There are a few vets in my family. Quite honestly, not one of them who served during war times came back anywhere near the way they were when they left. I think our nation has done a huge disservice to those who sign up to put their lives on the line for our freedom and safety.
One of my cousins fought in Vietnam. He REFUSES to discuss what happened there. Of course, I don't know how he was before he left. But, even the pictures before war looked different. He had a more pleasant disposition. When he came back, he had major struggles. Eventually, he ended up being an alcoholic and crack head. After years of being addicted to drugs, he went through a rehab program and has been sober for close to 20 years now. However, he still has to deal with the consequences. His girlfriend gave birth to a child who was addicted to drugs and still doesn't have the ability to make sound decisions. My cousin's body was ravaged. He still drinks heavily.
He will tell you that he started drinking and doing drugs because it helped him forget and to make it through another day.
I've had other cousins involved in this Iraq mess. One of them went totally crazy because of the things his job required of him. Then, he was dishonorably discharged. Before being discharged he requested a mental health evaluation and was denied. Another never made it home alive. Another is still in the military preparing for her third deployment in Iraq. She's a little nuts too.
Is this really how we should honor those who lay their lives on the line? My older cousin doesn't even acknowledge veterans day simply because he thinks it's a joke. He says you can't pick one day to honor those who have lost limbs, suffered unimaginable pain, and are in horrible mental health on one day with a lousy parade. I agree.
One of my cousins fought in Vietnam. He REFUSES to discuss what happened there. Of course, I don't know how he was before he left. But, even the pictures before war looked different. He had a more pleasant disposition. When he came back, he had major struggles. Eventually, he ended up being an alcoholic and crack head. After years of being addicted to drugs, he went through a rehab program and has been sober for close to 20 years now. However, he still has to deal with the consequences. His girlfriend gave birth to a child who was addicted to drugs and still doesn't have the ability to make sound decisions. My cousin's body was ravaged. He still drinks heavily.
He will tell you that he started drinking and doing drugs because it helped him forget and to make it through another day.
I've had other cousins involved in this Iraq mess. One of them went totally crazy because of the things his job required of him. Then, he was dishonorably discharged. Before being discharged he requested a mental health evaluation and was denied. Another never made it home alive. Another is still in the military preparing for her third deployment in Iraq. She's a little nuts too.
Is this really how we should honor those who lay their lives on the line? My older cousin doesn't even acknowledge veterans day simply because he thinks it's a joke. He says you can't pick one day to honor those who have lost limbs, suffered unimaginable pain, and are in horrible mental health on one day with a lousy parade. I agree.
Comments
Lonna
Trinimerican
Red