2RHPZ
04-29-2005, 12:34 PM
Former POWs face traumatic memories
By Henry Cuningham
When John L. Mims was a prisoner of war, Japanese soldiers made him lie down and lowered a bulldozer blade until his legs cracked.
''They backed off and they laughed, laughed like they were maniacs,'' he said.
At 84, Mims, who lives in Aberdeen, is still tormented mentally and physically by what happened to him as a POW for three years during World War II.
''I'm a lunatic,'' Mims said. ''Sometimes the pain's so bad I holler or scream."
On April 15, Mims was among guests at a luncheon to recognize former prisoners of war at the Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In addition to physical pain, some have memories of years at the mercy of cruel captors, uncertain of what would happen from one moment to the next.
...more... (http://www.fortbraggnc.com/story.php?Template=local&Story=6972141)
By Henry Cuningham
When John L. Mims was a prisoner of war, Japanese soldiers made him lie down and lowered a bulldozer blade until his legs cracked.
''They backed off and they laughed, laughed like they were maniacs,'' he said.
At 84, Mims, who lives in Aberdeen, is still tormented mentally and physically by what happened to him as a POW for three years during World War II.
''I'm a lunatic,'' Mims said. ''Sometimes the pain's so bad I holler or scream."
On April 15, Mims was among guests at a luncheon to recognize former prisoners of war at the Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In addition to physical pain, some have memories of years at the mercy of cruel captors, uncertain of what would happen from one moment to the next.
...more... (http://www.fortbraggnc.com/story.php?Template=local&Story=6972141)