I am so sorry to hear of this loss – senseless and tragic. We send our children off to war – teach them to kill upon command, subject them to inhumane and awful conditions in places where even the toughest among us would be hard pressed to live, and expect them to come home and once again integrate with society as if nothing has happened to them. I have yet to meet a soldier who has seen combat that is not affected in some way – never a good way.

I was very fortunate that I had a loving father who had served in WWII and he recognized the horror that was behind my eyes when I came home on leave to recuperate after an accident. He was insightful enough to talk with me and brought me to a point where I just fell apart and wept in his arms – believe me, it was a healing experience. Unfortunately, not everyone has a father like mine was.

We need to be sensitive to our returning men and women and be there for them. They need to talk, they need to shout and vent and probably need to cry but for sure they need to know that we love them and that they are not some kind of or monsters because they have been through in a combat tour of duty.

I hurt for you and your family Joe – I’m sitting here in tears and I can only imagine how you feel. Please know that we love and care about YOUR SON! Know too that we’ll be praying for you and trust that God will grant you wisdom, grace and peace as you sort through this. Please pass my deepest sympathies to John’s family.

Sincere Regards,
Glenn