U.S. Marine Vietnam Sacrifice by Crystal Mary Lindsey

This story revolves around a young country boy named Raymond who grows up in a small rural town in Tennessee. Ray is patriotic and has always dreamed of serving his country. In 1968 he was conscripted into the army, but he joined the Marines and went to fight in Vietnam. At first, he was excited to go, but soon he experiences war horrors. He witnessed death and destruction daily and was forced to participate in brutal combats that leave him emotionally scarred. As Ray's tour of duty progresses, he begins to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He struggles with flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety and finds it difficult to adjust to civilian life when he returns home. Ray's PTSD affects every aspect of his life. He has trouble sleeping and maintaining relationships. He becomes withdrawn and isolated, using alcohol and medical drugs tocope with his emotions and pain. Knowing God loves him is his life jacket. The story of Ray is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices men and women make when they go to war, and it is also a testament to faith's strength for those struggling with mental health issues. Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite U.S. Marine Vietnam Sacrifice is a memoir by Raymond Isaac Lindsey, a Vietnam veteran, of his experiences after the war, written by his wife, Crystal Mary Lindsey. At nineteen, Raymond (Ray) fought in the Vietnam War against children recruited by the Viet Cong. The experience left him with physical and mental injuries. His therapy and treatment in Japan caused more harm, and when he returned home, he experienced symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Despite having a loving family and friends, Ray felt like he was in another world most of the time, which affected his relationships. He could not sleep because of his narcolepsy, and when he finally closed his eyes, he had nightmares. Ray eventually met Crystal, an Australian nurse whose father had experienced PTSD. The two fell in love, and she brought light into his dark life and helped him confront his demons.