There are many motivations that would cause a group to engage in war, among them being freedom, and a desire to expand one's land, religion, and ultimately power. Although, as with any action, there are a number of consequences, both good and bad, that occur as a result of war. Many look at the war on a broad scale, how it affects a nation's unity, finances, and strength, but they fail to take a closer look at what war does to the individual. Unless one has a first-hand experience of being in the war, or is close to someone who was a soldier, it is easy to dehumanize war. The reality is that soldiers leave war not only with physical wounds and scars, but mental ailments as well. War stays with an individual even after they have left the battlefield.
The novel, Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut, follows the life of Billy Pilgrim. Pilgrim is a man who was a prisoner of war during WWII, and it forever changed him. The most interesting fact about Billy is that he can travel in time within his mind, and so the story jumps from past, present, and future events in his life. Vonnegut chose to compose the story in this way to depict what can truly happen to a person's mind after the war. Billy Pilgrim likely has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or at the very least he is hallucinogenic and has a detachment from reality. This severely impacts his career, relationships with loved ones, and day to day life.
Veterans of war are people who should be recognized for their service to the country, and their physical and mental issues should also be acknowledged. The statistics of how war impacts people are staggering. About 30% of Vietnam veterans suffer from PTSD, and 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are affected by PTSD and/or depression. Suicide, alcoholism, and drug abuse rates among veterans are climbing. These individuals need treatment in order to cope with these long-term disorders and addictions.
The general population needs to be aware of the veterans around them, not only to honor them, but to help them. These men and women have sacrificed their time, as well as their physical and mental capabilities in order to keep us safe. This means that it is our responsibility to look out for them and ensure they get proper treatment. It is estimated that only 50% of veterans seek treatment for their PTSD, but this statistic can be raised with our help. We should not be reducing veterans' benefits, but supplementing them.
