A Culture Shock

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Multiple people in my family clean my father are veterans.

Speaker 2 (00:08):
Troops that have been to war and now they're.

Speaker 3 (00:10):
Back and think and be grateful for their service.

Speaker 4 (00:13):
Sacrifice, love for their country, just unselfishness, all that they
do for us.

Speaker 2 (00:18):
There are some people in this country who take extraordinary
steps to provide for the freedom and security. We forget
that those people exist.

Speaker 1 (00:27):
We know them as the Army, Navy, air Force, Marines,
and Coast Guard. They call themselves soldiers, seals, rangers, airmen, sailors.

Speaker 3 (00:37):
Devil dogs, and so much more.

Speaker 1 (00:41):
We call them fathers, brothers, sons and husbands, mothers, daughters,
sisters and wives. We call them friend and neighbor. These
veterans answered the call. Now we answer theirs, and they
are the best our country has to offer, and we

(01:02):
love them. Today, we honor them and we serve them.
David Maulsby is your host, and he welcomes you to
this community of veterans. As together we are building the
road to hope.

Speaker 2 (01:23):
And indeed we are glad to have you along. On
a Sunday afternoon, those of you listening on the KPRC,
the nine to five, oh and the am I thank
you for joining us as you drive endlessly around six'
ten on A sunday. Afternoon glad to have you on
This Labor day. Weekend those of you listening to the
magic of, podcasts thank you so very much for not only,
listening but also sharing the podcast. Liberally share it with your,

(01:46):
friends people you wish to be your, friends people that
used to be your, friends, whoever everybody could use a
little bit of, Hope so thank you so very. Much
when you wherever you listen to, podcasts just look For
road To Hope radio and there will be got like
eight plus years of shows on there for you to
listen to and great opportunity to catch up on a

(02:09):
little bit of that during The Labor day weekend while
you're out on the grill having a good time this.
Weekend love for you to do, so hit the subscribe.
Button it'll automatically download each and every week when the
show is, posted and we appreciate you doing that so very.
Much big thank you to our show sponsors allow us
to spend a little time with you each and every.
Week our friends at A Corey diamond And, Design aco

(02:32):
Ri Billion Connie, stagner and it's time to get that
something special for someone, special a cory ac or A
Corey Diamond design two eight one forty two forty seven fifty.
Five they're coming up on their fiftieth. Anniversary, like how
cool is? That as a. Business that's? Awesome oopsteam oopsteam
dot com two eight one eight two two zero five six.
One we keep them on speed all because well we

(02:55):
all have those oops Moments Oops steam dot. Com and
when you're ready to buy your little piece Of texas
for your dream, Home Republic grandranch dot. Com it's not
just the, house it's the, location it's the, people it's the.
Community Republic Grand. Ranch even if you're not ready to,
build that's all, right secure your spot while the opportunity

(03:18):
is there and you can build. Later Republic Grand ranch dot.
Com all. Right got a couple of guys in the
studio with us here. Today, george glad to have you.
BACK i want to reintroduce yourself to the.

Speaker 4 (03:28):
World, yes, Sir george on the anti coordinator from For
campope PST Ptsd foundation In. America i've been with the
organization for two, years currently in school right now to
get become a counselor for the. PROGRAM i like.

Speaker 2 (03:54):
It branch where Served.

Speaker 5 (03:56):
Marines, Uh, camppendleton where'd you?

Speaker 2 (04:00):
Deploy Deployed? Iraq when'd you?

Speaker 5 (04:03):
Go two thousand and four to two thousand and?

Speaker 2 (04:06):
Eight so pretty? Early, yeah all, right, okay glad to
have you. Back so your job again is intake. Coordinator
so For John doe that has no clue what that. Means?
What what's what's the day in the life Of george
like these?

Speaker 4 (04:21):
Days and so let's say RESIDENT a decides to come
to the. Camp he's going to be the first person that.
Comes he, comes, Seee i'm the one that checks him
into the. CAMP i do all his, paperwork give him
a little mini tour, account, go let him get medically

(04:44):
and says through our clinicians to make sure everything's good to.
Go and Then i'll introduce them to his baby mentor
and let's let him continue out the.

