A heartfelt interview with Arthur Frederick Snow about his son U.S. Army SGT. Andrew Snow's military service, struggles with PTSD, and the healing journey through innovative treatments and community support.

Our speaker shares a poignant veteran story, reflecting on the profound impact of military deployment to war and the changes observed in a loved one after serving. This account highlights the long-lasting effects of events like September 11 on service members and their families. It underscores the critical importance of addressing veteran mental health.

Andrew survived Ramadi. He came home a different man. And his father watched it all — the PTSD, the TBI, the moral injury, the years of fighting a war no one could see.

This is Arthur Snow's story. A Gold Star father. A witness. And a voice for every family that never got the answers they deserved.

In this episode of Vets and Badges, host Robert Asencio — retired Police Captain and Army veteran — sits down with Arthur Frederick Snow, whose son Andrew served in Ramadi, Iraq, and came home carrying wounds that couldn't be seen on any X-ray. Arthur shares the brutal reality of loving a combat veteran through PTSD, traumatic brain injury, moral injury, and addiction — and what it means to lose a son not on the battlefield, but to the war that followed him home.

This conversation is about more than grief. It's about the veteran mental health crisis hiding in plain sight, the failure of systems meant to protect our warriors, and the courage it takes for a family to speak the truth — even when it hurts.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Andrew Snow's Military Service

01:53 - Challenges of Returning Home and Mental Injuries

03:46 - The Struggles with PTSD and Suicide Attempts

06:11 - Innovative Treatments: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

07:01 - Andre's Faith and Healing Trips to Israel

08:00 - Honoring Andrew at Arlington and Community Support

08:53 - Reflections on Service, Sacrifice, and Healing

Resources for Veterans & Families:

🆘 Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1

🔗 The 22 Project: https://support22project.org/

🎖️ Vets and Badges — Real Stories. Real Heroes. Real Science.

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Vets and Badges Podcast is an initiative of HEALING - a non-profit created to support veterans, first responder and community stakeholders.

For more visit:

https://www.kbcf.org/programs/healing-corp/

VAB - 2026

⚠️ This episode discusses war, combat PTSD and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 — the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone.

Anwar Aalam shares a personal account of a difficult period, including a DUI and a cliff incident, which he interprets as subconscious self harm. He discusses feeling suicidal and how this period impacted his mother, highlighting the deep connection between personal struggles and family. This raw reflection offers insight into the complex psychology of coping with mental health challenges.

Chapters:

00:00 - From War to Peace: Anwar Aalam's Journey

06:01- Facing the Aftermath: Transitioning from Combat to Civilian Life

11:57 -Healing and Hope: Overcoming PTSD and Finding Purpose

The story of a healing journey:

He survived two combat deployments — Afghanistan and Iraq. He fought in the "2nd Battle of Ramadi" with the U.S. Army's legendary 37th Armored (tank) Regiment (AR) -The Bandits' Thunder Platoon. But the war that almost killed him started after he came home.

Anwar Aalam returned from battle carrying wounds no one could see — panic attacks that left him gasping, nights with no sleep, reckless choices he couldn't explain. He didn't call it PTSD. He didn't know what to call it. He just knew something was wrong — and that he was running out of time to fix it.

In this episode, Anwar sits down with Robert Asencio to tell the story he almost didn't survive — and the faith, therapy, and brotherhood that brought him back.

What you will hear:

-How Anwar went from Marine recruit to 101st Airborne and 1-37th AR combat veteran

-What PTSD actually felt like — before he had a name for it/p>

-The moment he realized he was subconsciously trying to end his life

-How one Air Force friend changed the trajectory of his recovery

-Why he stopped letting medication be a crutch — and what he did instead

-The role of faith, accountability, and therapy in rebuilding after war

-His message to every veteran still fighting invisible battles

"Every adversity has a seed equal to or greater benefit — if you look for it."

— Ammar Alam, U.S. Army Combat Veteran

About Anwar Aalam:

Anwar is a combat veteran who served with the 101st Airborne Division and 37th AR, deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq before joining Thunder Platoon in Germany for a 15-month tour in Ramadi during the "2nd Battle of Ramadi." After being med boarded from service, he fought his hardest battle at home — and won. Today, his mission is to be a blessing to others walking that same road.

🎙️ Vets And Badges is hosted by Robert Asencio — retired Police Captain, Army veteran, and former Florida State Representative.

Real Stories. Real Heroes. Real Science.

🔗 Resources:

📞 Veterans Crisis Line: Call or text 988, then press 1

💻 veteranscrisisline.net

📲 Follow @VetsAndBadges:

🌐 Spotify

📘 Facebook

📸 Instagram

🎙️https://CommunityNewspapers.com

🎙️https://www.VetsAndBadges.com

Vets and Badges Podcast is an initiative of HEALING - a non-profit created to support veterans, first responder and community stakeholders.

For more visit:

https://www.kbcf.org/programs/healing-corp/

VAB - 2026

On Vets And Badges, Judge Steve Liefman is leading the fight to fix America's broken mental health court system -and he's calling on YOU to help. Contact your elected leaders today!

Judge Leifman shares his 30-year journey transforming mental health and criminal justice systems. Discover how innovative programs, legal insights, and community efforts are reducing recidivism, saving costs, and improving lives.

Chapters:

00:00 - Judge Leifman's Journey into Mental Health and Justice

02:26 - The State of Mental Health Treatment in the US in the 20th Century

04:18 - Inhumane Conditions in State Hospitals and Deinstitutionalization

06:15 - The Irony of Deinstitutionalization and Its Consequences

08:41 - Legal Challenges and the Florida Supreme Court Ruling

10:09 - The Case of the Psychotic Man and System Failures

15:02 - Miami's Community Mental Health Summit and System Mapping

16:50 - Creating a New Approach: Pre- and Post-Arrest Diversion

18:12 - Results of the Miami Model: Cost Savings and Reduced Arrests

19:11 - Addressing Police PTSD and Improving Public Safety

20:55 - The Need for Specialized Facilities for Acute Mental Illness

22:22 - Identifying the Highest-Need Individuals and Costly Cycles

24:03 - Building a Comprehensive Facility for Recovery and Reintegration

25:56 - Economic Impact: Cost Savings and Medicaid Opportunities

27:38 - Challenges and Future Steps for Miami's Mental Health Initiative

29:21 - Future of Miami as a Model for Mental Health and Justice Reform

Vets And Badges Host:

Robert Asencio is a retired police Captain, former Florida State Representative, US Army Veteran who served as a member of the Special Operations community with over 34 years of public service experience.

Vets and Badges Podcast is an initiative of HEALING - a non-profit created to support veterans, first responder and community stakeholders.

For more visit:

https://www.kbcf.org/programs/healing-corp/

Info@VetsAndBadges.com

www.VetsAndBadges.com

VAB - 2026