Iraq war veteran Eduardo Leon joins us today to talk about his early life growing up poor and in a traditional Mexican family, multiple deployments, getting IED, his post military struggles with depression, anxiety and substance abuse and how he pulled himself out from the darkness.
0:00 – Beginning / Introduction
6:42 – Eduardo Leon – Air Force Veteran
9:04 – Born in Hayward CA and early life.
12:00 -Now living in Salinas
23:00 -Wanted to be a Cop and SWAT
30:00 -Joined the Airforce & shipping out
40:00 -Air Force Security Forces Academy
49:00 -Back home from training – August 2001 a month before attacks on Sept 11, 2001
50:00 -1st Reserve Drill weekend. Unit activated 2 days later.
1:01:00 – Dec 2002 – 1st Deployment to Kuwait
1:18:00 – Back home but volunteers for deployment to Kyrgyzstan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
1:26:00 – Finally Deploying to Iraq to Camp Victory…..Route Irish, Abu Grave, Green Zone & more
1:44:00 – Surviving an IED Blast as a Turret Gunner.
2:06:00 – Coming Home from Iraq – Last one from Unit/Detachment to leave
2:08:00 – Starting to feel my mental cup getting full while working back in the civilian world.
2:12:00 – Life is quickly unraveling.
2:17:00 – 1st used Meth to mask depression and problems.
2:25:00 – Negative consequences begin. Losing job, getting evicted and being separated from family.
2:31:00 – Out of desperation he finally goes to Beacon House for help.
2:51:00 - Closing Remarks & Gratitude
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