Speaker 2 (04:57):
Day all, Right so you're one eventually switch over to
the mentor.

Speaker 4 (05:02):
Side.

Speaker 2 (05:02):
Huh. Counseling, counseling counseling, side, okay, clinical all, right very.

Speaker 4 (05:07):
COOL i got about two semesters done UNTIL i am
graduated from the.

Speaker 5 (05:13):
School i'm.

Speaker 2 (05:14):
In very. Cool that's. Awesome happy for, you that's, Fantastic.
Jonathan you want to introduce yourself to the.

Speaker 3 (05:22):
World, yes, sir my name Is Jonathan. Cordova i'm currently
a Resident Camp. Hope i'm A navy. VETERAN i deployed
to The Persian gulf from late nineties early two thousands
and stationed In england for a, while and Now i'm

(05:43):
back home here In texas by way Of. California very.

Speaker 2 (05:47):
Cool how'd you like living In?

Speaker 3 (05:52):
England it was, great it Was it was a culture
shock for.

Speaker 2 (05:55):
Sure did you ever find any decent? Food?

Speaker 3 (05:58):
Uh, YEAH i, did and most of it Was.

Speaker 2 (06:01):
I'm not a Fan indian. Food there you. Go, yeah
that makes. SENSE a little bit of, spice, yeah get
a little something in. There about the only thing saving
grace over there is the fish and. Chips that's. About oh,
yeah about the only thing that's you, know the rest of.
It they can keep The indian. Food, yeah that'd be,
good delicious. Stuff, yeah. Absolutely. Okay so what years were

(06:22):
you in The navy? Again ninety nine to six sixes
and you'd Pulled Persian? Gulf, yes, sir all, Right so
where'd you grow UP a?

Speaker 3 (06:32):
TOWN i grew up in a small town In california Called, Hemmett.

Speaker 2 (06:35):
California where's.

Speaker 3 (06:36):
That It's Riverside, County, okay about an hour east Of Palm,
Springs i'd, say in about two hours west OF. La
it's a smack dab in the middle of Southern.

Speaker 2 (06:45):
California got you all? Right well that was a bit
of culture shock coming from there to.

Speaker 3 (06:53):
Here, yeah, yeah, Sir. Yeah texas has been great. Though
it's been super the hospitalities is AS i, heard and
it's just been a blessing to be here and be
closer to my brother who's been out here for quite some.

Speaker 2 (07:06):
Time, Okay and how long have you been at?

Speaker 3 (07:08):
Camp i've been at camp since, Maynight, okay So stiver
coming up on.

Speaker 2 (07:16):
Four months, almost all, Right so we're making some headway
then you. Sir very. COOL a reminder as we go
through these, stories we're not a war story, show but
there still can be some things that are. Triggering eight
seven seven seven one seven seventy eight seventy three is
our combat trauma support. Line eight seven seven seven one

(07:36):
seven seventy eight seventy. THREE a combat veteran is going
to answer the. Phone combat that been, there done that
worked his way through. It eight seven seven seven one
seven seventy eight seventy, three going to take a quick,
break be right back with more Of road To Hope.
Radio what was your claim to fame in high?

Speaker 3 (08:13):
SCHOOL i would SAY i was a class. Clown that was.

Speaker 2 (08:17):
All, Right yes. Sir everyone would agree with you on,
THAT i think, So, yes, sir all right. Nice did
you go into The navy right after high? School or two?

Speaker 3 (08:28):
WEEKS i believe two to three weeks right after? Graduation
that's pretty quick myself In Great, Lakes. Illinois, yes.

Speaker 2 (08:33):
Sir why did you choose The?

Speaker 3 (08:35):
Navy i've always loved the. OCEAN i talked to all the,
branches AND i JUST i felt that The navy was
the best fit for. Me looking back on, it, yes,
Sir i'd do it again in. Heartbeat, YEAH i love.
IT i love being out at the.

