In death, a life gains perspective

In death, a life gains perspective
December 24, 2011 09:02:52 AM
Valerie Garman / Florida Freedom Newspapers
PORT ST. JOE — They never talked about the war much. They didn’t need to.

“(My brother) and I didn’t get into conversation too much about the war,” said Vietnam veteran Nick Fernicola. “We both knew what each other went through without talking about it; and that was enough.”

He and his brother, Joe Fernicola, saw hard combat in Vietnam, where they both served in the Marine Corps.

Like many Vietnam veterans both suffered from the nightmares and flashbacks brought on by post-traumatic stress disorder upon arriving home, and for years following.

“They say time heals all wounds, and (the PTSD) wears off after some time,” Fernicola said. “I know Joe had a harder time than me because he was there twice as long.”

Time may have helped, but for Joe time ran out far too soon, and with many accomplishments unrecognized.

In 2008, Joe was found dead in his condo in St. Joe Beach, days before his 57th birthday.


read more here