One Man's Story-Kevin

Quick Overview

The interviewee, Kevin, recounts the traumatic experience of being beaten by police in Okinawa, Japan, after being snatched from a vehicle, leading to him being hospitalized and suffering a traumatic brain injury, which resulted in memory loss and severe nightmares that he has dealt with for years.

Key Points: Kevin was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and moved to Northern California around age eight. He joined the delayed entry program for the Air Force after high school but was later sent to Okinawa. While in Okinawa, he was involved in an incident where he was beaten by police after being snatched from a vehicle. The beating caused him to be hospitalized and resulted in a traumatic brain injury, leading to memory loss and persistent nightmares. He recalls the police officers involved were carrying what he called 'batons' or 'nightsticks' and were being aggressive. Kevin states that many veterans he knows who were also in Okinawa share similar traumatic experiences, although he was the only one of his group to be physically assaulted in that manner. He deeply regrets not spending quality time with his children during the years he spent struggling with drug addiction following his military service.

Context: This is an interview segment where Kevin, an interviewee for the 'Soft White Underbelly' project by Mark Laita, discusses a severe traumatic event that occurred while he was serving in the military, specifically during his time stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He recounts an assault by local police officers following an incident that involved him and his friends, leading to long-term physical and psychological consequences.

Detailed Analysis

Kevin describes his early life, having been born in Phoenix, Arizona, and moving to Northern California around age eight. After high school, he signed up for the delayed entry program for the Air Force and was stationed in Okinawa. He recounts a traumatic incident where he was pulled from a vehicle by Japanese police officers (JPs) who were harassing people. He resisted, grabbed one officer's gun, and was subsequently beaten unconscious and woke up in the base hospital with a traumatic brain injury, which he believes led to memory loss and severe nightmares, including choking sensations and the inability to sleep. He notes that he was not the only veteran to experience trauma there, but his experience involved physical assault. He also mentions that he started selling drugs, specifically cocaine and heroin, to cope and stay awake, which led to him losing his family and home. He states that the trauma system built around veterans and the prison system is designed to keep people trapped, and he regrets not being a better father due to his struggles. He concludes by stating that he believes some things, like war, are inevitable, and he regrets not spending quality time with his children while he was struggling.