trustee for the Milwaukee County War Memorial Corporation, Inc, a Chaplain with the Vietnam Veterans of America Milwaukee Chapter, and has held executive positions at several veteran-oriented organizations, including his own machinery and welding company. Due to his service and commitment to help his fellow veterans, Joe has received several awards and accolades, including the 2018 Patriot Award from the War Memorial Center and the 2007 Veteran of the Year Award by Milwaukee County.

Joe joins us today to share his experience of serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He explains why he chose to enlist in the Army instead of waiting to be drafted, why he was anxious to fight in the Vietnam War, and how the realities of war compared to his initial expectations. He shares the shocking realities of returning home after serving in Vietnam, how he was treated, and why he felt like an ‘outsider’ even within the U.S borders. He discusses the impact that burying his feelings and emotions about losing battle buddies has had on his life, how it led to his addiction to alcohol, and how the gift of sobriety helped him cope with those buried emotions. Joe also shares his motivation to connect with veteran outreach programs and dedicate himself to helping other combat veterans.

“The greatest gift I have is to live a good life for those guys and gals that gave their life for me. And the only way I can really thank them is by living a good life because of them.” – Joe Campbell

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

Life before the military and why Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army
His experience while serving in Germany
Why Joe was anxious to serve in the Vietnam War and why he didn’t want his family and fiancee to know that he volunteered to go to Vietnam
Joe’s experiences while serving in Vietnam and how his arrival compared to his expectations
Adjusting to life in the battlefield
The human component of the Vietnam War
What it was like to return home after serving in Vietnam
Adjusting to the ‘new norm’ after being discharged from the military
Why Joe initially chose not to talk about his Vietnam experiences, except to those closest to him
The impact of burying his feelings and emotions about his experiences – and losses – while serving his country and how it led to his addiction to alcohol
What eventually inspired Joe to turn his life around and dedicate himself to helping other combat veterans
How the gift of sobriety helped him cope with his experiences of Vietnam and the memories that flooded back at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
The brotherhood of support Joe found to help him cope with the traumas of war

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life