Speaker 2 (08:49):
Sea, OKAY i don't want to be on a boat that,
long but, yeah for, You i'm. Glad i'm. Glad there's
some guys that like. That that is not. ME i
would not care for that at. All get me out
of that, ship would you like?

Speaker 5 (09:05):
That, GEORGIA i actually been on this. Ship.

Speaker 4 (09:07):
YEAH i was on THE Uss, Ogden and some best
MEMORIES i have is being on, ship like seeing the
sunset and beautiful.

Speaker 5 (09:18):
Seeing dolphins just hopping up and out of.

Speaker 4 (09:20):
Water it's some of the, beautiful most beautiful Things i've
ever seen in my.

Speaker 2 (09:24):
Life how long were you on that? Ship about five.

Speaker 4 (09:26):
Months we did a thing called A westpac and it's
just basically go from port to port to, port train
or have vacation for, marines.

Speaker 2 (09:43):
That's.

Speaker 1 (09:44):
All it.

Speaker 2 (09:44):
Was all, right, yeah give me some. Space i'm not
really SURE i want to be on a boat for that,
long but, again gay for. YOU i would like the, sunset,
YEAH i would like that very. Much and same some dolphins.
Before but. Cool sounds like. Fun so we joined The.

(10:06):
Navy and how long from the point that you join
did you?

Speaker 3 (10:13):
DEPLOY i joined In july of ninety. Nine we DEPLOYED
i Believe may eighth of two. Thousand, okay relatively. Quickly
did you deploy more than, once? Sir, yes, sir we.
Went my first ship was THE Uss. Hewett it got
decommissioned after we returned from our first. DEPLOYMENT i spent

(10:35):
two years In england and THEN i went To Pearl
harbor WHERE i was on board THE Uss Paul hamilton
and we did what they called a carrot, cruise which
stands for a Combat oh, LORD i can't remember.

Speaker 2 (10:51):
The acronym, now but too many.

Speaker 3 (10:53):
Acronyms, Yes, sir did a deployment with THE Uss Paul,
hamilton also in The Western.

Speaker 2 (10:57):
Pacific, okay all, right well you're At Camp, hope which
means there's some combat trauma AND. Ptsd when did you
begin to notice any kind of symptoms or something's not
right Or i'm too anxious or whatever what was going?

Speaker 3 (11:19):
ON i relatively early on AFTER i got, OUT i
noticed that something wasn't. RIGHT i was, ANXIOUS i was
OVERLY i rate zero to one hundred on the rage scale.
Paranoid it took me many years to put two and two.
Together BUT i, noticed probably within the first year of

(11:42):
getting out of The navy that something was not quite right,
anymore the same as it was as from WHEN i went.

Speaker 2 (11:47):
In did you go to college or you get a?
Job what did you do when you got? HOME i
went to.

Speaker 3 (11:53):
COLLEGE i went To California Baptist, university AND i got my,
degree my bachelor's degree in history out there In, Riverside,
california and working at the same working works For amazon
and some odds and ends in.

Speaker 2 (12:07):
Between, okay so you're doing, That you're you're coping how
to whatever degree with some of the early symptoms you
mentioned the hyper, vigilance isolation like was part of what
was going? On uh how did that kind of build over?

(12:30):
Time do you? DEVOLVE i guess, spin spin out of.

Speaker 3 (12:34):
Control uh it went to uh, DRINKING i think just
too to kind of numb those hypervigilant, moments those paranoid.
MOMENTS i just turned to, drinking and it it devolved really.
Quickly it got me kicked out of my, pal out
of my house with my, parents and into my own,
apartment which devolved further into having to move back in

(12:57):
with my parents BECAUSE i had health and, uh just
totally unmanageable.

Speaker 2 (13:04):
Lifestyle so at some point are you reaching out for?
Help are you facing legal? Troubles? What what was it
to kind OF i got to do something.

