Topic: Reflections

An Army Interrogator, His Grandfather, and a Bond Across Two Wars
“My parents, like most Chinese immigrants, valued education as the ultimate achievement,” writes veteran Hunter Lu. “The military was for dumb people.”

Care Packages a Powerful Symbol of the Military-Civilian Divide
Many care packages included notes calling troops “heroes,” and gratitude for “protecting America’s freedom.” These, to many of us, rang hollow.

Baseball Games in Tokyo and a White House Tour—“I Bet It Never Smells Like Fart in There”
When the Secret Service let a member of the Air Force into the vice president’s vehicle, he thought to himself, “I bet it never smells like fart in there.”

Afghan Peace Process Puts Life in Limbo for Generations of U.S. Allies, Former U.S. Interpreters
“My scarred body represents just a small sacrifice for our country, a country we have built without the Taliban,” said the father of a U.S. interpreter.

“War Never Changes”—a Marine, a “Hardcore Warrior,” and a Connection Across Generations in Uniform
A World War II soldier and a Marine walk into a bar. Over drinks, the two veterans discuss how to truly return home after war: Never stop serving others.

To Prepare for War, Dubbed Disney Classics and a Detour to the “Wild West”
“Guess it’s time to find The Lion King in Pashto.” A Marine studies Disney classics in Arabic to prepare for the Iraq war only to be sent to Afghanistan.

“I Hope She’s Scarred for Life” — Recalling My Time as a Blackwater Mercenary
Blackwater employees were “integral” to rebuilding Iraq, but with limited oversight, contractors had “no ethical obligation” to the country’s citizens.

“I Still Find Hope”—Purple Fingers, Steel Rain, and Getting “Messy” in a Combat Zone
Service members have voted by mail since World War II. “My nation trusted me,” writes Joshua Manning, who cast ballots while deployed to several countries.

A Calling Through Art, Decades After Choosing Not to Serve
“My name should be on that wall.” A civilian reflects on choosing not to join the military during the Vietnam War and his journey to create art about war.