The above link helps us to understand the unusual nature of this tragic event and what may be in the mind of a person who has the potential to act out in this terrible way. The big question to be answered, as the facts unfold, is what we can learn from how a person’s mind and soul are impacted by the traumatic events of war. Extended combat duty has many risks, especially the invisible wounds that may not be detected soon enough. But in close to 100% of the cases, combat veterans never act out in violent ways on each other or friendly civilians, especially children. We have to remind ourselves of the much larger picture of soldiers who perform at their very best as professionals in a compassionate humane and rational manner. This incident does serve as a reminder that we have been at war far too long in Afghanistan. Multiple deployments should be looked at very seriously as potentially too risky on a person’s emotional disposition and prospects for a healthy, happy, and productive post war civilian life.
Steve Sparks
Author
Reconciliation: A Son’s Story
“Sneaky” The Colorado River Toad…
AKA Sonoran Desert Toad https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_River_toad "The Colorado River Toad (Incilius alvarius), also known as the Sonoran Desert toad, is...
