To the editor:

I was happy to read the article about the opening of the resource center for U.S. military veterans in the South Whidbey Record.

As stated in the article it’s true that a majority of the returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and need a place to go locally. There also are veterans on the island who experienced the traumas of the Vietnam War, me being one.

Although it has been 38 years since I left Vietnam, I am still haunted by dreams, flashbacks and the many other disorders associated with PTSD. I am glad to now have a place where I can go when I am having difficulties.

The Fourth of July is always a very traumatic time for me in Freeland. I’ve often wondered if the minister of the Assembly of God Church, which sponsors the annual fireworks show at Freeland Park, ever thinks about the vets on the island with the affliction of PTSD when he asks for donors to sponsor his annual show. Or is it a self-serving venture? I want him to know that, after 38 years, I still take medication to cope, and am still in therapy to deal with the trauma of war. There also are the locals who disregard the law and bring illegal fireworks to the island. Thus for me, it sounds like a war zone during that holiday.

As the interviewee stated, “it is stressful for the PTSD vets to drive to and from Seattle for appointments at the VA Medical Center.” Hopefully there will be transportation available as time goes on to assist the local vets, so that there is one less stressor to deal with.

I no longer am ashamed to admit that, as a veteran of Vietnam, I still have issues surrounding that war. I experienced a lot of the stressors that the interviewee’s son did, but unfortunately his demons were far worse and he could no longer cope. I offer my deepest sympathy to the family, and look forward to meeting them.

Ray Clark

Freeland