Military recruiters don't always tell all sides

I hope young people think twice before giving into the enticements of military recruiters. There is another side to the military story not mentioned by the recruiters. A certain percentage of young people are killed in one or the other of our foreign wars. Another sizable percentage kill themselves during or after their military service. Many survivors are mentally and/or physically impaired forever.

We are told that this suffering is not in vain. The truth is, it is. Nothing of value has been accomplished in any wars fought by this country since World War II. Tens of thousands of young American lives have been sacrificed for nothing in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Parents, discourage your children if they are considering the military. Wars are of benefit to some in society, but not to the young people who suffer and die in them.

Cole Christy

Cedar Rapids