WEBVTT

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(dramatic swishing)

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- [Narrator] Bruce Empol
joined the Navy at 17,

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and was assigned to the USS Fechteler.

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Soon after checking on
board, the destroyer was sent

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to conduct operations
off the coast of Vietnam.

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With a close view of the
action, Bruce saw things

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most young men never have to see.

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That's when the nightmares began.

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- My wife, at that time, we
didn't know what PTSD was.

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I just had the attitude
that I would rip somebody's

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head off if they got in my way.

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- [Narrator] After a violent outburst,

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Bruce knew it was time to face
his problems, and seek help.

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Bruce's doctors recommended
he find an outlet

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to help him cope with his PTSD.

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That's when he decided to pick up

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an old hobby from before the war.

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- Got involved with the
wood, and it took some of

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the pressure away, of everyday living.

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I would have something exciting to build.

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- [Narrator] As for his toys,
Bruce found a way to use

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his newfound passion to
give back to other veterans

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and active duty service
members and their families.

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- I will take some of my
toys, and I'll go down to

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the VA hospital, and I'll
see a sailor, or anybody,

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and I'll just say here,
have one, it's all yours.

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The fulfillment is seeing a
child have one of my toys.

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- [Narrator] When asked what advice he had

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for other veterans struggling
with PTSD, he was blunt.

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- Can't do it yourself.

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There are doctors at the
VA, they're very good.

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The more you talk, the better it is.

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Do not hold it in, 'cause the only one

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you're gonna destroy is yourself.

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(light piano music)