Older veterans reach out to new generation

Older veterans reach out to new generation
By MARTIN J. KIDSTON - Independent Record - 08/21/09


FORT HARRISON — Mike Collins opened the serenity prayer and lifted the microphone to his lips.

The Vietnam veteran received the prayer during inpatient treatment at a clinic in Boise, one equipped to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference,” Collins read, clearing his throat. “I must admit, I spent a good deal of my life not being able to tell the difference.”

It took more than 35 years before Collins recognized the difference and found the courage to change what he could.

Like the veterans flanking his left and his right Thursday outside the VA, the hat-wearing soldier admitted his struggles and spoke of his need to keep a new generation of veterans from making the same mistakes he did.

Collins was one of several men who shared his thoughts at an open house Thursday aimed at promoting the vet-to-vet method of counseling.

“I’ve already fought my battles, and I have great confidence in using what I’ve learned to help my brothers and sisters so they don’t have to go through the 35 years of misery I went through, and the misery I put other people through,” he said.
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Older veterans reach out to new generation