Thoughts on Afghanistan

To all my veteran friends: 

I know you're suffering, and I wish I could help. 

I never had the honor of serving in the military; I tried, but was deemed medically unfit to serve. Even though it wasn't my fault, I still feel ashamed of that. 

Despite that, however, I do have some idea of what you're going through right now. My father is a Vietnam veteran, and I grew up on stories of how the politicians tried to run that war and that's how and why we lost. I can see, as you do, that our time in Afghanistan was just a repeat of Vietnam, albeit on a larger scale. 

I don't know that there's anything I can say which will help you feel better, but regardless, I want you to know that you didn't fail. Rather, it was your leadership which failed you. So long as you served honorably, you have nothing to be ashamed of.

An oncologist who helps a patient fight cancer into remission, only to have have patient die 20 years later, did not fail in their fight against cancer; rather, they gave that patient 20 more years than they would have had otherwise! That is what you accomplished in Afghanistan. You have changed the lives of so many, some of whom were able to get an education and leave that country to better their lives. Compassion is never wasted. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed or depressed, please reach out to friends, family, and battle buddies. Reach out to me if you have no one else. Just please, practice self-care right now, and not self-harm. 

You have value and the world is better with you in it.

Veteran's Crisis Line: 

• Call  1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
• Text 838255
• Chat online:  https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat

Don't be on of the 22 veterans a day who kill themselves. Don't suffer alone. Please reach out.