Speaker 3 (13:17):
Here THE dui was the first thing to kind of
there was there was road signs on the, way but
the d U i was the first. ONE i blew
a point two SEVEN b A c on a d
U i and it was life, altering you, know and
and just kind of in my, face and NOTHING i

(13:39):
could do with the legal troubles and and that was
the first. Sign and THEN i went to a program
through THE va In San, Bernardino california and learned some
tools and and had a significant amount of time of.
Sobriety and then coming back To texas within the last

(14:00):
couple of, YEARS i thought THAT i could have a
drink and it just went back down that, same.

Speaker 2 (14:09):
That same. Hole when did you first go to THE.

Speaker 3 (14:14):
Va it was probably two thousand and, seven about a
year or so after getting out of The, navy back In.
California what caused you do? That it was primarily the,
drinking AND i was having some hearing issues and the
part of the paranoia and just the irritability stuff like.
That that just didn't that seemed a little more excessive

(14:36):
than WHAT i thought it should be for WHO i
knew myself to.

Speaker 2 (14:40):
Be did they diagnose you then WITH pts to YOUR i.

Speaker 3 (14:45):
DIDN'T i didn't stick around really a whole lot for.
That they definitely gave me a they gave me a
diagnosis of, dysthymia which was like a real low grade,
DEPRESSION i. Guess and THEN i went through the program
which was definitely for substance abuse AND i didn't really
stick around to after. THAT i kind of high tailed

(15:06):
it out of.

Speaker 2 (15:06):
There what broke took you? Back just having to?

Speaker 3 (15:15):
HEALTH i had to go to THE i drove myself
to the E r one. DAY i WAS i just
felt THAT i was, dying and they and lo and
BEHOLD i. Was and they took me in and put
me on AN iv drip for a couple of days and,
detoxed and and then FINALLY i just had to face
the elephant in the, room.

Speaker 2 (15:34):
That is that after you came To texas or still In?
CALIFORNIA i still In. California, yes WHICH va did you go?
TO i think it's Called Jerry pettis And Low?

Speaker 3 (15:43):
Melinda, okay, yes?

Speaker 2 (15:44):
Sir all? Right uh so you moved To? Texas how long?
Ago about four years? Ago four years?

Speaker 4 (15:53):
Ago and?

Speaker 2 (15:55):
Whereabouts, Alvin? Texas? Alvin all, right, yes it's not far
from here, too or the folks not from The texas,
area short little. Drive did you go to THE va
here once you? Moved, no, no, sir didn't do. Anything, no,
okay what what drove you to getting some?

Speaker 3 (16:16):
HELP i WAS i had fallen back INTO i was
working a job In Santa Fe texas and just to
cope with the working conditions in my mental. STATE i
started drinking, morning afternoon and. NIGHT i got. FIRED i
started drinking even, heavier and it all coalesced into a

(16:38):
point of WHERE, i being in The, NAVY i knew
how to tie a. NOOSE i had tied a noose
and was getting ready to hang myself and the cops.

Speaker 2 (16:47):
CAME i. DIDN'T i don't know who.

Speaker 3 (16:48):
CALL i think it was my. Wife they, called and
they took me out on an emergency detention order and
sent me to the Clear Lake Behavioral unit and then
from there To West oaks and then From West oaks
To Camp.

Speaker 2 (17:00):
Hope how did you hear About Camp? Hope ORIGINALLY i.

Speaker 3 (17:03):
Had heard about it through a resident who a contemporary
At Camp hope now who is At West, oaks and
he Mentioned Camp hope to me and we started talking about,
it and Then Jim white over.

Speaker 2 (17:15):
There jim's gray, guy amazing.

Speaker 3 (17:18):
Man, yeah, yeah and he mentioned it.

Speaker 1 (17:20):
To me as.

