America's young men came home horribly wounded in mind and spirit at the end of WW 2, more so than was realized or admitted by psychologists, psychiatrists, and military officials. In many cases, they simply dosed themselves with liquor and other alcoholic beverages, keeping the memories at bay that way so they could go to their jobs and earn what was needed to feed and clothe and house their families. A great deal of alcoholism came about among them as a result. Long-term drinkers often black out and do things while out of it that they would never do sober, sometimes to their wives and children. The hordes of runaways of the 1960s came about in large part because of that, but no authorities would admit it, because they didn't want to shame our veterans. And up until the last couple of decades, there were no reliable ways to alleviate the suffering of those veterans with the judicious use of prescription drugs. Men were expected to keep such things to themselves, and liquor was approved of, so . . . Two and three generations have suffered horribly in this country as a result. It's time that all got aired out. It's no shame to be a wounded hero, and to hurt in body and spirit as a result, or to want some way of relieving the pain and healing mind and body. It's about time that was realized. Once we do that, maybe we can start working on what the Cold War did to 2-3 generations of Americans, as well.
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