Greetings from Veterans' Day

After WWII, volunteer veterans were hailed as heroes. Korean Conflict veterans were confusing--was it a war or not? During Viet Nam, volunteer and conscripted veterans were dismissed, disgarded, and disregarded. In the past 20 years, distant wars in the Middle East have taken their toll on our veterans, including more women soldiers than ever before. One Vet of three wars, asked me if I thought Truman was correct in releasing the bombs over Japan to end WWII. He cared about my response. He had struggled to justify the deaths of innocents and agonized over how to stop the killing while preserving democracy and world stabilization. Nightmares plagued him. My father-in-law weeps seven decades after experiencing horrid events that haunt his memory. More Viet Nam Vets have killed themselves than those who died in action. US Vets are completing suicide every hour of every day. My brother has not spoken about his months on Viet Nam soil. We are just now understanding how important it is to recognize service and sacrifice in defense of our country and constitution, so we often say "Thank you."My step-son told me how proud he was when anyone stopped him on the street while he wore his uniform and said "thanks." Yet, he served state-side only, never went into battle. He sleeps pretty well at night. Finally, old evidence shared in VFW bars and VA hospitals is being published as new information on "Moral Injury" for civilians to read. The need for chaplains exceeds the need for psychotherapists with returning warriors. Perhaps "Thank you" creates a conflict within a soldier's conscience in today's warfare against non-uniformed enemies who can be any gender and age. If a soldier's action on duty has resulted in the death or injury of innocents, he or she may feel guilty when thanked. Perhaps, out of sentitivity, we should say, "I am glad you are alive and home again." Welcome home.