Wounds of War

As I have traveled doing book signings, radio and TV interviews, speaking engagements I am amazed how people have open up to tell their stories of survival, returning home and the adjustments of finding a life. All veterans of previous wars have faced these challenges and now the children and grandchildren of those veterans are walking those well worn roads. Every war is the same. Every war is different depending on how you look at it. A reflection of the confusing nature of combat in war. There are the common threads of war, death and destruction, men and women becoming veterans. How these things happen makes the difference.

Every veteran who has survived combat has a physically, mentally, or emotionally wound covered by a scar. All physical wounds carry lingering mental and emotional memories of what caused the wound. The bright flash of an explosion from touching a doll turns a momentary memory of home into months and years of pain. In the Iraq war, the kinds of wounds reflect the military’s attempt to save lives. Body armor has increased survivability, yet at the same time increased disabilities and head injuries. Which means more loss of limbs and head injuries that translates into more complex therapies that take more recovery time.

These types of wounds put a greater burden on the family because only certain medical facilities can handle the greater demand of medical care needed. Wounds, which take long recovery times, that has to take place in special medical facilities. Was the VA set up to response to such a demand? Where families have to travel long distances many times to see and be with their love ones adds another dimension that should be considered during the recovery time?

I know families that are experiencing the pain of seeing their love ones struggle with these types of injuries. Watching the blinking of eyes that signals a giant leap of accomplishment and a smile brings remembrances of normal.