By Joseph William Rucker Jr., MD I did not want to go into the Army, and I sure didn't choose Walter Reed. In the fall of 1968, with the war in Continue Reading
Veterans
The Wounds That Follow Them Home
By Emily Ireland Editor’s note: In-text citations have been removed to align with The Havok Journal’s formatting. Full references remain listed at Continue Reading
What Veterans Can Do With Guilt, Shame After War
By Britta Reque-Dragicevic This first appeared in Britta's blog, "Life After War" and is republished with the author's permission. You’re not Continue Reading
What Will My Death Be?
I wonder if I will meet my death in old age, a small gathering of stalwarts at my funeral. Will it be a tragic accident along the way, leaving Continue Reading
Accountability Is the VA’s Rarest Preexisting Condition
America has reached that invigorating stage of institutional failure when somebody suggests abolishing the Department of Veterans Affairs, because Continue Reading
Hard to Explain
By Benjamin Davis Where the Longs Peak Trail crosses the creek and turns right toward Battle Mountain, I stopped and let him catch up. I could no Continue Reading
When You Don’t Have Answers
By Britta Reque-Dragicevic This first appeared in Britta's blog, "Life After War" and is republished with the author's permission. We put a lot Continue Reading
Tin Burdens
It is hard for me to admit the truth. That the weight became too much. The obligation of trying to focus on so many names every day. How so many Continue Reading
The VA’s Secret Staffing Plan Is Your Family
America has 14.3 million military and veteran caregivers. RAND estimates that their largely uncompensated labor produces between $119 billion and $485 Continue Reading
Why Veterans Need to be Allowed to Grieve
By Britta Reque-Dragicevic This first appeared in Britta's blog, "Life After War" and is republished with the author's Continue Reading
I Was Just Doing My Job
Author’s note: This reflection was inspired by Sarah Barbo Nielsen’s essay, “Yes, I Served in Iraq. But What if People Mistake Me for a Hero?” Continue Reading
You Have Chosen the State Over Christ
Don Timmerman died of cancer on July 19. He spent almost all of his adult life advocating for peace and justice. I am tempted to say that he was Continue Reading