Speaker 2 (17:20):
Well for information On Camp hope as well as our outreach,
programs which we want. Weekly IF i could speak, weekly
support groups across the country combat veteran, support also support
groups for family, members, friends anyone that cares about an
individual that's struggling WITH, ptsd and you just need to

(17:40):
learn how you can best. Help all those groups Across,
texas across the, country as well as virtual all that's,
free all the information on those, groups as well As
Camp HOPE ptsd Post traumatic Stress DISORDER PTSD usa dot.
Org going to take a quick news break and be
right back with more Of road To. Hope R you

(18:19):
you MENTIONED i Think georgie's how long have you been
on staff at Camp i've.

Speaker 4 (18:24):
Been on staff for two, years But i've been WITH
Uh Camp hope for a little over three.

Speaker 2 (18:31):
Years your guestimate how many of the guys coming Into
Camp hope severe alcohol abuse was one of the driving? Factors,
OH i can just give a.

Speaker 5 (18:49):
Guestimation it's just.

Speaker 4 (18:53):
Everybody has their own, stories SO i can't really, say,
hey this is a contributing. Factor if he's an, alcoholic
he's an, addict or anything like.

Speaker 2 (19:02):
That it's a large, percentage a large, percentage and not
obviously not for. Everybody as you, mentioned everybody's story is their,
own but for many alcohol was the first of many
things that they chose to. DO i see you nod
in your. Head over. There, yes serious alcohol.

Speaker 4 (19:24):
WAS myleoc WHEN i came Into Camp, hope UH, ptsd
but drinking was my prefer method of. Impairment and you.

Speaker 3 (19:39):
Were go ahead with what you were whatever you're, Reading, yes,
sir alcohol was the foundation of all the things to
it was the kind of the catalyst of everything. Else
it was just that it's, available and it was just,
effective and it just kind of led to other, things
and and in the most negative.

Speaker 2 (20:01):
Way, yeah so you added to alcohol some other. Things,
okay all, right you know one of the THINGS i.
See i'll just let you comment on, This, george however
you like IS i don't know all your. STORY i
MEAN i don't know good pieces of, it BUT i

(20:21):
surely don't know all of. It BUT i see these.
STORIES i hear these guys telling their stories and interviewed
so many through the. Years, now the alcohol was something
that they. Chose like you just, mentioned it's readily, available it's,
illegal all all those kinds of things kind of helps

(20:43):
temporarily ish take some of the edge, off maybe on
the hypervigilance type of. Thing but, then you, know like any,
drug you, know requires more and more or adding this
or adding, that and then there is at some point something,

(21:05):
happens and whether it's a dui or whether it's an
emotional outburst anger, issue something happens there that kind of
throws shame into. It you mentioned earlier your wife had
called when you were creating the, News so a, spouse

(21:30):
a family, member a, friend whoever views your, outburst your
whatever it is that brings you a little shame and.
Guilt and then we go into the isolation that they start,
isolating pulling further and further, away doing, more drinking, more

(21:52):
or taking more whatever that concoction looks like to try
to sedate. Things and the shame is a big part
of what's going on. There and, there you, know how
do you deal with that one when you're not sober
in the first, place and that's part of your, shame,
uh and you don't really know how to get out of.

(22:12):
That did you ever deal with any of that personally or?
Not your story.

Speaker 4 (22:19):
A lot with. ME i do with like so much
trauma in my, life from childhood to military to. MARRIAGE
i never REALLY i thought this was a normal, thing
like just to feel this. Way it wasn't until about
four or five years ago WHEN i started realizing that,

(22:42):
HEY i have a serious.

Speaker 5 (22:43):
ISSUE i was.

Speaker 4 (22:44):
Drinking like WHEN i first started, drinking it was fun
and it was, Like, okay it's helping me, out it's
mellowing me. Out but after a, while it doesn't become
fun no. More it just becomes a very bad way
of life and waking up the mornings feeling completely a
hangover and you have to have another drink to just feel.

(23:07):
Better and it's just an endless cycle of feeling like,
crap and it's SOMETHING i just.

Speaker 2 (23:15):
Hate.

Speaker 5 (23:15):
Feeling and just just got just thinking about that.

