My last job was working with VA, and a VA contractor. Helping disabled Veterans with school, counselling, purchasing quality of life materials, helping with resumes, obtaining employment, and a whole range of connected issues. I LOVED IT.
It broke my heart since I had FINALLY found my post service calling, only to lose it when they had to give up the contract and my job went with it. But it was 3 great years.
Since then, I have lived on first my 50% service disability, PTSD and then at 62 Social Security jumped in to help out. I retired.
Also, since '97. I have run a website, (early social networking) for the Vietnam Veterans of my Combat Alma Maters, 6th and 2nd Battalions, 77th Field Artillery, 4th and 25th Infantry Divisions. ALWAYS BEHIND, But we have had some very gratifying successes. We've had some re-connects with combat buddies, and hooked some of the relatives of some of our KIAs up with troopers who knew their loved ones, and could help them achieve at LEAST a Modicum of closure. Plus, together, we are still keeping alive the Vietnam part of the history of a fine Field Artillery Battalion alive.
In '09 I wrote a book about my and some of my "Non Essential Personnel" cohorts, fellow troopers, whose jobs can not be done during actual close combat, so while under attack, we reverted to what the Army trained us to be FIRST ----- what we were fresh out of basic ---- and were told we would always be -----"Rifleman First"
It did really well, sold about 50 whole copies, LOL~!!!! The the biggest part of it doing well was.....it was a perfect way to talk out my Vietnam Story, and "Get it off my chest" as they say in the movies.
