Art Myers is a Viet Nam veteran with memories. In 2005 he and his wife Linda traveled to Viet Nam with a group led by a psychotherapist who works with veterans affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). From the Mekong Delta in the south, to Hanoi in the north, it was a life-changing journey. Art's story is not unusual. He was a sergeant in the Marine Corps in 1968, a radio repairman stationed at Da Nang during the Tet offensive. He saw only one day of combat, but that day affected every aspect of his life for 35 years. Many veterans suffer from their memories of their time at war. They may bury them, or deny them, or run from them, or act out in other areas of their lives. Alcoholism, drug addiction and suicide rates are higher than average, as are failed relationships and chronic unemployment. Art decided to return to Viet Nam, to overlay the memories of the young man during a terrible time with those of a man in late middle age. It was a good choice for him - and for his family. About the book Art says, "I hope that talking about this journey of healing - and how it has changed me – will help other veterans and their families. The idea of helping even one other veteran stop the nightmares and gain some peace made my story worth sharing." Return to Viet Nam: One Veteran's Journey of Healing By Linda G. Myers Arthur H. Myers AuthorHouse Copyright © 2011 Linda G. Myers and Arthur H. Myers, Veteran, USMC All right reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4678-7445-8 Contents January 1968 One Day of Combat..................................1The Years Between................................................13What We Knew.....................................................15Jeanne...........................................................18Making Contact...................................................22September 2004-September 2005 Getting Ready.....................29Homework.........................................................31Father's Day.....................................................34An Invitation....................................................35Plans for Healing................................................36Final Preparation................................................39September-October 2005 The Journey..............................43Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)........................................46Outside Ho Chi Minh City.........................................61Trang Bang.......................................................63Nui Ba Den (Black Lady Mountain).................................65Cau Dai Temple...................................................67Cu Chi Tunnels...................................................68The Mekong Delta.................................................71Da Lat...........................................................86Cam Ranh Bay.....................................................93Da Nang..........................................................96Hoi An...........................................................105My Lai...........................................................108Chu Lai..........................................................112Hanoi............................................................120Ha Long Bay......................................................127October 2005-2011 Afterwards....................................137Home Again.......................................................139Reflections......................................................142Six Years Later..................................................145Acknowledgments..................................................153Glossary.........................................................155Viet Nam Key Dates...............................................159Our Website and Email............................................161 Chapter One January 1968 One Day of Combat My husband Art is a Viet Nam veteran. He was a sergeant in the Marine Corps stationed at Da Nang during the Tet Offensive in 1968. He saw only one day of combat, but that day affected every aspect of his life for 35 years. Here is his story. I joined the Marine Corps in 1964 when I was 21. I attended boot camp (Infantry Training Regiment) at Camp Pendleton, California, and radio school at San Diego. Every Marine is a rifleman first. I was an expert. On August 31, 1967 I arrived in Viet Nam after three and a half years in Southern California. I was ordered to Quang Tri, but my orders were changed because they needed me at Da Nang. In January of 1968, the Da Nang area was an in-country R&R (Rest and Recuperation) area because of its proximity to My Khe beach, known as China Beach by American soldiers. We weren't allowed in the R&R area unless we had official business. Weapons had to be carried in Da Nang, but we were not issued ammunition and could not have a loaded magazine in a weapon. My unit was the normal blocking force for the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vi