New wars, old wounds

With the recent wars in Iraq and the war on terrorism, there has been an uptick in Vietnam veterans feeling the stress of PTSD. Seeing the military they once belonged to fighting a war on television brought back a great deal of memories and emotions for those suffering with combat PTSD.
One Veteran spoke of renewed feeling of guilt as he watched the war on T.V. He was wounded badly as shrapnel tore through his body during a skirmish in Vietnam. Four comrades carried him to safety on a poncho and went back to help in the battle. None of the four survived that day and he carried that guilt with him for 40 years.
A few years back he decided to do something about his guilt and decide to be a santa for the soldiers. His idea was to collect autographed college and pro footballs, letters form local children and other mementos and send them to the troops. His idea changed when the military signed of on him bringing the stuff to them personally.
He went there hoping to bury some emotional demons but found that the trip only made things worse. He had some trouble sleeping in the dark at times but now he hates to see the dark, it makes him extremely nervous. He does not relax until the dawn.
He started patrolling the neighborhood at night with his 9-mm pistol at his side. He even once sleep drove to a local walmart 20 minutes away at 3 am. He finally checked into a facility and is still getting treatment this day.
I really thought this story showed the long lasting emotional scars left by the war. This Vietnam veteran also carried a great guilt for being rescued and his rescuers being killed. In his attempt to do something right, it only brought back old fears and stress.