Speaker 2 (23:25):
Feeling, yeah.

Speaker 1 (23:29):
That.

Speaker 2 (23:29):
Happens did you did your first was your first call
to THE va or what was your first call for?
Help what was your first attempt to reach out for.

Speaker 4 (23:38):
Help i've had multiple cries out for, help And i've
gone tried to get. HELP i went to one program
years ago Called Interfaith Disciple, house and it's A christian
based rehabilitation center down In. Conrad it helped me, out helped,

(24:01):
me gave me the trade tools and EVERYTHING i needed
for my, alcoholism but it never helped me with MY.
PTSD i still love the place and, everything BUT i
needed more help than just, saying, hey you're an.

Speaker 5 (24:19):
Alcoholic there's more underlying to.

Speaker 4 (24:21):
That and AFTER i left, There i've gone to other,
places But Camp hope was my saving. GRACE i always
had that, question is why DO i? Drink there's always
a reason for me to, drink AND i never knew
what it. Was and with the help of some staff
members that are still there and that are gone, already

(24:45):
helped me find out what my contributing factor of WHILE
i was always. Drinking and NOW i can manage to
do that IF i see something that's like triggering me to,
like AM i oh, okay all, RIGHT i know the
sign run, off run not just go find one of

(25:09):
my safe people and just talk to.

Speaker 2 (25:10):
Them, jonathan you had mentioned you've been to at least
a couple of THE a type, programs, right, oh just,
one just, one, yes, sir, Okay and it was more
of a rehab type. Thing, yes.

Speaker 3 (25:26):
Sir it was an outpatient twenty eight day program out
there In.

Speaker 2 (25:31):
California. Sir when you first heard the term with a
doctor someone assessing you OF, ptsd what was your response to,
That it was it was a negative. One it definitely

(25:51):
conjured up some images of how they PORTRAY ptsd victims on.
Film AND.

Speaker 3 (25:59):
Tv you, know these combat guys that appear to be
out of their, heads and it was definitely negative connotations
that were brought to.

Speaker 2 (26:08):
Mind, yeah AND i think especially i'd say up to
the last maybe twenty eighteen ish nineteen, ish that was
definitely the. Portrayal like if you if you heard a
story OF ptsd on a local news station or saw

(26:32):
it portrayed on some you, know television nighttime drama, show
that was typically kind of how they showed it and
how they described, it some crazy loon going out just
shooting up the. Place and while that is, possible that
has not been our experience at all in dealing with

(26:53):
this for the last you, know sixteen plus. Years that's
not HOW ptsd. Manifests it's off and, again everyone has
their own, story so there's always, outliers but it typically
turns in we're just like you you're you're you're creating the,
News you're you've got the, plan you're actually beginning to
execute the. Plan that's what we generally see as the

(27:18):
result of combat RELATED. Ptsd it turns inward rather than.
OUTWARD a, REMINDER PTSD usa dot org is our website
for all the information goings on at THE Ptsd foundation
Of america And Camp. Hope, also social media is a
great way to stay up with what's going, on different

(27:41):
opportunities to be a part of our organization and a
part of the. Mission, obviously it takes a lot of
resources TO uh to do what we, do serving veterans
from every military, branch every era of. War we've had
guys serve all around the, world and we do it
all for. Free if you're coming From california or, wherever

(28:02):
we're flying you in and program's, done we're flying you,
home taking great care of you while you're with. Us
you've been eating, well oh, yes, yeah it's that's a usual,
story and it's for sometimes it's you, know drug related
because they just haven't been eating too. Well but we
do try to take great care of our guys while
they're listened with, us and it's always good to hear

(28:24):
those stories of somebody putting on a few extra pounds
when they go into. Camp but all the INFORMATION PTSD
usa dog or dot, org but on social media PTSD
us A PTSD usa that is On, facebook it's on
x and, YouTube all those PTSD usa On. INSTAGRAM i

(28:45):
believe IT'S Ptsd foundation Of. America so we appreciate you
very much following us Retweeting rea whatever they call it,
now thank you very much for. Sharing can't be the
best kept secret, town so thank you so much much
for doing. So All, right we're gonna take one more
break of be right back with more Of road To
Hope radio and were welcome back through The road To.

