I took the train downtown Tuesday. As I stood on the El platform I noticed a very fit man with one of those funny board and velcro shoe on one foot. Something prompted me to speak with him, so I said "I hope you did that doing something spectacular" pointing to his foot.
He said one could call it spectacular. He told me he had recently gotten out of the hospital after an eight month stay. It was a veteran's hospital. Since it was a hot day he lifted his T-shirt and pointed to his other wound. The wound had healed but it left an indentation because the bullet or projectile took some flesh with it.
His name is Julian, age 49,retiring from Special Forces, and he was wounded visibly from the Iraq War. After speaking further he told me, like so many vets, he suffered from PTSD. He didn't like taking the train because there was so much noise and people and confusion. His hand shook a little as he shared this.
To keep him talking, I told him I was campaigning for the President and other Democrats. He said he loved the President because the President was doing so much for veterans. He said the veterans loved President. He wants the President to have a second term because he was also good for the country. I think President Obama would like hearing that.
Julian was being retired after spending 16 years in Special Forces. He called himself "damaged goods." We talked a lot and when we got on the train he insisted on carrying my bag and getting me a seat. He stood. And we talked, well, he talked and I listened. I listened gladly. I kept my hand on his to give him strength to tolerate the crowd on the train.
He told me about 'his men' he left in the hospital. They said he would forget them, but he said "you're my men, I'd never leave you, not forever." I surmise that a bunch of his men were badly injured in whatever battle that injured him. We talked about him helping them and others like him with PTSD.
He did not know how to get help for his own PTSD. I gave him my card to call me. It's been a couple of days but I hope he calls. When he calls I want to give him the name of a place he can go to talk about PTSD with other veterans.
Can anyone tell me of a good group near near-north suburbs in IL, a veteran's group, that he can go to? I can look it up on the web thing but I won't hear recommendations there. If possible, I want to know of a place that other vets like.
By the way, we never know when we might meet someone we can help. I think I helped him for a few minutes during that train ride. I think we should all be aware of those around us who might need a helping hand. After all, that's what separates us from the repubs, isn't it?