A Difficult Transition
This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.
We were in Jo Nancy, Kentucky last spring when the Marlboro Man came home. Remember the Marlboro Man? His picture, it seemed, was in every paper in the country. The photo — a Marine, weary from the war, fighting in Fallujah, cigarette dangling from his lips.
Blake Miller talked to us back then in cautious tones about being home, about the strangeness of being away from the battle zone. Anyone who's been to war will tell you the transition isn't always easy. And for Blake Miller it's harder still.
While on hurricane clean up duty, Blake jumped a fellow Marine whose whistle sounded like a rocket propelled grenade. Blake was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and was honorably discharged.
I spoke with Blake on the Early Show this week. Part of the reason he shared his story was so that others like him would seek help.
"It's hard to talk about it," he said, "but sometimes just talking about it helps me sleep at night."
Harry's daily commentary can be heard on manyCBS Radio News affiliates across the country.
By Harry Smith