Let me give my explanation of something. I may have posted this philosophy before and if I have forgive me because my memory is approaching that of the Turtle's.
You hear many people, particularly family members, complain veterans returning from war will never talk with them about what happen. We don't do it because it is impossible for someone who has not been in war to comprehend what it's like talking about it to someone who can't comprehend does no good to either party.
If you ever observe some veterans talking about their war experiences you will most likely see them laughing and caring on. Why? It's sort of black humor in that you are making lite of dangerous and what at times were really halarious situations even though they may have been life threatening. I guess it's sort of God's way of protecting our psyche and mind from going nuts if the dark side of what went on was dwelled on.
If you ever do run in to someone who goes on about their war experiences, be it in a bar or where ever, in my opinion one of two things exists. First, they were in a war zone and so far in the rear they never heard a shot fired in anger and feel guilty about it and try to embellish in order to not feel inadequate. Or, second, they never were in war, maybe never even in uniform, and want to appear to be a warrior when in reality they are scared of their own shadow.
So, don't feel bad if a veteran doesn't talk to you about their experiences. We don't do it because we believe you wouldn't understand and it would not accomplish anything.
Maybe if I had paid better attention in English classes in high school and college I would have been able to better express the above thoughts to make them more lucid. At least you get an inkling of what my thoughts are on this.
Dee
