A web site that shares the emotional and spiritual experiences of the Vietnam War through poetry, stories, and photos by combat veterans.

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Violated: Male Sexual Trauma in the Military

Excerpts from Gregory A. Helle’s book “A Walk In Hell”

“In June, 1969 my world as I knew it came to an end. I had already experienced death. I had seen comrades blown beyond recognition. I had killed. Then it really crashed in on me. I spent my time in Vietnam either on duty or drunk or on drugs. Self-medication helped drown the emotions. Emotions were fatal.”

“One such night, I returned to my bunk intoxicated as usual. I stripped and passed out. Later that night I was awakened; I was being attacked and had no way to fight back. I was involved in a nightmare that I could not have possibly imagined. I was assaulted by a soldier who bunked just across the hall from me. ”

What gives a man

The right to violate

Another man

So shamefully

To take something away

That cannot be replaced

To destroy a man’s future

To take away his manhood

The act seems so small

So insignificant

But the burden it has brought

Is more than I can bear

Anger

Rage

Frustration

All part of what I feel

Suicidal

Over what I lost

Pain

Always there

I don’t know how to put this in the past

Where it belongs

How to stuff it back

Deep

Forever

Copyright 2002 - Gregory A. Helle

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