I served in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 179th Transportation Company, U.S. Army, in 2005. We, the 179th TC, spent our deployment delivering supplies to Forward Operating Bases (FOB’s) and providing convoy security. My upcoming collection, "Blast Radius," poetically examines my time in the Iraq war, IED explosions, combat PTSD, depression, alcoholism, family and the aftereffects of war back at home.

I struggled to cope with the aftereffects of war years after returning. Finally, in 2018, while reeling from combat PTSD and going through a divorce, I was ready to seek help. After years of therapy at the Lexington, Kentucky, VA hospital, I'm a different man who hopes to inspire my fellow combat veterans, current military servicemembers and veterans that it is okay to seek therapy. Too many of our fellow veterans, brothers and sisters are struggling or dying by suicide.

My goal is to get this collection into the hands of as many people as possible to show them change is possible. To demonstrate that fear, depression, anxiety and anger don’t have to be the norm. I reached a point in my journey where I didn’t know who I would be without PTSD, that I wouldn’t be interesting or likable without it.

Make no mistake, I’m not cured. There is still work to be done, but I am in a far better place today than I was before. I know first-hand the work The American Legion does to help veterans. What better organization to help me spread the word about "Blast Radius." Thank you!