When Soldiers Yearn to Return to the Battlefield

When Soldiers Yearn to Return to the Battlefield

The trauma on the battlefield often brings back a lot of emotions when one travels back in his/her minds.  One emotion for certain is avenging the dear friends lost in the field of battle. Some soldiers do get the opportunity to go back to war - but many question their desire. To understand is to have lived in their shoes.  Many ask how they can't just be satisfied that they survived and can return to their families and hometowns across America.  Silently, the anger and rage intensifies with feelings of guilt for having survived.  A deeper conviction grows for justice.  Most combat soldiers often ponder, "how will I get back in the fight?"...  They ponder through the scenarios and think about lessons learned.  The traps of 'what if' and various scenarios play out in their imaginations.  

Guilt and shame often intensify over time; remorse and the sense that morality was violated in the act of war.  They ask themselves, "Did I do everything that I could to defeat the enemy and save fellow men from dying a glorious death of honor on the battlefield?".  These soldiers were great men with families, children - left behind.  This dilemma of inquiry makes the mission of defeating the enemy who took their lives resurface with hatred.  

One then asks him/herself, "How am I going to move beyond this circular tape of revolving memories that shifted my paradigm?".  There's an old saying that good people aren't supposed to have bad things happen to them.  Many question the dogma and beliefs about right and wrong.  Then, one day- they may happen upon a break through.  Enemies must be forgiven as they will face judgment ultimately from an all-knowing God.  They seek to have their hearts filled with peace and love.  It is an individual choice to remain in suffering and feelings of guilt and shame.  

During the actions of war, soldiers commit to the possibility of paying the ultimate price; their lives.  If the soldier is fortunate enough to return home alive, there are still ways to lead.  Many ways exist to honor their sacrifices and legacies.  Many of them told their peers of their life-fulfilling dreams once they made it home.  Life can still be lived through those returning; through their own versions of success.  Each of us can ask the Holy Father and Jesus Christ to show them the path, while recognizing their actions are forgiven.  

The fight will remain within each returning soldier, and we should all be aware of this.  Each day, they fight against darkness and embrace light in hopes of spreading love and inspiring others to value themselves in the world God created.  They will likely yearn to return to the battlefield to somehow rectify events - because that's who soldiers are at their core.

Helping other Veterans and individuals with health issues live beyond their labels (and the crosses they carry) - to reach their full potential possible, is a living legacy.  This type of service is indicative of unselfish giving, honoring the fallen - offering and receiving strength and hope.  Every minute, hour, day counts - there's no one counting.  What remains is the soldier and his/her ability to persevere and overcome all challenges to win against self destruction!  The fallen have given it all, and to all we owe.  It's a blessing that soldiers return from the battlefield and embrace the opportunity to not only breathe the gift of life, but to give Glory and praise to God; to live in the memory of their fallen comrades.  

Never give up, never give in.  Keep up the fight!