Well, hello, my friends, and welcome to the Live Inspired podcast Monday Morning Moments with

John O'Leary. We're going to begin this one with a quote from a name you may

not recognize now, but by the end of the article, not only will you recognize the name,

you'll love the person. So this quote is from Bill Goodrow. When you've been blessed to know

where the water is in the desert, you can't help, but to guide others to it.

What do we do with the memories that sear, my friends? How do we cope with losses from our past,

and how do we heal from the scars that we still bear? After returning from war, Bill Goodrow

wrestled with these questions and discovering an

answer to them, he ultimately discovered not only a good life for himself, the one that could be

used for good to elevate others. Let me explain more. Bill Goodrow did not want to sign up or fight

in Vietnam. Still, at age 19, the self-described

hippie found himself boarding his first ever airplane, taking off from his hometown

to basic training as a United States Army draftee. His second flight would take him to a raging war in Vietnam. While there, Bill fought

for the guys next to him. He lost many of the dear friends he made along the way in the battles,

and struggled mightily through the entire experience. Once his deployment was over, Bill returned home to a country where many did not welcome him

back.

A drift in his community and uncertain where to turn for support, he wrestled with bitterness

over the draft and the subsequent life-changing experiences in Vietnam.

Eventually, though, he found the antidote to his pain in a group

of World War II veterans. These men offered a safe space for Bill to share his experiences and to

express his feelings. They understood, and they acknowledged the sacrifices, and they supported him

in his return to civilian life.

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