America has failed soldiers who 'became lost in despair' after 9/11 wars: vet

11 September 2023

Monday, September 11 marks the 22^nd anniversary of the al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The day will include tributes to the thousands of Americans who were killed on 9/11.

In an article published by The Bulwark on U.S. Air Force veteran Will Selber explains why he has "come to despise the public remembrances of 9/11": The U.S., Selber argues, has failed to truly acknowledge the emotional pain vets have suffered because of "the wars that followed."

Selber describes two veterans he knows personally: Alex and Mike.

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Alex, according to Selber, served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and "bounced in and out of rehab" after returning to the U.S. The wars, Selber laments, "filled" Alex "with despair."

Mike, similarly, served in Afghanistan and "became lost in despair, alcohol and drugs" after coming home in 2013.

"One day in his apartment in the midst of a bender," Selber recalls, "(Mike) had a flashback. He pulled out his handgun and started shooting. Luckily, nobody was hurt. But the cops responded. And they surrounded his apartment."

The Air Force veteran continues, "Mike quickly regained his composure. He surrendered without incident, thanks to the professionalism of a police department that wanted to de-escalate a volatile situation."

Selber also describes his own struggles, remembering, "The 1500 days in Iraq and Afghanistan combined with two arduous years juggling command and Afghan evac business drove me to the brink…. When I came home from work, all of the rage, despair, and anger came tumbling out. My wife walked around on eggshells because of my mood swings."

Will Selber's full article for The Bulwark is available at this link.

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