In this episode, we hear the extraordinary story of John Hastings, a Vietnam veteran who shares his experiences from the war. John recounts tales of bravery, loss, and the deep bonds formed with fellow soldiers amidst the chaos of combat. He reflects on his life after Vietnam, the struggles with PTSD, and the unexpected blessings that followed. Join us for a heartfelt journey exploring courage, patriotism, and the enduring impact of war on a soldier's life.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you're not alone. These resources are here to help, listen, and guide you toward healing:
* National Center for PTSD (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs): https://www.ptsd.va.gov
* Veterans Crisis Line (U.S. only): Dial 988, then press 1 or text 838255Confidential support for veterans and their loved ones, available 24/7. Website: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
Honor Flight
https://www.honorflight.org/
Chapters:
(00:00) "John served in Vietnam and got compensated for his Parkinson's..."
(04:32) "John enlisted in the military in 1968 and went to Vietnam in 1969..."
(09:36) "Did you train with anybody that you were in basic with over there..."
(12:21) "After basic training, you went to Alaska for six months..."
(15:14) "Did you like dealing with the tanks?"
(18:01) "John Hastings went to Vietnam with the 11th Armored Cavalry..."
(21:56) "So when you land there, did you feel like you were on Mars?"
(25:27) "How often would you go out on a patrol looking for VC?"
(28:02) "What was your first combat interaction when you got there?"
(31:09) "You spent all your time in Vietnam at that place then?"
(32:36) "John says shrapnel twice saved him in Vietnam..."
(36:17) "About 500 VC were killed during a ground attack at our base..."
(44:48) "You said there was a lot of Agent Orange used in Vietnam..."
(48:51) "Were you ever ambushed on patrol?"
(50:18) Fragging in Vietnam
(54:41) "For a long time I thought about committing suicide after Vietnam...."
(57:33) "Did you feel negativity people had about Vietnam vets after coming home?"
(01:03:39) "What advice would you give to somebody young right now about joining the military?"
(01:08:47) "How often would you fly on the helicopters?"