Time to reflect on the last year.

[oldnamvet]

At the end of a year I usually do not go out.  My wife and I spend a quiet evening at home.  Looked at my avatar picture and remembered the guys I served with.  Of the 4 pictured, the one sitting in front attempted suicide while in country when he found out his wife was 3 months pg, and he had been in-country for 9 months.  Heard later after my return that he succeeded on the 2nd try.  The guy standing beside him had been wounded and heard that he recently died from COPD after a life of heavy drinking, smoking, and night terrors from PTSD.  The guy standing on the left is in his 5th marriage and is classified as totally disabled from PTSD.  I'm the fortunate one standing with a hat on and an M79.  I have my health issues and have a 30% disability rating but just celebrated my 47th wedding anniversary(to the same great woman).  Times like this remind me of how lucky I was and remain.
May you all have peace and a better year in 2016 than in 2015.

[Matt15]

You are greatly blessed my friend!!! Happy New Year!!

[dcorvino]

Happy New Year Sir.
May 2016 be filled with good health happiness and joy for you and your family.

Dave

[vigilandy]

Thank you for the post Tom.  2015 has been a busy year for our family. 2016 isn't looking much better. It's too easy to forget to be grateful for the things we have.   

Slow start today for New Year's,  but I'm headed out to do some trenching for a French drain.   Easy job, and will have a lot of time to self reflect. 

[ezman604]

Today is a day to reflect. Tom, first off thank you VERY much for your service and welcome home!!!
Congratulations on your achievements, all of them. Especially with your marriage. Teresa and I will celebrate our 44th this year.
Today is also a day to give thanks for what we have accomplished and to also look forward to the great things we WILL accomplish.
I hope all of you good blessings for this entire year!!!

Dave

[dk1677]

Yes thank you for your service Tom, Happy New Year !  It will 44 years with my wife this year

[bnowlin]

Some people say that PTSD is not real but I am here to tell you it is.  My first wife was 3 months preg when I got home, so I didn't go home.  But will be married to this one that has put up with me 48 years next week.  It may work out if I live that long and if I ever start doing anything right .  Take care of yourself and good luck.  And most of all thanks for your service.  And I thank everyone for letting me be with this wonder bunch of enablers.
Bob     BTW:  That little girl an the left is only one of the reasons I'm still here I think.

HAPPY NEW YEARS

[Silverhawk]

A lot of times the ways of life don't make much sense when we look back at the people along our road.  6 weeks and I will have been with the same woman for 41 years.  God Bless Her for putting up with me all this time.