"Shadow of the Sword"

This is a true account of Marine Sergeant Jeremiah Workman and his amazing heroism which earned him the coveted Navy Cross along with a lifetime of guilt for the ones he could not save.
In this chilling account of a real American Hero; Sgt. Workman illustrates all of the exhausting and relentless elements of combat in Iraq. Through the hail of gunfire of the Mujahideen, he describes his relentless effort to save the lives of his fellow Marines at the bloody battle of Fallujah.
In his compelling story, Workman vividly paints the images of overwhelming odds and the strain of inexorable combat. But there is the one battle that he carries with him, deep in the shadows of his mind. For the war does not stay in Iraq, it is with him back at home, he relives every chilling detail over and over again asking the question… “Why did I not Die?”

David Cotton (Sgt. Blogger)
sgtblogger.com


After over twenty three years of dealing with survivors of trauma from child abuse, domestic violence, crime and war as an investigator and as a therapist I find "Shadow of the Sword" by Jeremiah Workman an inspiring, insightful and revealing self study of the trauma of battle and ensuing Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) that can result. His description of the war environment is graphic and intense; his description of the consequences of PTSD for himself, family and those around him is courageously revealed. My own father had PTSD from World War Two, so for me it is also very close and personal.
I believe this book will be helpful to veterans, especially veterans, and other victims of trauma who so often delay getting help, entering treatment or even sharing with others there is a problem. Just as Workman has faced his own history and seeks to reconcile it, so must every trauma survivor. It starts with honesty, no more secrets. Every day of silence is just another day lost! Well Done to Mr. Workman for facing his demons and being brave enough to share and encourage others. For this work he deserves something far greater than his well earned Navy Cross, he deserves an award that can be given by no mortal person - for he will never fully know how many lives he will touch nor how many he will in fact save.

Don Van Natta, MSSW, LCSW


Workman’s description of the “Shadow of the Sword” was riveting at times and gave the reader a true sense of what it feels like to be confronted by the enemy. The author characterizes the war frame by frame. He allows the reader to feel the uncomfortable situations that led him through his remarkable journey including the loss and bereavement of three brave Marines Raleigh, James, and Eric in Fallujah. The author writes, “To think that fate can deal us an unwinnable hand is to admit a level of human frailty we’ve been programmed to reject.” The death of these brave Marines led Workman through a process of self-discovery. You feel his high and low points as he works through the emotions trying to heal from guilt, shame, and loss.
From a clinical aspect Jeremiah Workman redeems the loss of self and learns how to cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The author states, “I’m not afraid of myself anymore. I don’t break contact and look away, suffused in guilt.”
Based upon research, most providers recommend psychotherapy treatment in conjunction with medication for the treatment of PTSD. Moreover, evidenced-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Family Therapy help the individual to confront the fear that often times paralyzes individuals who suffer from PTSD. Some therapists recommend family therapy to be used in conjunction with other modalities as symptoms of PTSD not only disturb the victim but their entire family unit as stated by Jeremiah.
Working with Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans may be challenging to clinicians because you have to allow veterans time to confront their realities and to become engaged in treatment. The moving point begins when he confronted his fears. He states, I am Jeremiah Workman, Marine, father-to-be, and husband, a veteran of Fallujah. We went to Iraq nine hundred strong. We buried nineteen of our brothers and carried home two hundred and seventy Purple Hearts. PTSD has many dimensions and implications with veterans and their families. In the case of this “Kill Hat,” the support of his wife, mother, and in-laws was the ultimate benefit. Workman’s honesty and courage is to be commended.

S.B. Williams, MA