The Long Road Home

Throughout this process, I have considered the many vantage points from which you could analyze the topic of war and its effects on our society.  Some people think strictly in terms of rationale for being there, others reflect on the sheer numbers of casualties, and still others consider the amount of time lost by those who are serving in the effort.  I chose to examine this issue from a place of hope -- the hope that resides in the family and friends of deployed individuals, the hope that those during deployment have that they will return home, and the hope that the life at home will meet the expectations of all involved. 

Excerpts:

Once the deployed parent has returned home, adjustments in the routines of daily life occur again.  "You kind of sit back and just observe and watch, and start feeling your way back into your family.  You don't jump in and start playing Daddy and putting down rules and everything else." (Caroff, 2007, p. 86)  During this transition, children might require extra support to manage expectations.  While this adjustment can be difficult for all involved, it is an expected issue after any long absence.

However, there are other emotional obstacles that these veterans will encounter daily, many of which are attributed to their sustained exposure to highly unstable and stressful situations.  "To the soldier, American culture may seem foreign." (Colloff, 2004, p.93) Many describe reaching for weapons that for months became a part of their body but are no longer there, while others describe studying the mannerisms of those around them scrutinizing them for suspicious activity.  While their dependence on these routines - vital to their safety during combat - seem justifiable, the petty concerns and complaints of those they encounter in their daily life do not.  When asked what bothered him most now that he was home, Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Jordan said, "Less tolerant of stupid people, doing stupid things." (Myers, 2003, p. 1) I can understand that the daily complaints of civilians seem relatively insignificant compared to what veterans have been through.  The perspective I have gained with this assignment has caused a shift in my personal value system.