The military and problem marriages seem to go hand in hand. Our soldiers…both men and women…suffer terribly in the wars that we are fighting today. Unlike the world wars that occurred in history, these wars are different because there is not a united front at home. There is not a united front that supports, cares and sacrifices for the good of our soldiers overseas who are fighting for our cause and the cause of freedom.
So many Americans disagree, don’t understand and don’t have to sacrifice anything here at home as these soldiers give the ultimate sacrifice. Our soldiers often feel alone and a frightening number of them end up suffering with various addictions in order to escape the horrors of war that they experienced.
These soldiers are often unable to understand and own the horrific experiences they endured. Instead, they attempt to pretend these events and these feelings didn’t happen. They attempt to come home and act as though they are the same people who were deployed an eternity before.
We, as Americans need to stand up for them and behind them as they attempt to rejoin the American population here in the States. We as the people who didn’t experience what they experienced need to seek help in understanding the facts and how we can help them.
The reality is that they need therapy, possibly medication and often marriage counseling. These soldiers are often depressed and need help and support. A frightening number of them end up homeless because of what they endured fighting for us, for our children, for our freedom and for the people in third world countries who often don’t even appreciate their gallant efforts.
For those of you who are living through their aftershock, God bless you and keep you in a supportive mode as long as possible. The breakup of a marriage is painful enough but add a broken soldier to the scenario is beyond heart wrenching.
I am not saying that you should endure abuse or disrespect or disloyalty but I am asking that you try to remember the person that was the soldier you married and try to understand the thing that you didn’t experience. That thing is a war that involves men, women and children who often don’t appreciate the fearless efforts of our soldiers… your soldier… our soldiers.
