I'm Dennis G. Wood Sr and This is my Story!
I am expecting several possible outcomes from this effort!
1. Tell the stories I've kept silent for all these years.
2. Hope that it helps another soldier cope and find help!
3. Share with family and friends an honest truth of reasoning.
4. Bring attention and support for the FOGLINE community.
40 & a Wake Up!
Diary of an old vet and his personal survival journey with PTSD.
It’s been forty years since I was taken out of Vietnam on a stretcher with a multiple fractured ankle, but I never ever really came home! It wasn't the direct results of enemy contact but that of a drunken, stoned GI who was afraid to go out on a recovery mission!
Sure, I have a history and a gambit of events documenting my life, but the secrets I’ve chose to carry have daunted my relationships and associations in some profound and precarious ways!
Here I will try to unveil my story in hopes it helps understanding and maybe prevent others from having to travel this less than desirable journey we tend to hold within!
I've always wanted to write a book about all the things happening to me and those lives that have touched me and those lives that I have touched. Not sure how to put it together, I'll start here and pray for guidance. Each of these time frames contains a story and significant piece of my puzzle. When it looks like a book, we will publish it and give 50% earnings to supporting families of veterans.
Here's a dateline with some of the things I'll share and include;
(Dr. Do. Go. Wo.) Pt1
1967. Joined ARMY 26 days after turning 17 to suport our countries military forces. After basic training at Ft Cambell Ky and AIT in Abradeen, MD I went to Persion Missles someplace in Germany. (Schwabus Gamund, can't spell)
1968. Turning 18 in Germany I requested to go to Vietnam where I felt I could serve a better cause supporting our troops.
1969. Turned 19 in Vietnam on the DMZ with the 5th Mechanized Infantry as 63c20 track mechanic and VTR recovery specialist. Several stressors or events which escalates my traumatic experiences have been revieled unresolved issues during my visits with the VAMC.
1970. Medivaced back to States, Ft Carson, CO. When I got home, I could not feel comfortable being indoors and chose to sleep in my car. I could not associate with anything or anyone in that town
1971. Found work in my home town LaCrosse, with Ammco Transmission, Daul Ford and finally G.H.Brewery (Old Style). Married Childhood sweetheart Shirley heading for the American Dream!
By August Civilian life seemed like a sham so re-enlisted and took my wife to Europe where PTSD and Agent Orange begun to really show their presence. We had no clue and the military wasn't telling!
1972, My illness had progressed into pain intolerable and with no help from Europe doctors was airvaced back to Great Lakes Navel Hospital to undergo 2 weeks testing resulting with no conclusions.
1973 Instructor at Ft Ord CA. Our first child was born. I was promoted to Supply Sgt.
Got Levied to Ft Bliss, TX.
1974. Wife and I managed a small apartment complex while my career in the military put me in the top pistol shooters and a position on the special marksmanship unit, commanding range control and competitive shooting matches.
1975. I was in a full progression of the onset of PTSD. I got angry fast and devastating.. I didn't trust myself, the Army or anyone! I had a war going on in my mind and had little to no control when triggered!
our fight in Vietnam was over and I felt no purpose serving so I decided after 7 years active duty, to end my career with the military and go home to try to get my life together. I signed on for one more year with the National Guard.
August 31, 1975 our second child came a beautiful girl we named Mindy.
1976, Opened a garage & service station called Wood's Auto Stables. Fast gas brought that to a close and I was developing deeper with PTSD.
1977, had worked at Machine Products where they laid me off because I wouldn't hold back on production to keep back with the labor union! took a trip to Gillette WY in hopes of making big money in the oil fields. My wife sent me a letter with a passage that sent me to a church where I was born again! That Fall returned home defeated.
I got a job with Burns Security and worked as armed guard at the Genoa Power Plant.
An intense application campaign landed me one of the best jobs in my life! I became a MTU city bus driver.
1979, Constantly haunted by memories and alienated conceptions distorted and aggravated with PTSD. I was on alert constantly with little rest.
