James David Hudson

James David Hudson was born on July 13, 1944 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was drafted into the army even though he was attending William and Mary College (VIT) as he was in a work-study program. He was on a bus to Ft. Sam Houston, TX on his 21st birthday. After basic training he was sent to Vietnam where he was attached to a medical supply unit. Jim never spoke much about the awful things he saw there. It was too painful. He preferred to tell funny stories and talk about people he served with or met there. When he returned he tried to finish college but his job in sales made it impossible. He was broken-hearted about how he and his fellow veterans were treated and was spit on and even called a “baby killer”. He was in his 60’s before he heard the words “thank you for your service”.
He married and moved to Erie with his wife and young son. Jim returned from Vietnam with two things he never wanted: alcoholism, which nearly destroyed his life and heavy smoking, which eventually contributed to his death. As a recovering alcoholic Jim joined a veterans’ AA group and then helped other veterans get and stay sober. He was a loving and loved husband, father, and papa. He passed away at the PA Soldiers and Sailors Home on May 13, 2021.