Results tagged “PSTD” from BoldMan Chronicles

This is the final post in our three part BoldMan Chronicles interview with Phil Downer, a Viet Nam veteran and the Founder and President of the Discipleship Network of America. This is the follow-up to our last interview (read here) where Phil described the effect the Viet Nam war had on his family, job, and personal life. 

In our last BoldMan Chronicles interview with Phil Downer, a Viet Nam veteran and President of the Discipleship Network of America, he described two particularly painful battles he endured while serving in Viet Nam.  Read that interview here.  We resume this interview having just learned that Phil had been downed by shot that hit his pack, when his best friend and gunner, John Atkinson, landed on him, dead in his arms.  Only three days earlier Atkinson had taken the position that Phil occupied prior to his promotion.  In Phil's words, "he died in my place."

Courage can be defined as confronting that which threatens to undo you. And some of the most courageous acts occur when we turn inward to do battle as a consequence of trauma in our lives. Phil Downer put his courage to the test as a young Marine serving in Viet Nam forty years ago; an experience that left deep and traumatic wounds. Earlier this year, Phil had an opportunity to once again put his courage into action by returning again to the very soil where so much blood was spilt. BoldMan Chronicles had the opportunity to get a personal debriefing of his trip. Phil is the President of the Discipleship Network of America and a great friend of BoldPath Life Strategies. Read his earlier BoldMan Chronicles interview.