by Guest9999 » Sun Nov 28, 2021 3:09 am
hristoskoff,
Now I have read it. Liked it very much!
I've spent a bit of time in war zones and post-conflict situations, but never served in the military myself, so I'm not qualified to comment on the help returning soldiers receive on reintegration once they return home. Your mistreatment is indeed unfortunate, but I am glad you have taken matters into your own hands, and I wish you luck with your association. Especially happy you have taken pains to keep the scope of your organization broad, so it includes not only UNTAC veterans, but also more recent returnees. It is good work.
(I said I'm not entitled to comment, but I watch movies, so here is my two-bits.)
Hollywood gets much wrong, but at least some of what it reveals about the reality of returning US veterans is most likely true. All countries, as often as not, deserve a failing grade with helping vets. Sometimes it is lack of money, sometimes lack of continuing interest, but even when these two elements are there, it sometimes fails just because it is a hard problem: each returning vet is
unique and programs that work great for some/most, fail badly with others. I think groups of vets (hopefully with some support from the state) are very often the best way to help. Outside observers like me can't connect on the level you can. Keep it up.
About UNTAC, it was great to hear a Bulgarian perspective. As well as hearing more from you, I'd like to hear some from street-level Japanese. The later 90's had some fantastic Japanese photographers in Cambodia, maybe some Japanese journalists have reflected somewhere on their UNTAC experiences. Has anyone seen anything?
hristoskoff,
Now I have read it. Liked it very much!
I've spent a bit of time in war zones and post-conflict situations, but never served in the military myself, so I'm not qualified to comment on the help returning soldiers receive on reintegration once they return home. Your mistreatment is indeed unfortunate, but I am glad you have taken matters into your own hands, and I wish you luck with your association. Especially happy you have taken pains to keep the scope of your organization broad, so it includes not only UNTAC veterans, but also more recent returnees. It is good work.
(I said I'm not entitled to comment, but I watch movies, so here is my two-bits.)
Hollywood gets much wrong, but at least some of what it reveals about the reality of returning US veterans is most likely true. All countries, as often as not, deserve a failing grade with helping vets. Sometimes it is lack of money, sometimes lack of continuing interest, but even when these two elements are there, it sometimes fails just because it is a hard problem: each returning vet is
unique and programs that work great for some/most, fail badly with others. I think groups of vets (hopefully with some support from the state) are very often the best way to help. Outside observers like me can't connect on the level you can. Keep it up.
About UNTAC, it was great to hear a Bulgarian perspective. As well as hearing more from you, I'd like to hear some from street-level Japanese. The later 90's had some fantastic Japanese photographers in Cambodia, maybe some Japanese journalists have reflected somewhere on their UNTAC experiences. Has anyone seen anything?