Soldiering up

I’ve been pondering, because I have barely a clue about what the answer might be, what is the best way to honor and support our returning veterans.

Two things are bouncing around in my head.

I made a stop on a recent road trip to a Cracker Barrel Restaurant & Country Store, and saw a full display of Wynonna Judd’s new album, “Love Heals.” I greatly applaud Wynonna’s attention to her Wounded Warriors Project and Cracker Barrel’s support for this album (sold exclusively at their stores).

What concerns me about the display of various and sundry t-shirts, picture frames, and other memorabilia being sold alongside the CD was the obvious attention on warriors “visibly wounded” and an overwhelming focus on “hero.”

I also visited the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. One of the most striking paintings, for me, was entitled “The War Hero,” pictured above.

Look closely at what is happening in that painting. It’s not buying bumper stickers, t-shirts, and CDs of a country music star. Folks are listening. Simple human contact is depicted in a safe environment in which to tell the story.

A returning soldier is understandably reluctant to reveal details of how, the first time under enemy fire, he shit his pants, or cried himself to sleep for a week afterwards.

So he “soldiers up.” He stuffs it. War stories do not make for polite dinner table conversation.

Can we be open to hearing the truth about what happens in war? Because if we’re not open, if we cannot mindfully listen to the horror and support the soldier who we sent—in our name—to do the dirty work, then take that bumper sticker off your car.