Wesley's homecoming wasn't a clean break. He existed in a liminal space, a post-combat purgatory, for a while. Working odd jobs for the Army and living in barracks while venturing off-base offered a taste of civilian life, a slow burn that allowed him to adjust.
This adjustment, it seems, is a timeless story. Veterans, forged in the crucible of combat, find themselves adrift in a strange, peaceful land. The camaraderie, the laser focus of purpose, the constant dance with danger – all are a world apart from the quiet hum of civilian life. Family and friends, eager to welcome them back, often find themselves on foreign soil. The chasm between their experiences is vast. How can easy conversation compete with the deafening roar of explosions? How can everyday routines replace the desperate need for survival honed to an edge sharper than any blade?
The disconnect is a silence, a heavy weight carried by Wesley and countless others. Their loved ones, yearning to reconnect, struggle to navigate this unfamiliar terrain. The veterans themselves might appear whole, but the battle scars can run deeper, etched not just on bodies but on souls.
Yet, veterans like Wesley are not alone in this fight. If communities can bridge the gap by creating support networks, offering job training, and fostering open communication, the reintegration process can become a shared mission, not a solitary struggle. By recognizing the invisible wounds of war, we can empower veterans to become storytellers, not silent sufferers. Their experiences, once a source of disconnect, can become a bridge to understanding, forging a stronger, more empathetic society for all.
Preserving Valor will continue to publish weekly emails, but the podcast will be on a short hiatus while I prepare the next veteran’s story. His name is Peter, and he served in the US Navy post-Vietnam in the Pacific Region.
I’m looking forward to learning more about his story, and sharing it with you soon.
Share this post