"It's difficult for me to be bitter or angry about hardships that have turned out to be blessings. I know I say that frequently, but it's true. That, combined with the amazing people I've shared my life with, are all truly blessings from God. Life is good!"

Wish I could be so gracious with regard to the first sentence copied above Bro. The rest of the statement I can connect with, but I still am dealing with bitterness and anger, though not with the hardships I endured. Those I 'expected' and have 'processed' if those are the right words. No the bitterness and anger I still deal with is with the betrayal of those who I trusted. Not of the events itself, I've come to learn that those kinds of things happen. But events after the fact. Well after the fact. Later, sometimes many years later, when I was treated like a pariah by the very country I served. I would experience extreme rejection and wonder why I had survived all that devastation in 1968, only to be treated worse than a common criminal. I deal with it though; Eric 'Batman' Smith was a great help--my God do I miss him. Sometimes I deal with it better than other times. My thanks to all those who have hung with me all these years. God Bless you all. You exemplify the true meaning of Semper Fidelis.

I let my experiences in Vietnam control my life for over 40 years. It had an impact on our marriage, and my relationship with my son and daughter. Not only does bitterness and anger control everything you do, but it will slowly destroy you. I reached a point in my life where I got tired of being controlled by something I control, if that makes sense. When I get up in the morning I have two choices. I can be happy or sad. That decision pretty much determines how my day goes. We can "what if" so many things that have happened in our lives. All that did for me was make me more miserable. A very wise person, our son, once said something very profound when we were talking about my struggles. He said that those we left behind wouldn't want me to be living life the way I was, and that they'd want me to live my life to the fullest. He was right. I was spared for a reason, and it certainly wasn't for something that happened so long ago to rule my life. Every day is a precious gift from God and we owe it to those brave men who sacrificed their lives to live it to the fullest. There are many things in my life I wish I could go back and change, but I can't. The only thing we have is this moment in time. There is no promise of tomorrow for any of us. I will not let fear, anger or bitterness control my life anymore. My wife, children, grandchildren, and friends deserve better than that from me. Semper Fi

Thanks for your encouraging words Steve. It always helps to know someone else sees the issues and deals with them; you obviously deal with them better than do I, but I do deal with them.

I reflect back on those times and sometimes it’s difficult for me to imagine that was pretty much our day-to-day routine. Eating food out of cans, no bathrooms or showers, sweltering heat, bugs and rats, etc., etc. I guess that’s what bonds us together. The only thing we really had was each other. I certainly couldn’t do it now, but I’m glad I experienced all those things.