Subplots 005 (Five Alive)

Rolling through the fighting, rolling through the religious wars... Phil sits down with Nathan Gonzales (USMC 0311) Combat Veteran, Assistant manager of the Houston Outreach PTSD Foundation of America, at Camp Hope inside the Riverside FM studio. Nate is a decorated Marine who was deployed to the second battle of Fallujah in Iraq (initially codenamed Operation Phantom Fury) as the first point of conflict with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3/5, nicknamed Dark Horse) Company I (India Company) during the Iraq War. It was the single bloodiest and fiercest battle of the entire conflict, including for American Troops. Nate talks about why he joined the Marines, his basic training, multiple deployments, securing houses in Fallujah and witnessing a staggering 1,500 body count in the first 8 days of combat. He then takes us inside his incredible, wild and tumultuous life outside of the Marines after he was discharged for cocaine use and then becoming one of the largest retail cocaine dealers in Las Vegas. Nate bravely admits that the PTSD nearly had him committing suicide before he found Camp Hope and now he candidly tells how he has resurrected his life and purpose, helping others who may be struggling mentally like he was after serving in war.   Some topics are controversial & divisive in nature, but we mean no harm. Please open your mind while keeping your arms & legs inside the vehicle at all times.   Links for everything discussed (of note) in this episode can be found at: https://www.subplots.ca/post/subplots-005-five-alive   (THIS BROADCAST IS FOR INFOTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY)   #Alameda #LasVegas #USMarines #CampPendelton #911 #IraqWar #BattleofFallujah #AfganistanWar #GeorgeBush #WarOnTerror #WeaponsOfMassDestruction #PTSD #CampHope #Houston