From Battlefield to Blank Page: A Writer's Journey [2025]

Writing has always been my sanctuary, though life often pushed this passion aside. At seventeen, I enlisted in the Marines, serving in Vietnam before receiving an honorable discharge as a sergeant. After various jobs, including bank branch manager, I joined IBM as a collection administrator-a role that evolved into a thirty-year career in executive marketing, sales and world travel.

Yet, after a few decades the Gulf Wars' news coverage triggered long-denied PTSD, leading to early retirement and post-war therapy. Through this challenge, I returned to writing for therapy, creating "A Scarred Life..." which was featured on PsychologyToday.com by Nobel Prize-winning journalist Eric Newhouse. This piece, along with its companion "Not Alone," appeared in notable collections supporting veterans' mental health.

A three-year research journey led to "Looking for God within the Kingdom of Religious Confusion," followed by works like "The Greatest Father" and "Stolen Girls...." These stories, compiled in "anthologyPERCEPTION," reflect my life's chapters and universal questions.

In 2025 I wrote a poem "Twilight Dreams" my reflection as a much older man. I also penned "Jump start your career as a new manager" sharing personal thoughts for young managers. Most importantly to me I wrote "A long overdue apology" an apology to those I left behind because of PTSD.

I live in Florida with my wife of 50+ years. We celebrate life with our 3 sons, their wives, and nine grandchildren. Through combat, corporate life, and personal challenges, every experience has shaped my stories-to help others navigate their own journey.

https://www.amazon.com/author/awschade
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  • JoinedJune 5, 2022




Stories by AW Schade
"A Scarred Life:  War, PTSD, and the Long Road Home" by schadeaws
"A Scarred Life: War, PTSD, and t...
A Marine's life shattered by war: "A Scarred Life" unveils the harrowing journey through boot camp'...
ranking #44 in personaljourney See all rankings
Not Alone by schadeaws
Not Alone
A Marine veteran attends group therapy at the VA, initially hesitant but eventually opens up about his experi...
ranking #5 in veterans See all rankings
Stolen Girls: A Veterans Promise by schadeaws
Stolen Girls: A Veterans Promise
They're gone. Had Jacob made the right choice? Those stolen schoolgirls ignited a fuse the old Marine hadn't...
ranking #8 in childtrafficking See all rankings
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