The speaker, who has been closely associated with Sergeant Louis Loftus, shares her personal experiences and observations of his struggles with PTSD and depression following his return from Afghanistan. The narrative begins with the speaker's initial encounter with Loftus in 2010, and her subsequent observation of his transformation from a war hero to a man grappling with his emotions.
Loftus's struggles intensified after his return home, with the speaker noticing significant changes in his behavior and mood within a few months. He began to display erratic behavior, sleeping excessively, and often found himself in a bad mood or unsettled state. The situation escalated to the point where Loftus became physically aggressive towards his family, culminating in a choking incident that left the speaker fearing for her life.
Despite these challenges, the speaker maintains a hopeful outlook, expressing her appreciation for the positive moments she shared with Loftus before his condition worsened. She also acknowledges the impact of his struggles on their children, and the difficult task of explaining his death to them.
The speaker concludes by expressing her guilt and frustration over the lack of support and resources available for veterans returning from war, emphasizing the need for better support systems to help them transition back into civilian life.
1. The speaker has been traveling in and out of Afghanistan for much of the last 20 years, starting in 2010.
2. They met Sergeant Louis Loftus, who they followed closely, observing his struggle with PTSD after returning from war.
3. Loftus' family faced deep scars and deadly consequences from the war, even after American troops left Afghanistan.
4. When Loftus returned home, he was excited to start a new chapter of life.
5. However, his mental health deteriorated over time, with noticeable changes appearing around three months after his return.
6. Loftus' behavior became increasingly erratic, with him often sleeping all day and waking up in a bad mood.
7. The speaker noticed a significant change in Loftus' behavior three months after his return, particularly his lack of plans about his future and his increasingly poor mood.
8. Loftus' behavior became so erratic that he would throw objects around the house and even choke the speaker during arguments.
9. The speaker had the restraining order lifted so Loftus could see Mason being born, hoping for a new beginning.
10. However, Loftus' behavior escalated, with more physical altercations occurring, including one where he choked the speaker.
11. The speaker discovered a syringe with a needle cap in the laundry, indicating that Loftus was using heroin to self-medicate for his PTSD.
12. Loftus died from an overdose, and he was found face down in his bed.
13. When the children were informed about their father's death, they were devastated. Mason, in particular, was deeply affected and pleaded for their father to get another heart.
14. The speaker feels extreme guilt about the lack of support provided to returning soldiers, stating that many are left to fend for themselves after returning from war.
15. The video ends with the speaker expressing love for Loftus as they part ways, with the speaker planning to see him again in a few months.