November 11, 2020 Veterans Day

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
November 11, 2020

Today is Veterans Day and that is why the feature video is Elton John Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me because that is exactly what we have done to veterans.

  

But these cuts I have 

They need love (they need love, they need love)

To help them heal

Oh, don't let the sun go down on me

Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see

I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free, oh

'Cause losing everything is like the sun going down on me

Don't let the sun go down on me

When we survive the traumatic events that cause PTSD, we do not think about our veterans. Had it not been for Vietnam veterans returning from combat, no one would be doing much about what trauma does to the survivors. They came home and fought for the research and funding...that created all the responses we receive. From trauma units and crisis intervention teams, to mental health professionals and peer support, none of that would have happened, but we do not think about any of that.

Vietnam veterans fought for their generation, and all those who came before them as well as those they knew would come after them. The rest of Americans benefitted from their battles, and so did the rest of the world.

So from PTSD Patrol and all the veterans in our families, thank you! Thank you for all you were willing to do for all of us!

I can't light no more of your darkness

All my pictures seem to fade to black and white

I'm growing tired and time stands still before me

Frozen here on the ladder of my life

It's much too late to save myself from falling

I took a chance and changed your way of life

But you misread my meaning when I met you

Closed the door and left me blinded by the light

Don't let the sun go down on me

Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see

I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free, oh

But losing everything is like the sun going down on me

I can't find

Oh, the right romantic line

But see me once and see the way I feel

Don't discard me, baby don't

Just because you think I mean, you harm

(Just because you think I mean you harm, oh)

But these cuts I have (cuts I have)

They need love (they need love, they need love) 

To help them heal

Oh, don't let the sun go down on me

Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see

I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free, oh

'Cause losing everything is like the sun going down on me

Don't let the sun go down on me

Although I search myself, it's always someone else that I see, yeah

I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free baby, oh

'Cause losing everything is like the sun going down on me

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Bernie Taupin / Elton John

Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group 

For our veterans and all those who risked their lives for the rest of us....

"Then I am still and wait here in the silence"

Dawn of aVeterans Day

PTSD Patrol
Kathie Costos
November 11, 2018

Before dawn yesterday, I went out to Apopka to walk along the path of the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall. I wanted to see the darkness turn to the light of day.

Much like when you drive surrounded by darkness, you can light your way by turning on your headlights, you can do that with your life as well.

The darkness can feel overwhelming at times and it can be hard to see what is around you.

Just like when you were in combat, you had your brothers and sisters with you and they are still around you now. Every experience you had with them remains in your soul. Lean on the memories when you saw kindness, compassion, shared laughter and secrets.

Now what is around you are people who love you and want you to be happy. You have people waiting to help you believe you are not sitting in darkness by yourself and they want to show you how to get back into the light of day.

When dawn breaks darkness, it does not just happen to begin a day. It happens to begin a chance to start with a different way to go. Just like turning on the lights of your vehicle to see better, you have a chance to see your life better. #CombatPTSD and #TakeBackYourLife

This is Veterans Day, so here is a little history lesson on who all of us should thank for what is available today for us after surviving traumatic events.