A Local Soldier's Long Road Home: Dealing With PTSD

A Local Soldier's Long Road Home: Dealing With PTSD

POSTED: 10:38 pm EST February 22, 2008

WHEELING, W.Va. -- A local Iraq war veteran opened up to NEWS9 about the daily struggles of living with post traumatic stress disorder.

When soldiers leave the war zone, it’s not always a happy homecoming.

"When I came home the first time,” said Ryan Flowers, 25, of Moundsville, “I thought something wasn't right. I felt out of place."

Flowers is one of thousands of Iraq veterans dealing with PTSD.

He served two tours in Iraq, and his jobs included being a heavy wheel mechanic and convoy security.

Flowers’ job in convoy security required him to protect groups of civilians and war supplies.

“Making sure we could get supplies from one camp to another to support the ongoing war effort,” said Flowers.

While Flowers worked at night, his visions are clear as day.

“A night in December, we were leaving Mosul, and there was an explosion on the horizon," said Flowers. “To see an explosion come up over the horizon from that distance, it was my best friend who was in that explosion. He's OK, as OK as you can be."
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