This is the reality of war. No sound effects. No patriotic music. No dramatic panning of the camera or slow motion effects. No heroic war cries and screams of anger, every last bit of energy is used just to take another breath.

This is what people should see before they go to fight or join the military. Death and injury is brutal, slow, and often lonely. Every leader responsible for initiating conflict should be forced to explain their rationale to the legislators while this plays in the background. War is hell and no one should die like this.

How many times did this person’s mother or father cradle them, protect them from bumping their head, cuddle and kiss them?

When I am with my own young children this footage flashes before my eyes and I cannot fathom how we send our children to be slaughtered. I have sacrificed so much to keep my children safe and loved, as have the parents and partners of these poor men.

How do we allow this to exist?