When Dennis Boldt was interviewed last summer, Blue Earth County’s 2023 Outstanding Veteran didn’t mention he fought on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. He is not one to give detailed descriptions of horrific war experiences.
Keeping battle experiences to oneself is “somewhat common” for people who’ve survived heavy combat, said Nicollet County Veterans Service Officer Nathan Tish.
“I think they don’t want to say things about experiences others may have never had…they may think others would not look at them in the same (positive) way.
“And I suspect, some war veterans may not like the way they feel when they reminisce (about the war),” Tish said.
Like many other soldiers who saw action, Boldt adjusted fairly well to a return to civilian life. He married, had children and worked as a locksmith. He recently returned from a trip to Normandy for commemoration activities marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied Forces invasion of Nazi-occupied France.
During his stay in Europe, Boldt spoke of his war experiences with several people, including active servicemen.
Loren Files, of North Mankato, knows of military veterans who find it tough to be back in the states and almost impossible to talk about what happened to them during the war.
“Maybe they think others in the community — who aren’t veterans — will find it difficult to understand what soldiers have seen and what they had to do,” said Files.
“Then there’s the warrior mentality soldiers develop. They think if you talk about what’s bothering you, that’s a sign of weakness.”
Veterans with PTSD or other trauma-related conditions may see killing themselves as an option for making life easier for their families, Files said.
“They begin to think, ‘I am the problem,’” he said.
Files is an organizer of a fundraiser for a program that strives to prevent suicides by veterans. The Fourth Annual 2 Wheels 2 Heal motorcycle run is slated to begin Saturday morning in lower North Mankato.
Tish said he and other VSOs will work with veterans to help them find appropriate mental health services so they can cope with daily life.
ASC Psychological Services’ Mankato and Roseville offices have programs specifically designed to help military veterans haunted by their combat experiences. Staff includes at least one veteran who’s seen combat.
“We offer individual counseling and veterans support groups; as well as assistance with evaluations for VA services,” said Amy Nelson, ASC office manager.
Nelson said veterans may make appointments in person, by phone or online.
The Mankato office recently relocated to the second floor of Mankato Place.
To contact ASC directly, veterans may call 345-4679 or 345-1194.