Why We Can't Afford to Be in War

This weekend, I went to an anti-war protest with my boyfriend.

My boyfriend was in the U.S. Marine Corp and got injured by a suicide bomber. Every day, his legs pain him, and he can't hear out of his right ear.

Nevertheless, he doesn't let those stop him. I didn't even know about this when we first met because he can run, walk, and bike like any of us, and even better than most of us. What I did learn though, as we started going out, is that his legs have chronic pain, and he is not able to stand for long periods of time. It pains me when I see him in so great pain everyday, and that war has given him this burden that could be avoided.

Yesterday, he was interviewed by NBC. To my disappointment though expected because war is not a popular topic right now, the media did not choose to air his interview, when this is such a critical issue. Many people are dying because of wars. Veterans come back scarred for life with images of war. I wish I brought my own camera and videotaped his interview, but I will try to tell you why he says we can't be in war. I know I don't do it justice, but I will try:

Many people go to war not knowing what they are getting into. Some do it because they want to serve their country. Some are pulled in because they have no other way to escape the pressures of life; for example, many people have no other choice but to go to war because of their financial situation. Once they get there, it is nothing like what they have been told. People are getting injured and dying. Millions of dollars are being spent on equipment that are unnecessary and can be destructive.

Instead of war, we can advocate for peace by investing in education. Following George Mortenson's model in Three Cups of Tea, the way to root out terrorism is by making education more accessible in those countries so that the people are able to rise up and not be pulled into groups they don't want to get into.

His visible scars around his body are a reminder to us of the costs and destruction of war. Seeing the scars, he can't stand another person to go through the same pain and scars for life, and this is why he is calling us to action to stop the war.

I am very proud of him, and love him very much. He has a big heart, and is very caring.