Iraq veteran and his family battle PTSD

10 years after Iraq, 40 years after Vietnam, nothing really changes for them or families. That is the most depressing thing of all. Ask a Vietnam veteran when he was there and he'll usually say, "last night" without lying.  He's there almost every night.

10 years after Iraq, Brainerd veteran and his family battle PTSD
Twin Cities.com
By Renee Richardson
Forum News Service
POSTED: 11/22/2014

Josh Heldt while serving in Iraq in 2004. (Courtesy photo)

BRAINERD, Minn. -- A decade after returning from Iraq, Josh Heldt's battle continues.

The 37-year-old Iraq veteran, who lives in Brainerd and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, isn't alone.

Bob Nelson, Crow Wing County director of veterans services, said a strong percentage of National Guard members have dealt with PTSD.

"More than I probably would have initially anticipated," Nelson said.

Often the veteran isn't the one who realizes the problem. Nelson said it can be hard to assess one's self, but family members can see the anger, the triggers, even rage.

"He doesn't realize how bad it is," Heldt's wife Marcie said this summer. They've know each other since high school and married after he returned from his tour. They share a house with three active young children ages 2 to 5 and a 13-year-old.

Everything in their lives revolves around PTSD, from what they eat to where they go to how they fall asleep. Loud sounds, food smells, a napkin left on a floor, a teenager walking into the house wearing headphones - all could set off the anger, which may be followed by days or weeks without talking.

He didn't want to be around people. He shut down. Decisions on social events had to include how many people might be there. Even when he was happy, his family would be tense not knowing when he would explode next. It was like walking on eggshells all the time, Marcie said. Even going to sleep meant an entire production of having things just right.
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