As I wrote my research paper about veterans thru-hiking as a form of therapy to help cope with post-traumatic stress disorder and the transition back home I cannot help but think about the irony of the due date for this assignment. Today marks the day that one of my closest friends begins his Crucible for Marine Corps bootcamp. Knowing how close he is to being done and back home is a relief, but it also makes it very real that he is about to begin his career as a United States Marine. As someone who is not a member of a military family, but has moved into a military dominated community just a few miles from Quantico, Virginia this is a very scary idea for me.
I have the upmost respect for US Marines and for all members of the armed forces, but I have always personally felt that everyone should be safe at home with their family. Writing this paper has made me more aware of the hardships that they face upon their return home. Coming home has always been a joyous occasion for soldiers in my mind, filled with tears and excitement at finally being out of harms way and back in the arms of loved ones. While I always knew about PTSD, it was never in the forefront of my mind as a large issue that caused enough duress in veterans for them to permanently take themselves away from their families soon after being brought back to them.
Through my research for this paper I have become aware of the horrible reality of the frequency of veteran suicide. As my friend enters his Crucible I find myself saying extra prayers for him that he is able to find an outlet, whether it be hiking or traditional therapy, to help him cope with the things that he encounters over his career as a United States Marine. I hope that over the years to come that the services that are available to veterans are able to reach the high standards that they should be held to not only for Zac's sake, but for all of the countless veterans who have given so much for their country. They deserve it.
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