I have a friend who joined the army two years ago. He came back home now for good with plenty of horrible stories to tell us. But one story that totally caught my attention more than all the rest was about a friend that he had made there. They were stationed together and roomed together. And basically the best friend he had while he was away. His friend couldn't stand seeing all these people dying in front of him and so many of the other soldiers dying that he actually shot himself. My friend still hasn't gotten over this and ofcourse out of all the soldiers that he saw die, this one haunts him the most.

Wow thats so sad. I dont think I would ever be the same person if I had that happen to me. Especially in Iraq or a country where I feel so insecure in. How is your friend coping with this?

One of the not-so-good things about not having a draft is that most people of military age simply have no idea what life in the service is all about, much less about war and its effects on the people that fight them. Otherwise, I think most people who had relatives and friends who had served the nation would be able to discuss their experiences with each generation of new soldiers and pass on what they know so they'd be at least partially prepared for it mentally.

War, as William T. Sherman once said, is all hell.

yeah I could see why this would haunt him. It's very sad and I bet it happens more often than we hear about. There are so many stories that soldiers come back with. I think the best thing we can do for them is be there when they want to talk about it and dont pressure them at all. they will speak about it when they want if they ever want to. its hard on our side of it though because its easy to ask too many questions and make them feel overwhelmed or bring up a hard time on them.