Gus Albritton's time in uniform came during the Vietnam War.
And now many at the Dublin VA have coined him the hospital's volunteer extraordinaire. Allbritton said that volunteering has helped him overcome his personal battle of post-traumatic stress disorder.
"Whether they're in their sixties like myself or whether or not they're in their twenties, war is war, and PTSD is PTSD," Allbritton said.
He was drafted into the Army right after high school and served in Vietnam. Those years left him with memories that still haunt him to this day.
"You will never be cured of PTSD, there's no way to get rid of it. But there's a way to try and live with some of it," Allbritton said.
Allbritton started his healing process being treated by several VA hospitals. Outside of the medical professionals that helped him, he found real support in his fellow veterans. He now passes down that support, and has enjoyed for the past 23 years volunteering at the VA hospital.
"The younger veterans coming in again, it's like looking in a rear-view mirror. I can see myself when I was their age and how confused I was. I mean, war is fresh in their mind, it was fresh in my mind back then," Allbritton said.
He doesn't view his volunteering as work. He views it as healing for everyone who's a part of the process.
It keeps me focused on the future, on the here and now where I won't be sitting at home thinking about all the bad things I've gone through. I'm interacting with people. I'm involved," Allbritton said.
The work may not always be a part of his day, but right now, Gus is thankful he can contribute, and he's thankful for what he gets back.
"I know one day I won't be able to do that, but right now, whatever I can do to help a veteran and to help this hospital complete its mission I don't mind doing," Allbritton said.
Being there for those who need him now, knowing they'll be there for him when he needs them.
