The stress of war can often haunt a soldier beyond the time of military service.
That’s what happened, and is still happening, to Corwin “Cory” Castor, 25, of Anderson.
Born in Anderson, he was raised in Kentucky but moved back for his junior year at Highland High School. He dropped out, got a GED and enlisted in the military, where he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky. He served 13 months in Iraq and returned Sept. 14, 2006.
Since then, he’s been a home health aide for the elderly and disabled in Anderson. Hoping to land a career in security work, Castor is taking criminal justice courses at Harrison College’s campus in Anderson.
This fall, he wrote a composition class essay about his most emotional moment in life. His instructor, Julia Williams, thought the essay was compelling, noting, “He has been an amazing student here at Harrison College.”
Here is his essay.
My Time in Iraq
By Cory Castor
I believe one of my most emotional times would have to be while I was in Iraq.
The reason I believe this is because I saw and did a lot of things no one should ever have to go through. For example, I had my truck blown up five times while we were driving down the highway. I have scars from where shrapnel went into my left leg.
I also lost my best friend while I was over there. His name was Nathaniel. He and I were outside smoking and he was shot by a sniper. The bullet went in his collarbone and bounced off the back of his vest and ricocheted around the inside. I was also shot in the chest but luckily my vest stopped the bullet from going all the way through.
About three months later I shot a thirteen year-old child who had a grenade and was walking toward my platoon sergeant, lieutenant, section sergeants, and our interpreter.
After that I broke down, threw my weapon on the ground and cried. That night I was up at 3 a.m. when my sergeant came in and told me I needed to go to sleep because we have a mission at five. I told him “I’m not going.”
I was too distraught about what I had just done. My sergeant and I began to argue about it, so he tried to make me tired by making me carry sandbags up and down the pad which was about a quarter-mile long. After three times I dropped the sandbags and told him, “If you want them moved you do it.”
Well, my sergeant took me down to my first sergeant’s office and I had to talk with him. I was then taken to a mental hospital to get evaluated, and they diagnosed me as being bipolar. After that I became an outcast. Only one person in my company would talk to me the rest of the tour in Iraq. After we got back home I was medically discharged.
Since then I still have nightmares about the kid and I now hate fireworks if I can’t see them being lit. But I am slowly getting through it.
Local News
Veteran recalls stress in Iraq
- Local News
-
-
Anderson man dies at Monroe Reservoir; 3 others arrested
Memorial Day weekend took a tragic turn Saturday evening as an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir died. Three other Anderson men were arrested later that day following the death of Matthew Hosier, 29.
-
Getting Together: Silence not golden for this library program
Certain rules govern almost all libraries: be quiet, don’t mar the pages and absolutely no food or drinks on the premises. But a small group of patrons wait until after hours, lock themselves in the back room of the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, eat popcorn, drink soda and loudly scoff as they watch bad movies.
-
Veteran receiving Bronze Star 68 years late
An Army veteran will be awarded a Bronze Star on Memorial Day — 68 years after he was originally supposed to receive it.
-
Memorial Day activities set
For Memorial Day weekend, here’s a list of activities to participate in.
-
Arrest Log: May 28
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- Conservation officers arrest Anderson boater on alcohol charge
-
What's Where: May 28
Local activities are scheduled Monday.
-
Handicapped murder convict alleges prison discrimination
Since October 2006, Donald Lock has been confined to a wheel chair because of a degenerative bone disease. He has spent time at correctional facilities throughout the state, but it wasn’t until he was transferred to Pendleton earlier this year that he said he felt his disability was ignored.
-
Arrest log: May 27
The following arrest log appears in the Sunday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Parents at Little League say coach took money
Parents of the North Anderson Little League filed a complaint with police against a former coach who they say stole fundraiser money.
- More Local News Headlines
-


