Helping warriors transition into citizens

By the Rev. John Morris

Communities across the U.S. are about to experience the near simultaneous return of thousands of combat veterans: the proud, tired and bloodied, many after 22-month combat deployment. Towns will hail the returning warriors with wonderful “Welcome Home” ceremonies. The veterans will cherish the sentiment, then shoulder their duffle bags and simply “go home.” Unfortunately, “going home” is neither simple nor easy. Months of combat training and combat operations have forged these men and women into warriors. Within 300 hours of their last combat mission, they are demobilized and back on the streets in the U.S. The homes they return to will have changed. The majority of families learned to survive without their soldier: roles changed, children grew and family dynamics are altered. For a minority, marriages ended and families shattered beneath the stress of prolonged separation.

These proud veterans will face the daunting challenges of freedom. Gone is the austere, disciplined life of a forward operating base focused on missions and the camaraderie of the military unit. Ahead is the complex, multi-tasking, fast-paced world of work, family, civic responsibilities and/or school.The vast majority will face these challenges and handle them well. In fact, as past generations have shown, this generation of veterans will emerge as leaders in every sector of society. Discipline, combined with wisdom and the love of life appreciated by those who have seen it threatened will vault this generation ahead of its peers. Future governors, senators, doctors, lawyers, teachers, clergy, social workers and scientists undoubtedly are returning.A few will stumble. These troubled souls will wrestle with the effects of war on themselves and their families. They will need the best this country has to offer.
How communities can helpMost will need some support: employers willing to be patient as they wrestle to regain skills that have atrophied; educators willing to help them through the complexities of admission, registration and return to rigorous study; parenting classes to help them learn to parent the children they love but barely know; and wise counselors to help them negotiate new roles in marriage and families. They need medical providers who understand traumatic brain injuries, Middle Eastern parasites and skin diseases. Clergy who can listen without condemnation and help them soften the hardness of soul war can produce.

Mostly they need a community that walks with them and their families long after the yellow ribbons unravel. This community, deeply conflicted by the Iraq war, still honors the sacrifice made by these citizen-soldiers. It challenges our newest, “greatest generation” to continue selfless service by inviting them to serve in leadership capacities in business, education, government, houses of worship and nonprofit organizations. They need a community dedicated to bringing these soldiers all the way home, leaving none behind, and helping each to become the productive, healthy citizen we need.

The Rev. John Morris is a UM chaplain in the Minnesota National Guard.