June 27th, 2008
Caring for Those Who Would Be Our Protectors
It is no secret that I do not approve of the war in Iraq. The financial devastation that it has caused both countries pales in comparison to the loss in lives. Our young men and women, many not even old enough to legally buy beer or wine in this country, have given their lives at an alarming rate with very little to show for it.
However, all of this aside, what I find to be truly disturbing is the poor treatment that these men and women receive once they return stateside. Most return with life-shattering wounds like missing limbs. I saw one soldier that appeared to be missing half of his skull.
Yet, far more of our soldiers bear wounds that are unseen. Deep within the recesses of their hearts and minds. Mental and emotional scars that prevent them from experiencing even the smallest of joys, like the smiles of their children or the embrace of the spouse from which they have long been separated.
We are returning these men and women to their families as empty shells. Leaving them with very little in the way of financial or psychological services. One soldier started a group to bring attention to the number of disabled veterans returning. He chastised the media exacerbating the problem by only focusing attention on those lost in combat.
There is the matter of the skyrocketing suicide rate among active soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, and those that have recently returned. These men and women have given 100% of themselves to their country. It is evident that the support that they are getting isn’t enough. They need proactive, practical assistance to deal with the horrors of war.
Last night I discovered that many active soldiers are receiving yet another slap in the face: They are losing their homes to predatory lending while they are away at war. There are currently no measures in place to prevent foreclosure, only to delay it.
No matter how you feel about the war itself, this is no way to treat the brave men and women that have volunteered to be our protectors.
June 29th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Thank you for posting this Samara! The recent news of the increasing suicide rate has left me horrified for weeks. I hadn’t heard of the foreclosure issue. When will we learn to stop telling other countries how to live when we don’t seem to do such a great job ourselves?
June 29th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I would have to agree with that statement, Tamara. I think that it is great that we have been generous to the world. I’d only like to see us give more attention to our who are citizens suffering from disaster, poverty, and economic woes.