War

I don't know much about war, history isn't really my subject. Last year we learned about the Vietnam war. It was the first and last televised war. Vietnam changed a lot of things for America. This is when the anti-war movement really caught the nation's attention. Before Vietnam, Americans were more supportive of the veterans and their cause. When the veterans came home from Vietnam, instead of being greeted warmly and celebrated, they were booed and spat at. Americans mentality of war changed.

My uncle was a vet. He wasn't on a front line or anything but he saw his fair share of awfulness. I don't remember what war he fought in but he retired only a few years ago. He came out with minimal post traumatic stress. I know it is technically diagnosed as PTSD, post traumatic stress disorder, but I don't believe it is a disorder. In every situation we react. It what humans do. In stressful situations, like war and death, we react. This stress is extreme like the situation. It isn't a surprise that such a life changing event could have that large of an effect later on. Every person reacts differently and every case of PTS is different.

Now my uncle works with retired vets. He sees all kinds of problems people develop from this stress. Most common, is substance abuse. He becomes like a sponsor to these people and gets them through rehab. It is incredibly unfortunate that these people feel like they can only escape these horrors by hurting themselves. I was never pro-war. I don't think I ever will be. That being said, I have the greatest respect for these people who will risk their life for their country. What they see is truly horrible and most of them will never be the same when they get back home. I think that is why I am anti-war. If I believe strongly in a cause I will fight for it, just in a different way. I can't handle the loss in humanity and human rights that comes with war. War kills people physically and mentally.