Chapter+8

Chapter 8 Then one day tragedy did strike. One of the families they were close with had a father at war also and he has been killed from a **roadside bomb**. The families in the area had formed a support group before all of the men and women left for Iraq. It was like Sam’s second family. Once a week during the week all of the families would all get together. They would all do something on the weekend if they had time also. Sam and his brothers had thirty other “siblings” from this group. Everyone played sports or games together. They also had some other types of activities they participated in. During part of the evening the adults would get together and the kids would get together to talk about how they were feeling. Sometimes they would even draw pictures to show their feelings. A lot of kids were having a hard time dealing with what was going on. This was a way for them to learn they weren’t alone and help each other. Sam now knew what his dad was talking about. This was their other family. It was a community within their community of where they lived. Sam remembered what his dad said about sticking together and helping each other out. Within the group of friends they organized a charity basketball tournament for the family. All of the ticket sales would go toward this family. They would also sell baked goods and have a flea market that weekend. Sam figured this was the least he could do to help. Shortly after this tragedy, Sam received good news. His dad would be coming home for two weeks in July. This is what they called “R&R” in the military. He could have some rest and relaxation with this family. Sam was very excited he got to see his dad, but also felt guilty that his friend would never see his dad again. His dad would also make it back in time for the charity tournament and Fourth of July. Things were starting to look better. The family always spent Fourth of July together watching fireworks and being proud Americans. After Sam’s dad was home for the first week things seemed different. His dad was very distant to him and his family. He thought he would be excited to see everyone and asking them lots of questions about what he missed. Instead he spent a lot of time being quiet and being by himself, sometimes even crying. He would hang out with another army friend who was also on leave during the day. This broke his heart that his dad was acting this way. He didn’t understand at all. He thought doesn’t my dad miss me and my family? Why have things changed? Sam didn’t realize there was a real problem until Fourth of July. They always went to the promenade with other families and made a day out of it. First there were barbques and then off to the show. This time everyone was watching the fireworks when suddenly Sam’s dad curled up into a ball on the street covering his ears screaming. The family stood there in shock thinking something was wrong before dropping to the ground to see what was going on. They couldn’t make any sense of what he was screaming about. His screaming fit lasted long enough for other people to take notice. Sam’s mom quickly gathered them together and they made their way out of the crowd and went back home. His mom seemed to know what was going on. This was a clear sign of **post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).**Many times war veterans come home and are severely affected by loud noises such as fireworks or thunderstorms that remind them of gun shots or bombs at war. Sadly later that week Sam’s dad had to go back to Iraq. They knew this is something they would have to deal with when he returned. They didn’t know what else could affect him while he was there. Until Sam’s dad returned home again in six months they continued their weekly visits with their other “family”. If it wasn’t for this group of people coping with similar problems they all would have been very sad, angry, and confused. Joining with people that share similar problems helped them all in many ways. There was always someone to talk to or share your feelings. There was always an activity to do or some way to communicate your feelings. You could do this by talking with others or creating artwork. Sam also saw how this helped his mom and other families. When his friend’s father died they all stuck together like his dad said they should. This was their community. After talking to Sam I couldn’t believe what he has gone through. I thought families just got together at basketball games or on the beach. I didn’t know that families go to each other to share their worries or ask for advice on how to deal with their father not being in the house. I admire Sam for listening to his dad and helping the other family through a bad time in their life. For him to think of what others need and turn something he loves into a charity was so cool. I definitely learned from Sam how you can learn from others and not just in normal places we think of like school. With the help from others you can turn something bad into something good.