In 1965, Joe Campbell graduated from the Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, Illinois to begin his career in the military. He enlisted in the U.S. Army that December and served four years, including two tours in Germany with the 8th Infantry Division as well as a tour in Vietnam. Throughout his military career, Joe specialized in Artillery and Automotive Maintenance with the 1st Logistical Command as well as served on the Maintenance Contact Team with the 25th Infantry Division in Cu Chi, the 101st Airborne Division in Phouc Vinh, and the 1st Infantry Division in Dian.

Following his military career, Joe has devoted himself to helping other veterans through organizations and outreach programs, including as a volunteer at the Milwaukee VA, a Trustee of the Milwaukee County War Memorial Corporation, and as the co-founder, board member, and chairman of several veteran-focused organizations throughout Wisconsin. Since 2004, Joe has received numerous awards and recognition for his services and devotion to the military veteran community, including the 2004 Vietnam Veteran of the Year Award by the Vietnam Veterans of America, the 2007 Veteran of the Year Award by Milwaukee County, and the 2018 Patriot Award by the War Memorial Center.

Joe joins us again today to discuss his involvement in the vehicle caravan that transported a remnant piece of steel from the former World Trade Center in New York to Milwaukee. He shares how communities came together and the outpouring of support they received to transport this precious cargo and how this experience served as a spiritual awakening for Joe. He explains how he met Kim Phuc Phan Thi, a Vietnamese woman who was badly burned from a napalm bomb during the Vietnam War and author of Fire Road, and how meeting Kim helped Joe heal from the emotional trauma he experienced during the war. He also explains how forgiveness and service through gratitude have helped him through the darkness and into the light of hope and recovery.

“The more we get out of ourselves - the more we get out of our self.” - Joe Campbell

This week on the Stigma Free Vet Zone Podcast:

Joe’s involvement in the transportation of a remnant piece of steel from the World Trade Center to MilwaukeeThe spiritual awakening Joe experienced while transporting steel from the World Trade Center to MilwaukeeHow Joe met Kim Phuc Phan Thi, author of Fire Road and how it impacted his healing processWhat drives Joe to continue helping military veterans through outreach programs and supportJoe’s challenges with battling depression, PTSD, and alcoholismThe power of forgiveness and gratitude

Resources Mentioned:

Fire Road: The Napalm Girl’s Journey through the Horror of War to Faith, Forgiveness, and Peace by Kim Phuc Phan ThiJoe Campbell on Finding Acceptance After the Vietnam War

Helping Veterans & Their Families Transition to Civilian Life

Thanks for tuning into this segment of the Stigma Free Vet Zone podcast, the show dedicated to helping veterans and their families make the transition from the military to civilian life and culture. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe to the show and leave a review. For more stories, insight, and resources on coping with military-related trauma and PTSD, visit our website and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.