Florencio 'Larry' Aguayo, a 75-year-old Vietnam veteran, shares his story of service and the challenges of PTSD, hoping to encourage other veterans to seek help.
by CORY SMITH | The National News DeskFlorencio "Larry" Aguayo, 75, is a Vietnam veteran who has received help from Semper Fi & America's Fund . He’s sharing his story ahead of National Vietnam War Veterans Day so fellow veterans get the help they need.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day is this weekend, a time to honor the courage and sacrifice of a generation of Americans who answered the call to serve. Many of those young men were left scarred by the war, carrying wounds both visible and invisible for decades. But help is available, and one Vietnam veteran is sharing his story so that others can find the relief he has. Florencio "Larry" Aguayo, 75, served as an Army infantry soldier for around three years, including a roughly 10-month tour in Vietnam starting in the spring of 1968. Aguayo recalled daily patrols, search-and-destroy missions, and occasional helicopter insertions into suspected enemy areas. He recalled an ambush in September of ’68, during which four of his fellow soldiers were killed and four more wounded.“I was very proud to serve. I was very proud to serve,” Aguayo said.Aguayo recalled sitting on concrete benches, still wounded, at the Los Angeles airport, marveling at the fact he was home, when “hippies” passed by, spat on him and called him a “baby killer.” But Aguayo pushed through with life, going to work for General Motors for 30 years before moving to Lucerne Valley, California, where he lives now. All the while, Aguayo suffered from something he didn’t fully understand: post-traumatic stress disorder. “I used to have nightmares,” he said. “I used to walk the house in the dark, making sure that all the doors were locked.”Aguayo said he reached out to Veterans Affairs in the early 1990s for help with his PTSD but was initially dismissed. He recalled a moment around 10 years later when the suffering from PTSD had gotten so bad that he took his rifle to his garage and contemplated taking his own life.Around 20 years ago, Aguayo started getting therapy and joined a PTSD group that he still attends to this day.But not all of Aguayo’s needs were related to his PTSD. Aguayo said his patio was falling apart, his air conditioner compressor went out, and he needed a more secure door to his home. He didn’t have the money to fix the mounting issues at his home, so Semper Fi & America's Fund stepped in to help. As it’s done with 2,700 other Vietnam veterans, Semper Fi & America's Fund offered tailored, free help to make life easier for Aguayo. Aguayo said he’s “very, very grateful” for the home repairs and support he’s received from Semper Fi & America's Fund, a nonprofit that supports critically wounded, ill, and injured veterans, including providing assistance for those with PTSD.A Semper Fi & America's Fund spokesman said the group depends on donations to continue helping veterans like Aguayo.Aguayo then collected his emotions before continuing. “Life is short, man. Life is short, and you got to enjoy everything that you can get,” he said. “Life is so fantastic that it's – I'm glad that I didn't have to, I didn't pull the trigger on that day . And all I could say is, be strong. Be strong. We're all in the same boat.”to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online atSAN ANTONIO - This morning, closing arguments will be heard in the capital murder trial of Christopher Preciado. He is the man accused in the killing of a young couple and their unborn baby.PORT ARANSAS, Texas - A spring breaker, captured in a viral video twerking on top of a Jeep in Port Aransas, has died after he was later thrown from the vehicle in a crash.The crash happened about two weeks ago.MichaelSAN ANTONIO - A huge congratulations to the winner of the St. Jude Dream Home giveaway.Dan Perez of Poteet is the big winner of the home in Spring Branch.“At fNew state rules that eliminate natural smokeable hemp products and increase licensing fees will go into effect at the end of the month. Hemp industry leaders say these new regulations will eliminate a majority of their iCASTLE HILLS, Texas - 24-year-old Jazz Joseph Fernandez died following an officer-involved shooting early Wednesday morning after a hit-and-run along Loop 410 e
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