The Storm Cindy Roadifer DTC354 September 20, 2015

disrupted their game of catch. He knew he had to protect his son from the onslaught, so he grabbed him, ran and leaped into the bushes for protection. Piercing screams came from the frightened boy. Suddenly, the sky darkened, Lights flashed, And a crashing BOOM!!

It was not unusual to hear gUnSHots and BLASTS from IEDs from behind the perimeter wall. Mortars and grenades launched from the other side of the wall used to time alarm him, but as time ticked away on his deployment, so, too, waned his nerves. The caution and and cooperation for the protocol of taking cover during incoming fire lasted only until his first encounter with an IED. Thereafter, he seemed to enjoy tempting fate by ignoring the alarms to “duck and cover.” His relaxed attitude changed, however, when he ignored the “incoming” warnings and the yelling of his 1SG because he was enjoying some downtime tossing a football with his much-younger PFC. He heard the rocket propelled grenade launch but he did not see it coming. An earth-shaking explosion quickly followed the flash of light. He could not hear anything immediately after crash, but through the dirt and smoke he could see the young PFC on the ground, writhing and screaming as he reached for the source of his excruciating pain. Rushing blood and tattered pants were all that remained of his lower leg and foot.

The rainwater falling onto his face, and the cries of his son, jolted his mind and he realized he was in the shrubbery of the neighborhood park.

PTSD Like a dark cloud Followed him home from war Moved in to his household Follows him everywhere I T H U R T S