When Steven Porter returned from Iraq, the jumpiness from seeing piles of trash road seemed as though it would never cease.
GLASSBORO -- For Steven Porter, piles of trash on the road still gave him anxiety after he returned home from fighting in Iraq. And for a while, it seemed as though it would never leave him.
Steven B. Porter Jr., 35, of Glassboro -- a U.S. Army veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, speaking to students at Ambassador Christian Academy in Glassboro on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 about his experience in the military in commemoration of this coming Veterans Day. (Spencer Kent | For NJ.com)Even while driving on the highway near his home of Mullica Hill -- thousands of miles removed from the war -- the trash would cause anxiety. He would rigorously examine any piles he'd see while driving and wouldn't relax until safely passed.
"I'd be driving on 295 and just watching the road," Porter said, "looking for trash -- because IEDs were hidden in trash."
Porter -- a 35-year-old U.S. Army veteran -- had never discussed his time fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom more than a decade ago. He served two tours between 2002 and 2004. And since returning he had never really talked about his experience with any other fellow veteran.
But that all changed on Friday when for the first time Porter gathered with a group of five other veterans and just talked.
PLUS: Annual Veterans Day program to be held at RVCC
It was after an event Friday morning at Ambassador Christian Academy, in Glassboro, in commemoration of Veterans Day next week. Porter and five veterans -- all of different generations and wars -- spoke to young students about their experiences in the military. The veterans also had artifacts and items they had with them during their service for the students to view.
Students from Ambassador Christian Academy in Glassboro on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 listened to veterans talked about their experiences during their time in the military on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. The event was in commemoration of this coming Veterans Day. (Spencer Kent | For NJ.com)In a back room at the school, the six veterans sat down in a circle of chairs. Sitting next to Porter was 67-year-old Vietnam War veteran Dominic DeGrado, of Bellmawr, who came to the event dressed in full uniform to show the children what authentic military garment looked like.
DeGrado, who has severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and uses a service dog to help him cope throughout the day, talked about the importance of getting support. He and the rest of the group said unless you've "been there," you can't understand what a veteran has gone through or continues to go through.
"I (recently) had a nightmare," he said to the students during the event, "so bad that I woke up in a ball of sweat and my dog jumped up on the bed and pawed and licked my face. She takes me out of it."
His dog has saved him from emotional terror and rage many times in is life.
For Veterans Day next week, some in the group said they had plans at events honoring U.S service men and women.
But several didn't express an overt excitement about next week's occasion.
Mainly because it's lost its essence and meaning for them.
Frank Devone, 68, of Washington Township, who is also a Vietnam War veteran, said that the patriotism has been lost.
Brian Richards, of Pennsville, a U.S. Navy veteran agreed. He said the only real solace veterans get is from each other. He became choked up at one point during the discussion.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
