Page 16 - Stand Down Vietnam
P. 16

PROLOGUE
                                             Wounds That Do Not Bleed

               Significant numbers of our nation’s Veterans suffer
               from physical, emotional and other medical conditions,
               such as PTSD, associated with their military service.

               Being wounded, or witnessing traumatic events;

               countless Veterans continue to suffer; many struggle
               from wounds that do not bleed.  The aftermath of
               experiencing horrific events often becomes suppressed
               deep within; resulting in memories that remain

               ensnared.


               Observing people being injured, wounded or killed
               during a hostile engagement or while training, turns
               everything upside down.  All that encompasses one’s

               moral character is challenged.  This holds true whether
               in combat, combat service support, or rendering

               humanitarian aid.

               These injuries often become a lifelong sentence,
               producing questions that only the soldier (Veteran) can
               attempt to answer:


                   ➢  “Am I hateful or respectable?”;


                   ➢  “Are/were my actions hateful or respectable?”;

                   ➢  “Were my thoughts and actions my own, or just me
                       following orders, deprived of any opportunity to
                       ask questions?”;

                   ➢  “Did I commit any immoral acts while performing my
                       military duties?”
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