Vietnam vets find war returns when they retire

Vietnam vets find war returns when they retire
By Denise Crosby
Chicago Sun-Times Media
August 20, 2012

Dave Bee led a squadron of Marines through the bloodiest year of the Vietnam War — including the surprise Tet Offensive in 1968. After the war, he moved forward, beyond the horrors of conflict, devoting himself to raising a family, working in the maintenance department at West Aurora High School and doing lots of charity work.

But, like an increasing number of veterans, when Bee retired, the memories of war returned. No longer preoccupied with the business of everyday working life, Bee began experiencing flashbacks from his “14 months in hell.”

Suddenly, this social, outgoing man was struggling with depression. He became increasingly withdrawn from the activities that had given him such pleasure, unable to share his feelings even with his tight-knit family.

“He just never talked about it,” says his 28-year-old son Charlie. “I know how Pops is.

He didn’t want to burden others.”

Bee’s first flashbacks were triggered while playing Santa Claus. There was something about seeing the severely disabled kids on the ground that created images of fallen comrades of long ago. It hit so fast, Bee sent a letter to the Hope Wall School in Aurora giving up his role as St. Nick because of “circumstances beyond my control.”

It’s easy to “push these bad memories to the back of your mind when you’re busy,” Bee says. But when you suddenly have all this time on your hands, “it hits you in the face.”
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