Replies

“Tell Mr. Zinn that his photo had nothing to do with Joseph’s death.

Joseph loved that picture. He had it in his “I love me” binder where he kept all of his memorable clippings, photos and awards.

He was a modest person and sometimes he took the photo down in our office because people’s reaction to it, like he was a celebrity or there obtuse questions, would embarrass him.

It didn’t “force him to relive the war”. He would sit, for hours sometimes, on the computer googling page after page of photos and slide shows and montages set to patriotic music.

So if a single photo could be responsible, it would be impossible to narrow it down to one of the hundreds he constantly was looking at. Joe was sick.

Not weak or crazy. He had PTSD- badly. Some people internalize horror differently than others.

I thought I was ready to work in a level 4 trauma room until the day I saw a 9 month old die in front of me. How the doctors, nurses and other medics could continue to work there every day, I don’t know. I never went back. It affected me differently and I responded differently.

Joe was the best friend I ever had, a good person and a patriot. We knew he was a hero before Mr. Zinn ever took that picture, but thanks to him, now so does the nation.

Sent by Dionne Knapp | 2:19 PM ET | 07-17-2008
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