"The War" is NOT over....

After reading a status update from a friend on fb I got to thinking.  And that thinking led to some anger.  Now that anger is leading to this blog....

Let me explain.  My friend Everett posted about all the excitement over the war being over.  But he wasn't celebrating like so many are.  He was being realistic.  And I loved his honesty.  Yes, the war is over.  Or at least that is what they say.  I don't want to get into any politics so I will leave it at that.  But here are some truths.

Yes, many military service members are coming home.  But it is far from over.  Unless you have seen the trauma that can come from returning home from war you might think it is over.  You can turn off the TV and go about your safe, happy life.  Thankful that so many have returned.  But what you might not know is that for many who have served, the war is only begining. 

What about the wounded?  The thousands of service members who now have to face years of rehabilition.  The ones who have lost limbs because of this war.  The ones who have physical scars that may never go away.  What about them?  Who is fighting for them?  They served this country, and many are not getting the care or support they deserve from society.

What about the ones who don't come home?  Their families?  Yes, war is over.  But their lives will never be the same.  They have to live their lives with an ache in their hearts that they shouldn't have to have.  Are you fighting for them?  Are you helping them?  Yes, we can all clap that we are moving on from this war but what about them?

And finally what about the ones who come home with the scars you cannot see.  PTSD is a real condition.  It is a real live issue and it is claiming the lives our our service members.  Families everywhere are mourning for the service members who come home a shell of who they once were.  And what is worse is that the suicide rates are climbing.  Society is failing these families.  Where is their support?  Where is the support for their families.  They are not taught any coping skills.  They have no clue how to help their loved ones when they come home.  They are left to feel helpless and alone.  What are we doing as a country to help these people?

We owe these service members and their families so much more.  If you are a woman and you are educated and have a job, thank a veteran, so many woman are not even allowed to go to school.  If you tucked your kids in and didn't have to worry about a bomb hitting your house, thank a veteran.  I could go on and on with examples but you get my point.  They need our help.  So instead of celebrating the war (and don't get me wrong, I am glad they are coming home) being over how about you dedicate your time or your money to helping these people?  Helping their families? 

Christmas is this weekend.  How many of these families are celebrating without a loved one?  Maybe it is time for us "civilians" to fight for them.  To stand up and say we are here to support the men and women who defend our freedoms.  So pick an organization.  Give one less present to someone and instead donate it to any one of the organizations out there.

***End Rant**