Comment: Iraq and Afghan Vets - reminders of wars not yet won

He's a reminder of the war that wasn't won,
He's the guy on the street with the sign that reads
"Please help send this Vet home"

The above verse is taken from Lou Reed's, Xmas In February, a song about Vietnam Vets.

Those words sprang to mind as I read a report that one in four of the 360,000 discharged veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom, have sought medical help for physical injuries or mental health problems, from the Dept. Of Veterans Affairs.

That's more than 85,000.

These figures are concealed in the depths of a largely back slapping report by John Brown, Director Seamless Transition Office, Department of Veterans Affairs, before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, May 19, 2005.

Back in the 80s, I worked in a homeless men's centre in Brisbane. Many of the residents were Vietnam Vets. At night, many would relive their experiences. Their cries would echo around the vast hollow building - a reminder of a war that wasn't won.

And now, America and the American taxpayer, have 85,000 more reminders - and rising.