North Bend resident Jim Curtis hosted a free martial arts program for veterans on Jan. 16 at the Mount Si Sports and Fitness Facility. The program is geared toward helping veterans who are dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other combat-related issues.
Curtis, an Oregonian native, joined the Marine Corps in 1968 hoping to operate heavy equipment, but he soon discovered he would be an infantry marine in the Vietnam War instead. Curtis served for 12 months as a Marine Corps machine gunner in the war.
During his third or fourth week in Vietnam, Curtis said his area of service was overrun and he was wounded by mortar fire. Five out of 19 marines died that night.
“That was scary because it was my first experience in combat,” Curtis said. “One of the images [I had] the next day was of all the bodies laid out. That’s how the PTSD comes about.”
He said he was lucky when he came off of duty. Curtis spent about two and a half years in Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he was stationed to serve. He was also stationed in the Long Beach Naval Station where he drove around the Los Angeles and Orange counties (also California) as a short patrol.
“I think if I [would have] come back and been innately out in civilian life, I would not have had any structure,” he said. “There’s a camaraderie amongst your fellow service people and when you get out, you realize you’re on your own.”
Curtis dealt with his PTSD a year after leaving the Marine Corps by “self-medicating” with alcohol. He said he got into heavy drinking and partying. Curtis said he was lucky he didn’t get into trouble as negative coping skills can easily turn self-destructive in the long-term.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 15 out of every 100 Vietnam veterans are diagnosed with PTSD, and it’s estimated that about 30 out of every 100 veterans has had PTSD in their lifetime.
Jim Curtis demonstrates martial arts techniques with Charles Hahn. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo.
To cope with PTSD, Curtis decided to pursue martial arts training and practice. The physical activity allowed him to regain focus and reduce levels of stress. Since that life-changing decision, Curtis has had more than 50 years of experience in the martial arts and holds a 10th Degree Grandmaster’s rank in both traditional karate and practical self-defense. He wants to do his part of honoring the dead by helping the living with martial arts training and practice.
In his free program, Curtis will teach practical martial arts practices that are designed to give participants techniques and strategies to protect themselves. The fighting techniques range from karate, boxing, wrestling and Marine Corps hand-to-hand combat.
The martial arts program will meet every week at the facility on 1546 Boalch Ave. NW #10 in North Bend.
Military veterans who want to participate in the free martial arts program can contact Curtis at umibushi@yahoo.com or visit his website online at www.umibushi.com.
Veterans need to bring a copy of their DD-214 upon arriving at the sports facility.
