Quote:
Originally Posted by SilberUrS6
I would talk to your son in person, and be happy doing so. I will talk to him by phone, via e-mail, whatever.
Realize this: I have never been there. I have never had anyone shoot at me with the intent to kill me, and I have never shot at anyone with the intent to kill them. Since I haven't been there, I don't know anything about it. I have only listened to those who have been there. I understand in a way that only those who haven't been there understand - combat arms is not a place for human beings. You might go there, but "you" won't come back. Someone else will. And that person might not be that great a person.
I loved my cousin before he went, and I loved him when he came back. And I understand he was proud of his service. I am proud of his decision to serve. But I will tell everyone that before they become a combat infantryman, please look into some other specialty first.
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First off, I'm very sorry for your loss; and very proud of your cousin for his service. It has been said many times that war is hell. This is not an understatement, and some people are unable to ever escape that hell, even after returning home to their loved ones.
As to the bolded part...please realize that it's a job that SOMEBODY has to do, and unfortunately, many thousands of people must do this job. The sad reality is that some simply aren't wired to do perform this line of work--even if they think they are--while others can do it just fine. In my opinion, we do not do a good job of preparing our combatant soldiers for the atrocities that they may/will face, and we do an even worse job of taking care of them once they come home.