Lost and Found: Postwar vet makes his way home

By Xhevrije West

Army veteran Derrick Mallard lost himself – along with his peace of mind – after traumatic experiences from battle.

Cpl. Mallard served five years active duty in Afghanistan in the Military Police Corps branch. He got out of the service in 2012 and is a newly inducted veteran. He is currently 80 percent PTSD and uses the program, Clear Path for Veterans, to restructure his life.

“Things I did in the war made me who I am today, the violent outbreaks brought me here,” he said.

Mallard describes his experiences. He struggled with a drinking habit postwar that was difficult to get under control. He also had trouble controlling his temper; he would actually lose himself and forget his surroundings. There were three incidents where he would have mental outbursts causing him to act out in public or at home. Loud noises or anything that could take his mind right back to the war would immediately cause him to cringe.

“I drank heavily, very heavily. I could never let myself fall that far, my children and family couldn’t see me like that,” he said.

Clear Path for Veterans is located in Chittenango, N.Y. Melissa Spicer, who dedicates a great deal of her time to the veterans, runs the program. Weekly events and sessions provide the veterans with massage therapy, counseling and lunches. Mallard currently attends Clear Path every Saturday and sometimes brings his wife and four children with him.

“Melissa Spicer is amazing,” Mallard said. “She really puts forth the effort to help us out.”

Mallard is still working through his postwar issues diligently in order to create a better life for himself, his family and others.

“I have no regrets in life, everything happened to me for a reason,” he said.