Greatness but at a cost

I called my Grandfather the other day and to my suprise he had much more to say than usual. It is very apparent that he has plenty of time on his hands to think about things and to try and make sense of his life, his time in the war (WWII) and Grandma. He brought up some things and referenced the war so I asked him a question regarding it. I asked him if he knew how many GI's that he bandaged up went on to survive? Although he could not begin to recall a possible number the question sparked quite possibly the longest conversation I have ever had with him. My Grandpa was a front line medic attached to the 28th Infantry Division known as the Bloody Bucket. He told me many stories of his time in the war during our conversation and although there were brief pauses where he would break out into tears, it seemed as if he needed to get his story out. It was clear to me that even after 64 years he still has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I have never asked him much regarding the war because he was never willing to talk about it like most combat veterans. I am most likely the only family member that has ever heard so much of his time in the war and I do consider myself lucky. He told me about good times and bad including some very ugly details which I could not believe he was talking about. He spoke of getting Spinal Meningitis in the traing phase after boot camp, specific battles during the war and cronicling the events leading to his injuries for which he earned 3 bronze stars, 2 purple hearts and was put in for a silver star for his part in the taking of a bunker. It was clear to me that my Grandfather was destined for greatness and he did many great things during the war but I am saddened by the PTSD he still suffers today and can only hope that letting him talk about it helps him shed the past and find peace from the horrors that haunt him.