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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) \u2014 Healing comes in all forms, at all different times. For some Vietnam veterans, 50 years is not long enough to fully heal from what they experienced.<\/p>\n
The Vietnam War is one of the most controversial conflicts in American history, and the pain it caused is still raw 50 years after it ended. While time helps to heal wounds, that war still haunts many who served in it.<\/p>\n
Former Lee High employee who pleaded guilty to having sex with student begins 10 year sentence <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s taken me almost 50 years to get through some of my traumas,\u201d Allen Farley, a Marine Corp. Vietnam veteran, said. \u201cYou\u2019re standing next to somebody and they get killed and you\u2019re still standing there, you know. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI went all this time not even knowing I had PTSD or thinking I had PTSD,\u201d Wayne Harlan, a Navy Vietnam Veteran, said. \u201cThen, all of a sudden, I can\u2019t sleep at night. I have nightmares.\u201d<\/p>\n In an effort to gain healing and peace, several veterans traveled to Vietnam for the 50th anniversary to visit sites where they fought. For others, the mere thought of going back is deeply troubling.<\/p>\n \u201cThe job was you get up, strap it on, go find something to kill every day,\u201d Army Vietnam Veteran John Chancellor said. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t need to go back there.\u201d<\/p>\n How high blood pressure as a child could lead to health problems down the road <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSeeing those veterans going back to Vietnam, I don\u2019t think I could ever do that,\u201d Farley said. I lost way too many people over there.\u201d<\/p>\n But recalling their returns home is not pleasant either.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then you\u2019d go change our uniform into civilian clothes so you wouldn\u2019t get spit on,\u201d Harlan said.<\/p>\n \u201cI had my uniform on,\u201d Farley said. \u201cThis guy came up behind me, punched me in the kidneys, and then ran.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the great losses, significant sacrifices, and disturbing memories, all three veterans said they would do it again. They noted their honor and pride to serve a country they love so deeply.<\/p>\n \u201cMy job was to take care of the guys on the ground,\u201d Chancellor said. \u201cWhatever it took. And it didn\u2019t matter who they were. They were American.\u201d<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n