(29:24):
Hope we. Are you're going to dip into the mailbox
here real. Quickly this actually is written from a graduate
of our program to our national Spokesman Michael, berry who
wrote this directly To, michael he, said Hello, michael my
name is Also, mike AND i currently live In North.

(29:45):
Carolina moved here two years ago after going through probably
the most trying period of my. LIFE i went To
Camp hope as a last resort in late twenty twenty
or twenty. ONE i don't remember exactly BECAUSE i was
drunk most of those. Days, NEVERTHELESS i went To Camp
hope and it saved my. LIFE i met you At

(30:08):
Camp hope's ten year, reunion but before THAT i was
listening to you nearly every day for both. Shows you
were the REASON i knew About Camp hope and the
biggest REASON i went so for all intents and. Purposes
you saved my, life but not just for. Myself while At,
CAMP i went into kidney failure because a cancer was

(30:32):
strangling some of my. INSIGHTS i would have, died probably,
drunk lying in filth and squalor were it not for.
You i'm engaged, now in the best shape of my,
life and gainfully. Employed all the credit goes to. Him
he turned you on the radio whenever it first happened
and gave you the, words words THAT i had grown

(30:55):
to trust to lead me To Camp, hope and inevitably
back to. HIM i don't know if you get, THIS
i sincerely hope you. Do thank you for being, You
thank you for saving my. Life god bless you and.
Yours that's a pretty.

Speaker 3 (31:10):
Cool.

Speaker 2 (31:12):
Pretty cool note for him to send To michael berrys
very much appreciative of all That michael, does all That
iHeart houston does for THE Ptsd foundation Of. America they
do so many things in support of this, mission and
we are truly truly. Grateful but it's always great to

(31:33):
hear those. Stories. GEORGE i mean guys like you who
stay around or become part of the of the. Mission you,
know we get to see you all the, time, thankfully
but when you don't see a guy for, three four
or five years and they're not necessarily hopping On facebook

(31:54):
every other day to show the world what they're up,
to it's always encouraged to hear some of those. STORIES i,
know it's got to be meaningful to you.

Speaker 4 (32:03):
Guys, yeah there's a couple of cases this week WHERE
i haven't heard or thought about a resident and a good,
time and they just pop out of the blue and
just see How i'm.

Speaker 5 (32:18):
Doing we'll just talk for a, while and it's like
we never miss a.

Speaker 4 (32:21):
Step it's just like a military you haven't seen your
brother AND i can't Believe i'm that old, now like.

Speaker 5 (32:29):
Twenty, years but as soon as you see, them it's
like you just saw them.

Speaker 4 (32:34):
Yesterday but especially with this when they're when they were
not living a, life a good, life and now they're
living a good, life and just so great to hear
them doing good and hear their success stories and.

Speaker 5 (32:49):
Everything and just not to sound, cheesy kind of most
my heart hearing.

Speaker 2 (32:55):
That, Sure, yeah it's, uh it's. Good dose of vitamin
supplement strengthens us for the day and for the struggles
that are. Ahead, JONATHAN i want to ask you SOMETHING
i don't really necessarily do that, often AND i have
no idea what your response is going to, be whatever
it is it. Is but you had mentioned you went

(33:18):
To California Baptist, yes for. School So i'm guessing faith
was some part of your life prior to your time
in the. Military, yes, sir huge, part huge. Party, okay
you go to war and, combat you're stuck on a

(33:43):
boat forever, long which Again i'm glad you. Enjoyed that's
not my. Thing how is? That how is your faith
affected by what happened in the? Trauma faith was definitely, impacted.

