America´s Strenght and Weaknesses Highlighted During The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was a significant event in United States history. The Vietman experience has highlighted some of Americans’ strengths and weaknesses. The United States became involved in the Vietnam War in an effort to stop the spread of communism. (Welsh, Douglas. The Vietnam War. Greenwich Ct.: Bison, 1984. Print.) However, America was also trying to take a stand for the people of other countries. Like veterans of the Vietnam conflict, Iraq War Veterans have been the subject of various opinionated statements in recent years. Unfortunately, many people don’t truly appreciate what our veterans have done for our country. Many have sacrificed their lives to keep us safe. In this paper, I will address how Iraq War veterans have impacted our society today, and how they should be appreciated more and treated better by American society.

Many veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan resort to alcohol and other “self medications” to mask the horrors of war. A number of studies have established that as many as 33,000 war veterans abuse alcohol as a way of coping with their experience. Troops that are located in direct combat situations are at higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with seven percent experiencing such problems, compared with four percent among all soldiers. Likewise, brutality among service recruits remains an apprehension; with one in seven attacking wives or partners in a volatile rage after returning from the war zone. Some veterans battle for years with crippling symptoms of PTSD, including flashbacks, nightmares, depression, and anxiety attacks. Others fall into drug abuse, homelessness, and crime. Approximately 13,000 of the nation's homeless in 2010 were ex-military members between...

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...omeless population, even though only eight percent of the population are veterans. PTSD and severe sleep deprivation make it more difficult for anyone to hold a steady job. Without a job, it is very difficult to avoid becoming homeless. Thus, the government should help these troubled veterans by developing programs to help get them on their feet again.

Iraq War Veterans have genuinely sacrificed their lives and time to keep us safe. In this paper, I have addressed how Iraq War veterans should be treated better and appreciated more. These veterans had to see violent and horrific images; many times seeing friends die right next to them. It is doubtful we will ever how to solve veterans’ struggles and problems and promote recognition for our veterans. It is without doubt, however, that we should make every effort to do so for these valuable members of our society.