ODESSA, Texas – As the fifth annual VFW 6717 car show approaches, post commander Harold Sherman is using the event to honor fellow veterans and raise awareness about the challenges they face after service.
Sherman, a 20‑year, eight‑month, seven‑day Army veteran, grew up hearing stories from his uncle, also a veteran. Inspired, he enlisted at age 21 and began his career as a combat engineer at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he learned to build and demolish bridges. “Building bridges, making bridges and then blowing them up to get the full effect of combat engineering,” he recalled.
His service later shifted to field artillery and mechanized infantry, and he deployed to Iraq multiple times. Among his most vivid memories is a boat mission on the Tigris River, where he described the feeling of being exposed with no protection as “the worst feeling of them all.” He also recounted a harrowing incident when a mortar round landed near soldiers having lunch. “I dug up the mortar round, took the fends off of it and everybody said, ‘Sherman, you’re crazy,’” he said.
In Kuwait, Sherman was tasked with protecting a convoy of 42 soldiers traveling by bus. He was the only sergeant on the bus with a loaded weapon, responsible for watching for threats along the road. One of his most meaningful moments came in Tikrit, where he stood atop a ziggurat and felt a spiritual connection, saying, “That was really a good feeling in my soul that I actually walked the land that Moses walked on, and it was terrific.”
After returning home, Sherman struggled to accept that he was dealing with post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He admitted that he initially told himself nothing was wrong, even as friends and family noticed changes in his behavior. “The more time went on, the worse it was getting. I’d find myself yelling at people for no reason,” he said.
With the support of his family, fellow veterans, and local resources, Sherman began treatment and now works to help other veterans find the assistance they need. He has served as post commander at VFW 6717 for the past eight years. “I feel a whole lot better sometimes. Sometimes I have flashbacks, but I have to listen to smooth jazz. I feel like that calms my nerves,” he explained.
Veterans Day Celebration and Car Show
For Sherman, Veterans Day is more than a holiday; it is a time to remember those who served. “It’s just heartbreaking to not be able to shake hands with some of the people that were there before us or before me,” he said.
The upcoming car show, scheduled for Saturday at the VFW 6717 post on Odessa’s south side, will feature prizes, live music, candy, and games for children. Sherman hopes the community will attend to support veterans and enjoy a family‑friendly event.
“We want to bring the community together, honor our veterans, and raise awareness about the ongoing needs of those who have served,” Sherman said. He encourages anyone interested in volunteering or learning more about veteran resources to contact VFW 6717.
Original reporting: CBS7 / First Alert 7 KOSA (Gray) — read the source article.
