Read Larry Connors' blog – Short Term Trading Strategies
Although history says the Vietnam War ended May 7, 1975, the struggle for many veterans continues to linger.
Dave Rogers of Shannon City has been fighting that battle for more than 40 years.
"The war was terrible," said Rogers. "We had to do things we didn't want to do, but it's what they trained us to do."
According to a study conducted in 1988, more than 1.7 million, or nearly 31 percent, of Vietnam Veterans reported experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the war. A 2006 study concluded almost 19 percent currently show symptoms of PTSD.
Active service
Rogers, 62, a native of Fairbanks, Alaska, joined the Navy during his junior year of high school. He was deployed to Yakuska, Japan, June 8, 1965 -- one day after his graduation.
"If you could breath and walk in there," Rogers recalled. "They would take you."
From Yakuska, Rogers was shipped to the coast of Vietnam, where he was stationed on the USS Bellatrix. Rogers said the main mission of the Bellatrix was to supply the 7th fleet with everything from food to ammunition.
"We were a floating grocery store," he said.
Aside from assisting a Navy SEAL team with covert operations, Rogers, an E-4 petty officer, served as a boiler technician.
Sacrifice
Rogers, recalling his service, said he was injured during a routine supply drop in the Cam Ranh Bay, just off the southeast coast of Vietnam. After the ship came too close to shore, a mortar round, shot by Viet Cong forces, reached the boiler room after entering the ship's smoke stack. The explosion sent a 300 pound boiler casing toward Rogers, hitting him in the left side.
Among other injuries, the impact crushed his knee and permanently affected his ability to walk.
"I'm lucky to be alive," Rogers said, describing his injuries. "It completely chewed up my left side."
Returning to war
Shortly after being wounded Rogers returned to San Diego, Calif., in June 1967. Rogers said that's when his real battle began and when he developed his post-traumatic stress disorder.
"I really fought the war when I came home," Rogers said "When we came back we didn't get a welcome back at all. We got the opposite. I think that hurt more than actually being wounded."
Rogers returned during the height of the Vietnam War opposition and remembered signs in San Diego saying, "Sailors and Dogs. Please Keep off of the Grass." He was harassed and assaulted by officers of the San Diego Police Department after they accused him of drinking underage. He said that incident has haunted him for more than 40 years.
"I was always proud of my military service. Proud to be a sailor," Rogers said, pausing. "(But) that's what really hurt me. It still does to this day."
Needed assistance
After his disability compensation was taken away almost 12 years ago, Rogers began the process of acquiring the forms to regain compensation.
He said he could never prove he served on the USS Bellatrix until it was recently discovered the ship he served on was scrapped in 1968 and rebuilt shortly afterward.
"They were trying to get my records from the wrong ship," he said.
Long overdue
With assistance from U.S. Rep. Steve King's office, Rogers finally received his Vietnam service medals during a ceremony at the Mount Ayr American Legion Hall Sunday.
"This is a token to our gratitude to you for serving this country so bravely and faithfully," King said while presenting Rogers' medals, Sunday. "It's taken us too long."
Rogers was awarded the National Defense medal, Vietnam service medal with three bronze stars, -- signifying active duty -- Republic of Vietnam campaign medal with 1960 device, and most notably, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit medal of gallantry.
"It means closure for me," Rogers said after receiving his medals. "It's not only for me. These medals represent for all veterans, past and present."
------
Sean Giza can be reached at
(641) 782-2141 ext. 236
or sgiza@crestonnews.com
To see more of the Creston News Advertiser or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Creston News Advertiser, Iowa Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
More News:
Market Updates |
Stock Alerts |
All Trading News |
Stock Index
About TradingMarkets | Contact | Advertise | Careers | Link to Us | Site Map | Help | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Return Policy | Testimonials | Feedback
The Connors Group, Inc. ("Company") is not an investment advisory service, nor a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer and does not purport to tell or suggest which securities or currencies customers should buy or sell for themselves. The analysts and employees or affiliates of Company may hold positions in the stocks, currencies or industries discussed here. You understand and acknowledge that there is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities and/or currencies. The Company, the authors, the publisher, and all affiliates of Company assume no responsibility or liability for your trading and investment results. Factual statements on the Company's website, or in its publications, are made as of the date stated and are subject to change without notice.
It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable or that they will not result in losses. Past results of any individual trader or trading system published by Company are not indicative of future returns by that trader or system, and are not indicative of future returns which be realized by you. In addition, the indicators, strategies, columns, articles and all other features of Company's products (collectively, the "Information") are provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Examples presented on Company's website are for educational purposes only. Such set-ups are not solicitations of any order to buy or sell. Accordingly, you should not rely solely on the Information in making any investment. Rather, you should use the Information only as a starting point for doing additional independent research in order to allow you to form your own opinion regarding investments. You should always check with your licensed financial advisor and tax advisor to determine the suitability of any investment.
HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN INHERENT LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING AND MAY NOT BE IMPACTED BY BROKERAGE AND OTHER SLIPPAGE FEES. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT ACTUALLY BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER- OR OVER-COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.
The Connors Group, Inc.
15260 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 2200
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
© Copyright 2009 The Connors Group, Inc.
