The Real Victims of War are Those Who 'Survive'

   Going to war can be the right thing to do, and a good thing to do. But war, itself, is never good. It decimates. It mutilates. And, not just the bodies of men, but their souls.
   The victim of war is not just the man who dies -- not just the one who is killed. No, in war, the victim is not just the one left bleeding on the battlefield, but the one whose spirit is left to bleed for a lifetime.
   Ask yourself who can survive it, for those who survive in the flesh often do not survive in spirit. The souls of the soldiers are ravaged by this affliction called war. And, the hearts of nations are seared, as well.
   Consider, then, on war. Consider on its casualties. Consider on them, even before it starts. Consider on what it does to the hearts of men. It sets hatred even in the hearts of good people. Even when the cause is just, and noble, it can spawn a hatred of others that the rightful warrior would be better off without.
  Warriors, beware.
   The turning of a heart to hatred, is bad enough. Often, though, it doesn't stop there. I think of my days on a sheep farm, and of my dad taking one of  our dogs down to the pond, and regretfully having to drown him. My best buddy got the taste of blood in its mouth, so to speak, and became a danger to the sheep.
    I think of the number of times these mass shootings have come at the hands of military veterans. Coincidence, you say? I think not. Rather, I think to cry.
   Bless these veterans. Many of them seem to come through unscathed. Perhaps many of their spirits do survive. But, how completely? Even if their spirits survive uncankered, do they survive untouched? Can one see bullets rip though the chest of a bunker mate without being haunted for life?
  Few spirits are spared when it comes to war.
  No, war is not a good thing. Those who win sometimes lose their souls. If they let it canker them, it will. Search among the soldiers for a man who doesn't hate, and you will have found the good soldier. There may be many. Yes, I imagine there are. Bless them, for what they have gone through does have the power to canker. You can't be placed on a easel without fear the painter will come.
  No, bringing death upon others is never good. He who hails it has not survived. And, he who relishes it has been destroyed.