PTSD

It happens when you least expect it. Watching a movie, reading a book or magazine…(or NY eve or 4th of July)
just now, a scene of Nuclear war in a Sci Fi movie.
The Character says:
“Sharon, look at those clouds and tell me this isn’t the end of everything.” Across the room, sitting at my computer, hearing this,
I am suddenly convulsing, choking with tears.
Even now, they are trying to come out and roll down my cheeks.
The VA says that since I was never in “Combat”,
I can’t be treated for PTSD.
I was on Combat Crew.
In a Nuclear Missile Silo, with the biggest Nuke we had in our arsenal
at the time.
If we had gone to war while I was on duty, I would have been
responsible for the fiery deaths of millions, and an agonizing aftermath.
We were in a perpetual state of “almost war”,
ready to react at a moment’s notice.
Don’t tell ME “I wasn’t in combat”.

“PTSD”

^by
Jerry E Smith
©11/23/2014
Atomic Bomb

<sup>These .gifs were created for me by @coquiunlimited; many thanks


This .gif was created by @elgeko</sup>