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Post by CPL. Mills 2nd Rangers on Jan 23, 2019 22:13:09 GMT -5
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCdXUrb_4EcI made this PSA on PTSD I'd like to share, when interviewing Helmuth Qualmann we touched on the subject of PTSD. Helmuth Qualmann was a PFC in the 634th AAA AW Bn. During WWII. He served from 1943 - 1945 and in that time he saw action at D-Day, St Lo, and fought his way all the way into Belgium. In Belgium he was captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. The Germans processed Helmuth through Stalag IV-B before sending him to a labor camp near Leipzig. In the labor camps he had to serve as translator as he is fluent in German. This brought him nothing but hardship as he was never able to sleep due to his translating duties. He returned home and would marry in 1948 and have 4 children. Many years later Helmuth wrote a book for his family about his experiences during WWII and thoughts of life after and he would go on to write on the subject of PTSD; "This is the most difficult chapter of my life to write about because it covers the issue of trauma( known as PTSD) and how it affected my family and me. I really thought I was okay but others could see the difference. Some could have cared less if I had made it. My mother mentioned to someone that, 'There is something wrong with Helmuth; he's not acting right.' but she didn't know what was bothering me. I just kept glossing and veneering over my problems. A coward dies a 1,000 times, but a combat man keeps on dying"
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jan 29, 2019 2:24:10 GMT -5
Shell shocked, battle fatigue, PTSD. It doesnt matter what you call it. It has existed as long as man has known conflicf. Combat hauntings is what I call it as like poltergist visitation it comes and goes, is hard to explain,is fleeting and usually (but not always) comes at night or when you're along. Sometimes a sound or smell invites it. It is not a welcome friend. Throw in a little survivors guilt and you have a mixture that is always lingering near by.
My experiences are miniscule compared to many vets I know. Be careful and thoughtful with questions you might think to ask a vet. PTSD is real and it is awful. Memories are not always welcome friends and not particularly thearapeudic inspite of what your best intentions might think.
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Post by CPL. Mills 2nd Rangers on Feb 7, 2019 12:45:27 GMT -5
Yes I completely agree with you, I have learned pretty well how to ask questions, but I did stumble on the way to that knowledge. Fortunately I cut my teeth interviewing my grandpa and he was quick to set me straight with my line of questions. In fact part of his chastising I'm going to include in the documentary, letting me know right quick it's not a game.
Helmuth wants his story to be told, in every interview I have with him at some point he will get emotional but he wants to continue talking. I've had a really hard time interviewing him sometimes because you can see how much his experiences effected him. When I started interviewing Helmuth I wondered if I was asking questions that would bring up to many painful memories however Helmuth's family is present when I interview him and they've told me they are impressed with how I word my questions.
Thank you for your feedback 2ndBat, it is much appreciated. I want to go about these projects in the most respectful manner possible.
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