War Ad
A Brief History of American Veterans Affairs
By: D.J. Schaefer
Plato once put it, “only the dead have seen the end of war” and veterans will follow where war is. After every war the fighting and killing switch is suddenly shut off for the soldiers accustomed to battle. The war is over, they either won or lost, and “home” is the only place left to march. They often return home to what is a changed country with changed people, who will either love them or hate them. They then try to adjust to a life of “peace”, always at a distance from civilians. Their experiences have changed them and it is difficult to pick up where they left off. War turns these green recruits into different men after their experiences. Many soldiers come home with many serious physical and psychological problems. America has had over two centuries of dealing with our former soldiers, starting with the early sparks of the Revolutionary War. Since then, America has been in approximately 66 wars and conflicts. The attitudes towards our veterans have shifted throughout these times; from the extremes of the parades for WWII vets to the putrid disrespect of Vietnam veterans. As long as the United States of America is a country, it will need to continue to pay back veterans who gave so much in the name of their nation. From the dawn of war there would be veterans. That though did not mean they would get the respect and care that they deserved. The Greek armies of ancient times simply considered the few soldiers that made it to veterans simply citizens, with no difference amongst anyone. After a Roman soldier was done with his 30 years of compulsory service he would simply be sent out to farmlands at the empire’s borders and expected to bring stability to the area. This though was at least something. As time progressed and as wars became ever so more frequent veterans were completely ignored. Throughout these times, especially in the medieval and dark ages, soldiers were simply dismissed after
By: D.J. Schaefer
Plato once put it, “only the dead have seen the end of war” and veterans will follow where war is. After every war the fighting and killing switch is suddenly shut off for the soldiers accustomed to battle. The war is over, they either won or lost, and “home” is the only place left to march. They often return home to what is a changed country with changed people, who will either love them or hate them. They then try to adjust to a life of “peace”, always at a distance from civilians. Their experiences have changed them and it is difficult to pick up where they left off. War turns these green recruits into different men after their experiences. Many soldiers come home with many serious physical and psychological problems. America has had over two centuries of dealing with our former soldiers, starting with the early sparks of the Revolutionary War. Since then, America has been in approximately 66 wars and conflicts. The attitudes towards our veterans have shifted throughout these times; from the extremes of the parades for WWII vets to the putrid disrespect of Vietnam veterans. As long as the United States of America is a country, it will need to continue to pay back veterans who gave so much in the name of their nation. From the dawn of war there would be veterans. That though did not mean they would get the respect and care that they deserved. The Greek armies of ancient times simply considered the few soldiers that made it to veterans simply citizens, with no difference amongst anyone. After a Roman soldier was done with his 30 years of compulsory service he would simply be sent out to farmlands at the empire’s borders and expected to bring stability to the area. This though was at least something. As time progressed and as wars became ever so more frequent veterans were completely ignored. Throughout these times, especially in the medieval and dark ages, soldiers were simply dismissed after