Respect for veterans
This Saturday, November 11, Veterans Day is celebrated. When war is declared to another country or when there is an armed confrontation, we can all question whether there are ideological, economic or political reasons, and if that is the best alternative. But that’s a privilege that the members of the army don’t have, they have the mission of safeguarding the interests of their country and protecting the civilian population. In movies, documentaries and testimonies, we have seen the horrors of a war; but the reality is that we don’t have the slightest idea of what it is to be there. You need to have a lot of courage to participate in an armed confrontation where it is literally “kill or die,” because your life and that of your peers is in danger. The physical and psychological impact leaves traces for a lifetime, with mutilations, disabilities and mental traumas. According to an article presented by Univision, the Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), presented a report in which after studying the information of 55 million ex-combatants of war, every day around 20 veterans, take their lives. About two-thirds were 50 or older, and among women veterans the risk of suicide is 2.4 times higher than among civilians. This shows the great damage that soldiers suffer in combat. Military parades and the deployment of warplanes before sporting events are done to enhance pride and nationalism, but after the war, what then? Veterans don’t decide wars, they are people like you and me who courageously fulfilled their mission. If it is in your hands, help them!
