I did not write this blog post. It is written by an American lady called Amy Rose. It is a wonderful wakeup call to everybody who thinks that a war is over when the troops all come back home. Take the time to read what Amy has written and then just think for a moment about all those young men who have gone to war over the years and come back forever changed.
Gripping her cellphone, the woman shook so hard with fear, beads of sweat formed on her forehead. She heard nothing but her rapidly pounding heart and the shrill of her ringing phone. Please pick up! Oh God, someone please pick up!
Listening … Is he still sleeping? Listening … Oh thank God, yes!
She had just counted the pills. Twenty-three gone where only a maximum of ten should have been missing. Last time this happened, he flipped out and hallucinated thinking she was the “gook”. He had tried to kill her. She had to run for her life.
And here his psychiatrist had prescribed the exact same medication that had made him flip out. Why wasn’t the drug alert notice in her husband’s chart? OMG! Someone please pick up!
It seemed like forever standing there shaking uncontrollably, heart pounding madly unable to catch her breath. Finally finally an operator picked up saying, “Operator 13. How may I assist…
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John Knifton 
No war is ever really over. Only one reason why no one ever wins a war.
I fully agree with you. And it is always the innocent civilians and the innocent young soldiers who suffer, and never the politicians. The biggest problem, however, is just what do you do to stop the evil of people like Hitler, the Japanese in the 30s and the Looney Tunes crazies we currently have, driving lorries along pavements to kill shoppers and denying us our free speech by killing those who seek to exercise it. What would be nice, though, is to see more governmental help for the people who fight the wars in my name and then who come back but are left (over here certainly) very much to their own devices.
EXCELLENT!! John! You are a man after my own heart!
John, I am very honored that you reblogged this post. I know you are such a gifted writer yourself so for you to do what you did, humbles me greatly. Thank you. More of us who understand that war does not stop when the Vet comes homes, need to speak up. The Code of Silence is all consuming and society at large does not want to hear that wars are continuing in the home within families. I for one am breaking that Code of Silence. And in doing so, I am taking back my power as “me”. Bless you from the bottom of my Heart. Love, Amy ❤
I think you would be surprised, Amy, just how many people are on your side. Society is certainly aware nowadays of the effects of war on the people who fight it for us. The next step is to involve the politicians who start the wars but who then seem strangely reluctant to pay out the money to help the families who seem to do the lion’s share of the suffering. And thank you for your kind words, Amy. It was a privilege to re-blog your writing to a wider audience.
My experience shows that still not many people are on my side especially the law. Family Court has showed increased interventions but those are only Tough Love measures. There are not enough sources for family counseling or organizations that offer programs… sports, family trips, FUN outlets to give these families a way of incorporating laughter and enjoyment into their lives. How about a Vet’s baseball team? Or something like that where these Vets can channel their anger into something g constructive. How about volunteer opportunities where Vets get involved in a big brother big sister type of relationship, taking an unfortunate little child under their wing? These Vets were trained to serve and protect so why not do so but in a healthy manner in society? This attitude of dropping off Vet back into home after service with no preparation is wrong. I really hope to live to see a day when our governments assist our Vets to deal with the brokenness in positive ways. Don’t get me started on drugging our Vets to control them.
Thanks for reblogging this John. It was a very moving report.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, if that is the right word. There must be one or two Australian families out there who can identify with Amy. I remember, years ago, going into our local army surplus store and finding a big box with lots of pairs of boots inside it. They were labelled “Australian army boots” and they still had the mud of Vietnam on them and in some cases, bits of vegetation caught up in the laces.
The scars of war can often be obvious. But so often they cannot be seen. It doesn’t just affect those of us who have been in combat, but those that we love and cherish. Those loved ones that so often have to pick up the pieces when we break again and again. Thank you for re-blogging this John.
You are absolutely right. My own father returned from WW2 a different man from the one who had left five years before. My heart goes out to Amy and the way she is still fighting a long ago and distant war.
As does mine John.
Thanks for sharing this story, John.
“Enjoy” isn’t the word for this tragic tale, but sometimes, there are posts that you recognise straightaway need to be seen by a bigger audience.
I think there are many people who are affected in this way and live this life daily. Combat continues long after the war has been fought, it become s mental war, a terrifying war in which you are divided between love and fear. Vets and their families need and deserve greater support and help – and not just in the short term either.
I mentioned my Dad in a comment above, and I would have to say that he too was affected by what he saw in the war. As a child of 10 or 15 though, I didn’t recognise why he was like he was. I just thought he was over-strict but I realise now that you don’t do and see the things he did and remain a 100% well ,adjusted human being.
I agree John. Being a part of these events has to change any normal human being for the long term.
My paternal grandfather fought in the First World War. He suffered nightmares for twenty years afterwards. My uncle said that their childhood was blighted by my grandfathers unpredictable changes of mood from irrational tantrums to unfathomable depressions. If ever I asked my grandfather about the war he would just say, “You don’t want to know about that” and walk away. The chasm in understanding that exists between those who have experienced war and those who have not is unbridgeable.
We must try and help the people who have fought on our behalf, though, and at the moment that does not seem to be happening too much. Three or four years ago there was a man camping down by a stream in the trees at the back of the City Hospital. I found out later that the chances were that he was a veteran who couldn’t hold down a job and whose family had kicked him out. The government needs to provide more help for the people who fight the wars that make them look good, but are then abandoned.
If anybody wants to help, or to find out what they can do to help, these are two organisations here in England….
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/
https://www.theinvictafoundation.org.uk
I don’t think that they operate in other countries, but if they know of any similar groups in your country, then I am sure that they would help you if you contacted them.