How do you fight for a country that may not fight for you? In this episode we meet a Vietnam-era Veteran who grapples with the complexity of understanding his place in a foreign war that ended, and the domestic war on racism that he cannot escape.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.

Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss.

Lola Baird is a licensed clinical social worker at the Boston VA Healthcare System. Lola received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her Masters in Social Work from Boston College. Lola has spent the last decade providing direct clinical care support to different Veteran populations. Currently, Lola works as the clinic manager and senior social worker for the Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury clinic.

Resources and Further Reading for this episode:

• VHA Office of Rural Health
• Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version
• The My Life My Story Podcast
• National Center for PTSD
• VA Mental Health
• Article about PTSD and racial trauma
• Article about Uncovering the trauma of racism
• Podcast on how technology can support people with PTSD

Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:

• Call 988, then select 1.
• Start a confidential chat.
• Text 838255.
• If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.