[blue, looking quite sad, is sitting in a warzone, in military gear]
War…
War is hell…
[blue is now suffering from PTSD, holding their head in anguish]
War is horrible. I was a soldier. It was by far the most horrifying, most traumatizing part of my life
[green, curious, asks blue a question]
Well then maybe we should stop getting involved in wars?
[blue, furious with rage, aggressively pointing at green]
SHUT UP YOU ANTIPATRIOTIC WOKELING YOU ARE TRYING TO RUIN SOCIETY
I think the reason the myth of Vietnam veterans being spit on is so prevalent is because its a way for people who supported the war to avoid responsibility for sending people to be traumatized by a meaningless war.
Fighting an unjust war is like pouring gasoline on the fire of PTSD. World War 2 vets went through hell, but at least they know their sacrifice was, in some sense, worth something. When a soldier is fighting an unpopular war in the service of empire, the psychological burden will be much higher.