Document Type
1961-1980 Army
Date of Submission
October 2020
Keywords
Mighty Pen Project, Veteran, Memoir, Army, Vietnam, Homecoming, Homefront, Post-Military Life, Death, PTSD, Mental Health, Grief, Coping, Memory
Abstract
A soldier begins to find his way home after returning from Vietnam.
Articles, stories, and other compositions in this archive were written by participants in the Mighty Pen Project. The program, developed by author David L. Robbins, and in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia, offers veterans and their family members a customized twelve-week writing class, free of charge. The program encourages, supports, and assists participants in sharing their stories and experiences of military experience so both writer and audience may benefit.
Author Biography
Malik Hodari is a recipient of the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam, where he served from October 1966 to October 1967. Hodari has used meditation since 1978 to help cope with Vietnam-centric PTSD and polysubstance abuse. He also has used a vegetarian diet to control his Type 2 diabetes for more than 23 years. Hodari says he sees meditation and vegetarianism as part of the peace paradigm for our communities and humanity." He holds a bachelor's degree from Hams Stowe State Teachers University, a master's from Michigan State University and a law degree from North Carolina Central University. "This is all so healing for me," Hodari says "I hope the story helps others." "Blue Devil" was Hodari's radio call sign in Vietnam, where he volunteered for point-man duty daily. Hodari joined the Mighty Pen Project on the recommendation of his Veterans Affairs’ therapist Dr. Brian Meyer. "Blue Devil” covers one chilling day in Vietnam. The essential memories of that day in 1967 were suppressed for 42 years. A VA intake physician triggered the recall when she routinely asked Hodari an obligatory intake question.: "Do you need mental health help?" Face to face with this buried horror, Hodari sunk into a suicidal depression. Immediate intervention and daily sessions resulted in a referral to Dr. Brian Meyer, who helped Hodari recover.
Is Part Of
Mighty Pen Project
