One Step at a Time

Greg Burham, a Navy SEAL Vietnam combat veteran came home to an ungrateful nation. Carrying the invisible wounds of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder before the medical profession understood the condition, Greg struggled to take the next steps in his life.

One Step at a Time is the story of Greg Burham's journey, tracing his walk of discovery and healing almost 4,000 miles from Alaska to Mexico. With every step, he grew stronger in his faith in God, in himself and in others, eventually finding his place in the world helping people deal with trauma, from troubled teens, to combat veterans, to 9/11 first responders.

Greg was born into a family that venerated service, encouraged him to always give his best, and taught him to give selflessly. The son of a World War II veteran, Greg was a hometown sports hero who patriotically enlisted in the US Navy. After earning his Trident and becoming a Navy SEAL, he was deployed to Vietnam for a harrowing tour, often behind enemy lines.

After serving as one of the feared "Men with Green Faces" in Vietnam, Greg returned to a world where veterans were considered evil or crazy. Facing the scorn of his peers, he struggled with PTSD and missed the goal-driven, physically challenging world of the Navy SEAL community. Seeking answers, a challenge and renewal, Greg embarked on this journey.

This epic hike put Greg on a path to his life's work, helping people deal with PTSD-including veterans of the North Vietnamese Army. His work has played a role in removing the stigma that has prevented SEALs from getting help in the past and that is putting an end to the emotional pain our nation's hero veterans too often suffer.

Greg has been fortunate to begin and complete two life changing experiences that most people do not have the opportunity to begin much less complete. His "walk" is one and his military experience in the Navy's UDT and SEAL Teams is the other. Greg was a major part of my military service, as we were in the same UDTB class, UDT-22, SEAL Team TWO and the same SEAL Platoon in Viet Nam. It was an honor to serve with Greg. We had eachother's back through it all and I couldn't have had a better man. No matter how much time has passed, or the distance we have been apart, he will always be my SEAL brother and my true friend.--LT. George A. Ganoung, Class 46E, UDT-22 ST2 The Navy uses a numeric system to evaluate individuals in the performance of their duties. However, the eval, does not address the many personal qualities of the man. As Greg's Platoon Chief, it was my duty to conduct the evals of each man in my Platoon. Of all the evals I had done in my Navy career, the most difficult was, Greg Burham. To mention a few of Greg's qualities..., LOYALTY, in action and word..., SINCERITY, in everything he did..., RESPONSIBILITY, could always be counted on to get the job done..., EXAMPLE, always set a good example for others to follow...., FAIRNESS, absolutely fair and square with others..., COMMON SENSE, to Greg here is no substitute..., PRIDE, took pride in the Navy, the SEAL Team, and did his utmost in developing thesame pride to others..., DETERMINATION, to be the best he could. As you read the book, you will be quick to identify each of the qualities I mentioned. I am proud to have had Greg as a Teammate in SEAL Team TWO and honored to call him MY FRIEND.--Master Chief Bill Bruhmuller, USN Retired I first saw Greg Burham in the spring of 1969. He was in the UDTR class ahead of mine. He was checking out of the Naval Amphibious School while I was checking in. Damn, he was tall! Little did I know at the time that a year later we would be in the same SEAL platoon gearing up for Vietnam. The furnace of combat forges unbreakable bounds of brotherhood between those who experience it together. As I look back through the prism of forty-five years, almost three decades of which was spent on active duty as a SEAL, I remember a time when we were all so young. I was the junior enlisted man in that platoon, also, the youngest and cutest. Eight of the members of SEAL Team TWO Tenth platoon in Vi Thanh retired after long careers as SEALs. Three as Chief Petty Officers, four as Master Chief Petty Officers, and me. There was also a cowboy, a restauranteur, an ATF agent, a photographer, a Boreas Rex (look it up), and a PTSD Counselor. All SEALs form a common brotherhood of warriors, but of those early days I remember two who to this day I call brother whenever we talk or meet; Greg Burham and Keith LeBlanc. Keith was our resident "spook," technically not a SEAL, but in every way one of us. He patrolled with us. We walked the very same trails together. He is every bit my brother as any SEAL who ever wore a trident. I remember sitting on top of a bunker in Vi Thanh consuming copious amounts of Budweiser and Mateus Rose while Keith, Greg, and I solved all the world's problems. So, for Greg, to this very day whither thou goest my friend I am there for you. Except ...maybe not a three thousand mile walk! Wow, what a milestone achievement!--Bob Harger, Commander, USNR-Retired, Class 47-E