Military Conversation

I was invited to the Homecoming Party for the son of a former co-worker last night. I had never met the son Adolfo before, but his father had often mentioned, with pride, that his son was serving in “the sand box” as some folks refer to Iraq/Afghanistan.

Adolfo is 23 years old. His vehicle was destroyed by an IED and he lost his foot above the ankle, a pinkie finger and has to wear hearing aids in both ears. He shrugs these injuries off as “minor”, citing the many, more serious injuries and two deaths among his friends in his unit. The good news is that he feels well taken care of by the military doctors and therapists. He will also be getting monthly benefits that are nearly twice what I live on, which seems only fair, considering the indignities his body suffered. (and to what end?) He had photos of the wrecked and mangled vehicle. It is a tribute to military engineers and body armor that all onboard survived.

Most telling, to me, was a conversation he had with one of his high school buddies. He said the hardest part of his service was not the separation from home or even his injuries – it was the scorn and dislike, even hatred and fear he felt from the people in Iraq. He really got the impression that NOBODY (except local leaders, who seem to profit from our presence) wanted us there.

It convinced me, even more, that the US military is doing far more harm than good in the Middle East. And that we are sacrificing the health of a generation for a purpose more despicable than any previous “war”. Even more than the economic waste and loss of life, is the huge medical liability to care for all these injured folks long term.

We simply MUST stop the nonsense and of wars and the arrogance of US foreign policy.