The Iraq War formally ended yesterday today (whoops… was thinking this was Friday. Confused).
Of course it’s probably not that simple (it never is), but it is a moment and an announcement that needs commemorating.
At the peak, there were 177,000 US troops in Iraq based out of 505 military bases. According to reports, there are 4,000 left, and they will coming home soon.
(An image of soldiers at a ceremony for the end of the Iraq War, by way of gothamist.com)
…And the needs of those families collaterally affected by their loved ones’ PTSD, depression, repressed anger, substance abuse and anxiety.
It isn’t difficult to imagine the sheer volume of need this represents, especially in an already depressed economy where so many soldiers will face joblessness and even homelessness in their immediate families.
This is not a time to get the mental healthcare equation wrong in Vermont; and efficiencies cannot be the highest priority.
Anyone who thinks the worst problem we will be facing in the future is slow growth due to exiting young people has another think coming.