U.S. Marine Vietnam Sacrifice

<p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>By this we know love because He (Jesus) laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren John 3:16.</strong></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>This story revolves around a </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>young country boy named Raymond</strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> who grew up in a small rural town in </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Tennessee.</strong></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Ray is a patriot and has always dreamed of serving his country.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>In 1968 he was conscripted and </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>joined the Marines to go and fight in Vietnam.</strong></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>At first he is excited to go but soon he </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>experiences war horrors.</strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>He witnesses death and destruction daily and is forced to participate in brutal combats that </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>leave him emotionally scarred.</strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> </span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>As Ray's tour of duty progresses he begins to </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).</strong></p><p><br></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>He</span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> struggles</strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> with </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>flashbacks nightmares and anxiety </strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>and finds it difficult to adjust to civilian life when he returns home. </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Ray's PTSD affects every aspect of his life</strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> and he has</span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> trouble sleeping and maintaining relationships.</strong></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>He becomes </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>withdrawn and isolated</strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> using alcohol and medical drugs to cope with his emotions and pain.</span></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Knowing God loves him is his life jacket.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>The story of Ray is a beautiful reminder of the sacrifices </strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>that men and women make when they go to </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>war</strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> and it is also a </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>testament to faith's strengths for those who struggle with mental health issues.</strong></p><p><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Trust in the Lord </strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Proverbs 3:5-6.</strong></p>