At 51, I’m in a different situation than this guy was, but I can only hope I’d behave half as well. I cannot imagine what it would be like to spend the rest of my life rationalizing cowardice to myself.
As a military brat who spent 25 years in myself, the duty of the military is to win. Coming home is obviously highly desirable, but not always required. My Dad was 49 when he was killed in Vietnam, and I was 49 when I went to Afghanistan on my last deployment. I’m glad I came back, but hope I didn’t allow it to affect any decisions I made...although as a bifocal wearing O-5, I wasn’t able to get off the FOB much.
Thank you for your and your family’s service.