Urbanna man’s PTSD from Vietnam War is focus of documentary

Something Different crowd previews ‘trailer’

Urbanna author Bob Means’ real life story of his horrid days in the Vietnam War and his struggle to cope with years of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be the topic of a documentary focusing attention on the national struggle of veterans dealing with PTSD and a high percentage of veteran suicides.

Means’ 332-page book, “My Soul to Keep: A Marine Journal After Combat,” was published in 2022 by Stampers Bay Publishing. The book speaks to Means’ activity in the Vietnam War; his return home from the war; and his nervous breakdown after the war. Healing comes when he gives himself to disaster relief to Vietnam in the 1980s and 90s.

Richmond Emmy-winning production company Belltower Pictures and filmmaker Craig Martin presented a “trailer” of the documentary currently being filmed, to about 80 people at Something Different restaurant in Urbanna on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

The book is being made into a full-length documentary, entitled “Bob Doing Bob Thing.” The goal of the film will be a beacon of hope for those veterans who have PTSD contemplating suicide, said Kimberly Jennings of Belltower Pictures. Twenty-two veterans commit suicide a day.