Disabled Vet Explains Why You Don't Ask Stupid Shi* - PTSD "Invisible Wounds"

By Elizabeth Nelson

This is another reason why American Sniper was a great movie, not a pro- or anti-war movie, but a veteran movie, showing us what our veterans go through when they go to war and the war they bring home with them.  

This is why stupid ass liberals like Michael Moore, who mindlessly bash these men who serve us and our Country, as they did our Vietnam vets, set my teeth on end, which is why this Disabled Vet's response to a mindless, insensitive bagger's question, "what's wrong with you, you have all your limbs," after he noticed the vet's Disabled Veterans National Foundation beanie.

Unfortunately, there are still people in this world who have limited knowledge about the debilitating issues faced by those who risk their lives to protect our country. YouTuber Melanie Fay posted the video of this veteran reading his gripping poem, in response to the grocery store bagger's question.

Instead of taking his anguish out on the bagger, this disabled veteran calmly left and responded with a profoundly spoken-word recorded message. What an intense insight into a veteran's world too.

Our veterans often face horrors on the battlefield that most Americans will thankfully never see, and many of them will continue to deal with “invisible wounds” for the rest of their lives.  This veteran shares his scars with his words, and in his obvious anger and frustration, reminds us that not all lasting pain can be seen with the naked eye.

Growing up in a household run by a fireman, that went to battle house fires and pulled bodies and babies from car crashes, I learned quickly that we never asked daddy, "what did you do at work this week, daddy?"  IF he pulled a child's or a teen's body from a car, I was sure to get a call, just so he could hear my voice, but I knew not to ask him what happened, only to tell him, "I'm okay, daddy, I love you."  I also hurt inside, knowing he'd take the memory of that shattered, lifeless body with him and the guilt and anger that he couldn't give that family their child back.

We knew, if daddy was going to share, he willingly shared. Otherwise he carried the victories and the deaths with him silently, as do these heroes that sacrifice to keep us safe every day.  So, the next time you see a veteran, don't ask stupid questions, just say "thank you."

Don't remain in the dark any longer, learn more about PTSD here