DVS to Welcome Author of Book About Ongoing Search to Find His PTSD-Afflicted Homeless Son


(Santa Fe) –DVS Cabinet Secretary Donnie Quintana will be on hand to welcome Patrick Smithwick on Tuesday, July 11, for a discussion in Santa Fe about Smithwick's book War's Over, Come Home: A Father's Search for His Son, Two-Tour Marine Veteran of the Iraq War.

The public is invited to join in this discussion hosted by the Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse from 6-7 p.m. in downtown Santa Fe at 202 Galisteo Street.

The book is an upfront, raw, and very intimate account of Smithwick and his family's ongoing multi-year quest to find his son, Marine Corps Pfc. Andrew. Smithwick.

Upon returning from a second tour of duty in Iraq, Andrew developed a severe case of PTSD. He drifted from job to job, became homeless, and eventually disconnected from his tight-knit family and friends. He has been wandering around the country ever since—always a few steps ahead of searching family members, and desperately in need of mental health assistance for the many mental demons Patrick Smithwick said Andrew is battling.

Patrick Smithwick has remained upbeat and positive. He will talk in depth about how the ordeal has affected him and his family. He welcomes questions from the audience—especially those from families of veterans who are also affected by PTSD.

The discussion will also be livestreamed via zoom. Please click on this link to register for the zoom link.

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7zsQKTNXQ7KXa8xyjZq9Qg#/registration