I Was a Shitbag. Now, I Help Carry Others Through Their Darkness.
Two months later, he thanks me for listening, for still being Doc. I took care of them over there, I can take care of them back home, I tell myself.
America is disconnected from veterans and military families. Be part of the solution.
DonateMichael E. Flores served in the Army National Guard for seven years and deployed to Iraq from 2006 to 2007 with an infantry unit. Since turning civilian, Michael has been a researcher at the Veteran Independent Research Organization and a reporter for KPCC/LAist in Southern California. He is also a reporting fellow for the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting.
Two months later, he thanks me for listening, for still being Doc. I took care of them over there, I can take care of them back home, I tell myself.
Service members often feel compelled to laugh along at racist jokes and comments.