When he was 17-years-old, Geno Siliva and his best friend were walking around Fall River and decided to join the Marine Corps. However, on probation, Silvia was not able to immediately join. When his probation lifted, he attended boot camp at Parris Island, and in 1967 arrived at the Chu Lai Airbase. His first impression of Vietnam as a beautifully green, peaceful country was quickly shattered as he witnessed the carnage of war. His job as plane maintenance was disrupted by the Tet Offensive: "It was not what I expected at 19-years-old. I expected to do my job as an air winger." When Silvia returned home, he turned to the VA for help with his PTSD. However, after the VA denied his PTSD diagnosis, Silvia was prescribed Valium, which led him down a path of substance abuse in an attempt to numb his traumatic memories. Today, now decades sober, Sylvia helps veterans with PTSD in AA. "I keep my story as short as I can... I'm sorry to have witnessed it all."