iStockphoto / flySnow
Memorial Day is a time to reflect and pay your respects to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country and died for the United States. The U.S. Army attempted to get a conversation started about military members and it backfired stupendously, but it did give regular civilians jaw-dropping testimonies of what servicemen and women put on the line when they button up that camouflage military uniform.
The official Twitter account for the U.S. Army shared a video of Pfc. Nathan Spencer, a scout with the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, explaining how the Army has positively influenced his life. The Army’s Twitter account then asked their followers: “How has serving impacted you?”
Hear from Pfc. Nathan Spencer, a scout with @FightingFirst who shares how the #USArmy has influenced his life.
Video by @FortBenning #WhyIServe #KnowYourMil #ArmyValues pic.twitter.com/yvkHAbFhUK
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) May 23, 2019
For the most part, the responses that went viral were stories of military members who suffered great physical or emotional damage from serving in the Army. The tweets are absolutely heartbreaking. There were over 11,000 responses to the question, that ranged from being separated from their families for long periods of time to sexual assault to debilitating injuries to poor treatment from VA hospitals to PTSD to depression to suicide. Here are just a few of the heartwrenching stories, but you should check out all of the important stories in the thread.
https://twitter.com/johnsoncale1/status/1132840016693014529
I am so sorry. The way we fail our service members hurts my heart. My grandfather served in the Korean War and had nightmares until his death at 91 years old. We must do better.
— Andi 🗣TEXT ACT to 644-33 (@philadelphiandi) May 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/OttoLontra/status/1132049146464964608
My best childhood friend lost his mind after his time in the marines and now he lives in a closet in his mons house and can barely hold a conversation with anyone. He only smokes weed and drinks cough syrup that he steals since he can't hold a job.
— Mattao Mischief Melly (@Matthew05761231) May 25, 2019
my dad served 20+ years and has extreme ptsd and countless injuries. one of my uncles committed suicide, and i lost two of my childhood friends before the age of 21. but yay military! 🤗
— moved to @wayvtbt (@sehunsIuvbot) May 24, 2019
My grandpas brother had such bad ptsd that he constantly leaves for long times, telling no one where he’s going and doesn’t know how to process his anger without violence
— bee🧪🪶 (@ChemicalCowgrl) May 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/JLKagubatan/status/1132052088190406656
https://twitter.com/ShigBit/status/1132060898854498304
My best friend from high school was denied his mental health treatment and forced to return to a third tour in Iraq, despite having such deep trauma that he could barely function. He took a handful of sleeping pills and shot himself in the head two weeks before deploying.
— Shane Burley בד (@shane_burley1) May 25, 2019
my grandpa served in vietnam from when he was 18-25. he’s 70 now and every night he still has nightmares where he stands up tugging at the curtains or banging on the walls screaming at the top of his lungs for someone to help him. he refuses to talk about his time and when you-
— elle (@clownybat) May 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/builtcftough/status/1132054354809229314
Made me grow up with with a hyperparanoid and controlling father. My sister and i were hardly allowed to step out of our room. He had horrible anger issues, admitted to contemplating suicide. My family says he used to be different before enlisting. He wanted to be an artist.
— nu metal shawty (@krogerbranded) May 24, 2019
https://twitter.com/ShanusMcAnus/status/1132062775134576643
lemme think
I didn’t serve but my brother did
he never went to war but still shot himself in the head so— penni. shiny and new (@Pennijj) May 24, 2019
My dad, a Vietnam veteran, can no longer function without being stoned. He is terrified of crowds, loud noises, and strangers.
— grass toucher, sunshine enjoyer 🇵🇸 🇸🇩 (@Katchin05) May 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/lacymjohnson/status/1132273031357902848
My dad had lifelong medical complications from exposure to Agent Orange and he spent the last few years of his short life fighting for the VA to acknowledge his condition.
— Archie Danger (@ArchieSwift) May 26, 2019
Depression, anxiety, still can’t deal well with loud noises. I was assaulted by one of my superiors. When I reported him, with witnesses to corroborate my story, nothing happened to him. Nothing. A year later, he stole a laptop and was then demoted. I’m worth less than a laptop.
— schmox (@IvoryGazelle) May 25, 2019
How has serving impacted you?
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) May 23, 2019
Found my mother in the closet after her tour in Afghanistan with a knife, she’s still afraid of firework sounds. It’s impacted me because my mom won’t ever be the same mentally. So thanks for that.
— 360 Brat (@naathantyler_) May 27, 2019
My family friend whom we love dearly was exposed to agent orange , he now has multiple health issues upon health issues, night terrors, takes more than 10 pills a day for all of his problems that cause more problems , has depression and anxiety , barely wants to keep fighting
— Keely 💕 (@keelyshay8) May 26, 2019
My friend's dad is a disabled Vietnam veteran with Dementia who suffered effects of Agent Orange.
He's currently in a multiple appeal process w/ @NJDMAVA for a spot in the dementia unit of the nearby VA Home that says it "can't care for his needs."#VeteransDeserveBetter pic.twitter.com/BBaVmc0bUQ
— Doctor of Words (& tights & over/under guesses) (@docllv) May 27, 2019
My brother went at 18, served as a sergeant in the Gulf war, came home a loner and an alcoholic, walked in front of a train one day. I got this tattoo for him. pic.twitter.com/vXVMU013TI
— #CitizenG (@TheG_ist) May 27, 2019
I lost custody of my son. I came home from Afghanistan then my service was used against me even though this was my first deployment and not knowing how to defend against someone who is dishonest in court. Smh. Sacrifice is bs. #femaleveteran #warishell #mycountryforgotme
— Anita C Roberts 🇱🇷 (@theluxuryceo) May 27, 2019
The VA hospital actually almost killed my godmother’s dad (served in Vietnam) last week. He was given 20 mg of a diabetes drug; hours after leaving the VA hospital, he collapsed. The doctor at the hospital the ambulance took him to said they would NEVER prescribe more than 5 mg.
— Emily M (@emilynm41) May 27, 2019
As we honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice this weekend by remembering their service, we are also mindful of the fact that we have to take care of those who came back home with scars we can't see.
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) May 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/johnsoncale1/status/1132840016693014529
He was LtC Thomas A Wren
killed Talill 5 Nov 2005
Here he was with 4 of his 5 children.
I miss him every day.
Every damn day. pic.twitter.com/wPfVH9bhYe— 🥕🥕 Coco Pazzo 🥕🥕 (@CocoPazzo) May 25, 2019
The Army’s Twitter account responded to the tweets:
To everyone who responded to this thread, thank you for sharing your story. Your stories are real, they matter, and they may help others in similar situations. The Army is committed to the health, safety, and well-being of our Soldiers. As we honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice this weekend by remembering their service, we are also mindful of the fact that we have to take care of those who came back home with scars we can’t see.
If you’d like to help out veterans who were injured while fighting for your freedoms, you can make a donation at any of these charities: Fisher House Foundation, Homes for Troops, ThanksUSA, Wounded Warriors Family Support, and the Semper Fi Fund.
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