I assisted two rescues off the bluffs and never stuck around after for any attention.
I feared for my wife and family so I progressively and methodically pushed them away using any method that seemed fit for the time!
My wife finally divorced me and took our girls to find safety!
A lot of the next two years is a blur. Searching for love in all the wrong places! Not believing in myself or my cause anymore. I became my own worst enimy and nobodies friend with suicidal and homocidal tendencies keeping me angry at life.
1981 I worked in Milwaukee as a fleet inspector for Learman Tire Co. and it was there we learned I was exposed to Agent Orange!
There came some answers that turned into more confusion. Like would my government spray me and betray me? "Sure as shit did!"
Failed suicide attempt brought me to VVAW.
This ended one period of my life, not knowing truth and being a victim introduced me to a new life of survival and searching for answers!
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*______________________
DrDoGoWo Pt2
With 8 1/2 year in the service, I had no contact or association with any veterans or organizations after getting out in 76 until 1981.
I got involved in raising money for the "WALL" from 1980.
I was invited to travel to Washington DC to attend the National Agent Orange Conference where I was a committee chairman of one of the groups. It was exciting to have the opportunity to be present for Ground breaking ceremonies for the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial!
I was caught on a movie by Country Joe McDonald called The Nam Experience. I still have a copy.
1982 After living in the woods and then my sister's attic
I was persuaded to visit the VAMC in Tomah.
I became a member of and graduate of the 2nd PTSD group to proceed under Dr Gary Palmer.
Returning home I became a founding member of the Vietnam Era Veteran's of LaCrosse.
I joined the DAV chapter 12 in LaCrosse.
I founded VVFOG (Vietnam Veterans Family Outreach Group), and publicly spoke including schools, but PTSD was not finished with me yet!
Nov 11, 1982 I checked out of the Milwaukee VA domiciliary to attend the dedication of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, "The Wall" with $5.38 in my pocket. Camped out with Country Joe McDonald and many other celebs volunteering to help make a difference!
1983 I begun a career driving semi across the road!
1984 I moved to Kansas City in hopes of starting a new life seeing I had pretty much totally destroyed mine back home so far!
I met a great person and special friend to this day, Susan Ware. She helped me see life from a different perspective but I still didn't feel set!
I worked several jobs including short order cook,a couple little sales jobs including RAINBOW Vac's!
Finally I got a good job with Earp Meat Company delivering to the McDonalds restaurants in five states!
1985 I met and fell in love with Dixie. Soon she and her beautiful children, Tiffany and Justin Draves, moved in with me and soon we were expecting an unexpected child!
I was returning from Lincoln Nebraska and while stopped on the scale I was hit from the rear by another semi which lander me in the hospital for eight months and two years physical therapy.
1986 while I was still in the hospital on pass my lovely daughter Teresa was born! After discharge from Topica VAMC, I worked as a car salesman at Classic Chrysler on State Ave in Kansas City KS while recuperating and made high sales two months in a row with no experience!
1987 I got a very small settlement and brought my new family to Wisconsin where we bought 60 acres by Lake Holcombe, where we chose for better schooling and area to raise our children!
1988 While working for Marshal Cheese in Contract, I married Dixie, Teresa's mother whom I love and adding Tiffany and Justin step children who I still feel like my own!
1989 I was hospitalized again for PTSD My third inpatient treatment. Getting out, we started a used thrift store "WOOD's NU-2U" to support the community and try to carve out a living for us!
1990 my son Dennis II was born and is the only male descendent in my family out of me and three brothers.
Mid year several events happened that caused us to get divorced. I got Teresa and Denny and she got Tiffany and Justin!
1991 Dixie and I were trying to patch things up and moved back in together for all the kids!
Dixie's father suffered a heart attack and we decided to move down closer to KCKS for six months temporally!
Our plan was to stay till summer and then return to build on our property.
A Veteran's Day Parade by our house in Bonnor Springs had a decked out tricycle for a disabled veteran and we talked quit a bit which encouraged me to get involved by joining Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 317, KCMO.