Speaker 3 (34:01):
This kind of this kind of loss of faith in humanity.
Somewhat i've Always i've told people at camp as, Well
i've always been put in position everywhere in my. Life
i've been put in a place where there's A christian
who's a little more established in their. Faith i've had
RESOURCE i had access, to so it was. Impacted i've

(34:22):
always had people that kind of helped keep me faithful
just by just like it says on the, pavement order
by the pickleball, court iron sharpening. Iron So i've always
had That i've always had that, benefit but it was definitely.
Impacted and for a long time after, THAT i just
kind of coasted with The lord and it was. Lukewarm

(34:46):
it's been within the last couple of years my faith
has been reignited And i'm feeling more hopeful and Seeing
god's mercies on a daily basis in the last couple of.

Speaker 2 (35:01):
Years what would you say drove you back to that
starting a couple of years.

Speaker 3 (35:06):
Ago what was the it was knowing that despite the darkest,
DAYS i JUST i knew he was.

Speaker 2 (35:15):
There he Was.

Speaker 3 (35:17):
It's like the footprints is kind of not to sound,
cliche but none of It i've done on my, own
and he just in my darkest TIMES i FELT i
think it's WHEN i felt the most comforted and and
it was just after enough times of feeling that knocking
at the door THAT i decided to. Respond and it's

(35:39):
been easier some days than, others but just the response
to his wanting to be in daily communion with me
was WHAT i think kind of brought me.

Speaker 2 (35:47):
Around that's. Interesting through the, years there have been a
number of guys that would refer to or even recite
the footprints in the. Sand uh and almost, apologetically just
like you as you, mentioned like it sounds a little
tried or, whatever but it's. TRUE a lot of guys

(36:08):
have felt that and believe that's part of their, story
AND i, LOVE i love to hear. IT i think it's. Great,
Uh camp hope faith, based christ. Centered not everybody's on
board with that that comes into our, program and that's,
okay nobody has to. Be it's just it's what we.
Do What how how Has camp contributed or detracted from

(36:34):
your faith?

Speaker 3 (36:35):
Journey it's contributed in multiple, ways primarily the with THAT,
ctchm the scripture references that's been. Huge you, know there's
been a lot of those verses and Stories I'VE i
grew up with that kind of never got lost but
kind of got put on the back, burner and that
are more applicable and relevant today than they ever have.

(36:56):
Been SO i think it's just kind of relearn some
of these things and being refamiliarized with some of these
things that have just been huge and helping reignite and
re establish my faith and so.

Speaker 2 (37:10):
Forth we just got about a minute, left but you're
good ways into the. Program still got some ways to, go, yes,
Sir BUT i think you're far enough along in it
to kind of have a pretty good understanding and what
it is you're hoping for when you step off the
campus and head back. Home what are you hoping for for?

Speaker 3 (37:33):
You for me, personally it's to maintain this re established
walk with The lord that's, been LIKE i, said coasting
for some time. Now and also just to be able
to utilize these tools That i'm learning at, camps to
have them at the ready and have them at the
quick for those times THAT i know are out.

Speaker 2 (37:53):
There you, know it's.

Speaker 3 (37:55):
We are fortunate enough to be At Camp hope where
we're kind of protected from some of those, things but
at the same, time things go on on a daily,
basis you, know issues of, depression, sadness things at oh
my grandmother recently passed, away and it's those things THAT
i have to prepare for and just be steadfast in my.

Speaker 2 (38:17):
In my sobriety and in maintaining that daily walk with The.
Lord keep, learning keep, working keep soaking in every bit
you can while you're with. Us grateful for what you're,
Doing grateful that you're with. Us. George thanks always good
to see. You appreciate all of the work that you.
Do and serving our vets that come our. Way so

(38:37):
very very grateful for that. Reminder social, Media, FACEBOOK x and,
YouTube ptsd us A PTSD usa AND Ptsd foundation Of
america on The, instagram WEBSITES PTSD usa dot. Org thanks
for listening To road To Hope. Radio wherever you listen to,
podcasts just hit that subscribe button At road To Hope.

(38:58):
Radio thank you for doing, So thank you for. Sharing
have a great, week, everybody