Picking Up the Pieces:

We oldsters have a huge investment in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. That investment is our children. And these children are returning with injuries of a nature largely unseen before this war. For many American parents hopes of a fulfilling retirement in which I lifetime of hard work can pay dividends has vanished. These lost dreams have been replaced with the bitter reality of providing extended care for war wounded adult children.

This video clip and associated article gives a glimpse into the lives of some of these AARP families. It is narrated by Jane Pauley.

http://www.aarp.org/family/caregiving/iraq_vets_tv/?NLC-WBLTR-CTRL=F4-52308

An astounding fact is that one in four homeless people are Viet Nam veterans. The cost to America of ignoring the problems of this new group of war survivors will be far larger than the enormous costs that it will take to ensure that these fallen warriors are returned to useful lives.

It makes no difference if you are for or against the conflict in the Middle East. These people and their problems are with us now and will be with us for years to come because they are our sons and daughters and in some cases our grand sons and grand daughters.