195: One Veteran’s Journey to Heal the Wounds of War with Jack Gutman

by | Jun 7, 2023 | Podcast | 0 comments

Change It Up Radio with Paula Shaw - Episode 195: One Veteran's Journey to Heal the Wounds of War with Jack Gutman

Today, we’re talking about healing the painful wounds of war and the grief that Veterans experience.

Throughout this season of the show, we’ve been looking at grief from many different perspectives. Since we’ve just recently celebrated Memorial Day, and are now commemorating the 79th anniversary of D-Day, it seems like an inappropriate time to talk about the grief that veterans and military people experience.

In this episode, I am joined by my Dad, Jack Gutman, who is one of the last living World War ll Veterans who are healthy, lucid, and able to share with us the realities of D-Day, a colossal moment in our country’s history. Despite battling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for over six decades, Dad recounts his successful transition from the trauma and grief of war to a fulfilling career in show business. He shares how humor played a crucial role in his coping, transforming the adversities of his past into a career in comedy.

Jack also delves into his journey as an author, recounting the experiences and challenges of writing his memoir, “One Veteran’s Journey to Heal the Wounds of War.” His initial reluctance to discuss his battle with PTSD in the book was overridden by the realization of the potential impact his shared experience could have on its readers. This decision turned out to be transformational, and his book has not only resonated with many people but has also played a role in suicide prevention.

This inspiring and moving discussion focuses on overcoming personal struggles, the power of shared experiences, and the healing impact of reaching out to others in a time of need. Dad emphasizes the importance of seeking help for those struggling with PTSD and depression, explaining that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

  • Jack’s transition from being a World War II veteran to a successful career in show business
  • The use of humor as a coping mechanism for dealing with trauma and grief
  • Jack’s battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for 66 years
  • The epidemic of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide in veterans
  • The impact of Jack’s book on its readers, particularly individuals also struggling with PTSD
  •  The power of shared experiences and the healing impact of reaching out to others in a time of need

About Jack Gutman:

Jack Gutman Image - on Change It Up Radio with Paula Shaw - A Reunion... 75 Years in the Making! with Jerry Ackerman

Born in San Francisco in 1925, Jack Gutman grew up in a tough neighborhood of New York City where survival meant belonging to a gang. His gang was the Panthers.

At 17 ½ years old, wanting so desperately to serve his country, Jack convinced his father to sign for him, and he enlisted in the Navy.

After training for months as a Medical Corpsman, his first active-duty took him to England to prepare a hospital for the aftermath of the invasion of Europe.

On D-Day, he landed between Utah and Omaha Beaches in the invasion of Normandy, having the difficult task of caring for those killed and wounded during the attack.

After dealing with undiagnosed PTSD for 66 years, he finally got counseling from the VA and today leads a happy, healthy life.

Today, Jack is one of the last living World War ll Veterans who are healthy, lucid, and able to share with us the realities of D-Day.

He is also an active comedian, public speaker, and author who loves speaking to students and touching lives with his story. He wrote his book, One Veteran’s Journey to Heal the Wounds of War, to help people with Post-Traumatic Stress and other problems, such as sabotaging their lives by drinking to cope. 

Jack was video interviewed by the Smithsonian World War ll Museum in New Orleans, and this interview is now part of the museum’s archives. He has appeared on Martha MacCallum’s Fox News show, The Story, on Ben Shapiro, in countless video interviews, and of course, on his daughter, Paula’s, radio show and Podcast, Change It Up Radio.

Check out the video below to watch our interview:

Resources Mentioned:

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