Page 65 - A Soldiers Exposition
P. 65
AN OXYMORON
An entry in Karl Marlantes’ book: What It Is Like to Go to War discusses the asking of a twenty-year-old
combat Veteran how he felt about killing someone.
“Not a f---ing thing.” rolls off the Veteran’s lips. Ask the same Veteran when he is sixty and if he is sober
the answer might be different.”
Sometimes the truth is revealing. I know the above to be true from my conversations with soldiers and
Veterans. In my opinion, it is undoubtedly an oxymoron because:
Just think about it: A twenty-year-old combat Veteran
Twenty-year-old: Not of legal age to buy a beer
Combat: Having to do with battle, warfare, and conflict
Veteran: Expert, master, experienced, old-timer
How do you define Veteran?
In any usage, what is a Veteran?
Who are we kidding?
More specifically, who is our government joking?
How can we as a society expect these young people to leave high school; serve multiple tours in
dangerous areas around the world; experience the violence and the horror: Then return home unaffected
and unharmed?
WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE?
