What makes you feel proud? A Lebanese-American Veteran from World War II discusses his childhood, his experiences in World War II and as a firefighter, and his adult life with his wife and children. Afterwards the hosts discuss the role of race, identity, and resilience in responding to trauma.

This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion.

Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss.

Hannah Bashian is a counseling psychologist who works with older Veterans with medical and mental health concerns. Her research interests include the impact of ageist attitudes across the lifespan and ways to combat ageism. She is currently working on adapting an approach to thinking about trauma in late life for older Veterans with health problems.

Resources and Further Reading for this episode:

• VHA Office of Rural Health
• Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version
• The My Life My Story Podcast
• National Center for PTSD
• VA Mental Health
• Article about Veterans and PTSD in Firefighters
• Article about PTSD Prevalence in firefighters
• Article about Veterans doing second service as firefighters
• Article about how the Military is a Good First Step to Becoming a Firefighter
• Article about 5 Reasons Why Veterans Are Suited to Be Firefighters
• Podcast on how technology can support people with PTSD

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