Dixie and I were deeply involved with the Military Veteran's Forum on AOL and both hosted the chat rooms on different nights. This involvement with the veteran's needs and demands we bought an 800 number so we could run a 27/7 crises hotline we did in our home with four active children at our feel.
1992 Was a honor meeting with and sharing information with so many veterans and issues of concern.
Nov 11 we took the voyage to DC in an RV to celibate the 10 year reunion of the dedication of the "WALL" We took 8 hrs of video around that day including my opportunity to shake hands with Al Gore who spoke that day!
1993 is when we got deeply involved with AOL and created the FOGLINE.
Nov 93 we published our second newsletter in a 8 page tabloid and brought thousands of copies to DC and handed out at the wall and on the mall! We attended the dedication of the nurses memorial,
1994 was a struggle but we put out several other newspapers and ran our halfway house and information network.
1995 we published our first magazine format and our last issue together. I had determined that our relationship was over and returned to Wisconsin with Teresa and Denny to continue the life best suited for our future.
1996 Not yet settled I was convinced that the magazine must continue so we assembled a crew and published the first and last magazine from Ladysmith. this could make one complete book in it's own. Teresa broke her ankle watching the little ones, Denny and my grandchildren Christopher and Alex. This was unacceptable for me as a single parent to neglect my parental duties and so I shut down the office and boxed it all up for sometime in the future!
(2011 will be that time!)
Lessons from the past to build a future with FOGLINE
The magazine is a given. With a little effort we will reestablish a well rounded and recognized publication directed to the families of veterans. All the benefits listed and some we haven't discovered yet!
Ceramic shop for all to come and work on projects as a community and create gifts and idem's for fundraising.
We have approximately 7,000 molds donated and in storage waiting for a place to grow.
<Dr. Do. Go. Wo> Pt3
1996 After packing the FOGLINE into storage, I tried to provide for my children as a single parent with disabilities.
1997 We bought a older mobile home from my niece Jody and set it up on our land by Lake Holcombe!
1998
1999 I experienced a painful heart attack and thanks to my daughter for thinking of aspirins, I'm still here today.
2000. January I got to take my first ever real vacation to Negril, Jamaica for only 4 days but from this winter it was heaven!
I had some revelations while in the Middleton VA hospital and upon returning home I called my friend Frank K. from the American Legion and offered my services as volunteer.
2001
2002.
2003.
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
My dreams for 2011
It is my intention to get the Magazine published and established.
Create a network addressing our needs.
8 day vigil along the hwy 27 in an attempt to bring awareness to needs in the community.
The local news and radio refused to report or cover the event and about 35 people actually stopped to show support or even ask what was going on!
Is it evidence that most people just don't care anymore?
I need to research a bit to fill this gape as so much has happened and I didn't take many good notes!
What I believe I have to offer and share 50/50;
Photography, (Weddings, Anniversaries, Parties, Events) Half of every dollar taken in donated to cause, other half shared with workers
DJ Music ( 50,000+ songs)
Karaoke system ( 20,000+ songs)
Musical instruments & lessons, (Guitar, keyboard)
Public Speaking, Veteran's, (motivation, activate)
Motivational, Self Help and DIY Library
Audio and PDF books 1,000+
Computer software and lessons. (Windows or Mac)
Billiard Table and instructing /coaching experience
Gamming video poker machines to non profit use!
28 years experience as Veteran's Advocate.
Resources and contacts through out Veteran Community
Much more than I can't mention now!
"Grass isn't always greener across the fence! Count your blessings, not your woes my friend,”
My children never had a good xmas because when they needed and depended on me, I was thousands miles gone and years away with PTSD! I will never expect them to understand but maybe now I will learn how to tell them the whole story, why I cannot get into this season without wanting to die! I try to avoid acknowledging the season like a plague until someone demands my involvement, which usually sends me going off on the world through whoever is there! I'm ok with most of that now but the ...pain never goes away! I used to drink it away but hate the taste of liquor now!
Sleep tight cause I won’t at night!
