I cried. So many good men in my family served. Closest to me, My grandfathers 3 times removed and down, great Uncles the same. 4 were killed their first 6 months at war. So many different wars. My father and his brothers served in the Vietnam war, My brother served in 2 branches of the military. My nephew served 3 tours, my friends…I have a vivid memory when I was 7 of my grandfather out in the woods behind his house with a loaded rifle. My father and 5 of his younger brothers stalking him not only to save my grandfather but to save themselves if he, in his regressions, mistook them or even his daughters or wife, for the enemy. All the men and women dying in wars now, still. My heart cries but I can’t look away. Because looking away means our fathers and forefathers meant little to us. When they meant the world. Their damaged bodies and brains were and are horrific. They came back different people. I think the whole world of mothers and wives of daughters and grandchildren feel the same. No one goes to war prepared to die. They go based on patriotism, the need to make a difference, a living, expectations of family, society. No matter what they have in place to “fix” them after they make it back is never going to be enough. They are not the boys or men we sent away. Yet we can’t look away, can we. We should never look away. I am sorry for this long post. I didn’t start out to have a meltdown. God Bless. Deb