I would've said...

   In "Speaking of Courage" from The Things They Carried the very emotional description of Norman Bowker's experience after returning home is given.  I found this depiction to be extremely sad and disturbing.  After serving in the treacherous environment and conditions of Vietnam, Bowker returns to his quaint American town to find that his story will go unheard.  I feel that many soldiers are forgotten once they return.  We sympathize with them while their miles away fighting, however when they return everyday citizens seem to disregard the battle the soldiers are still facing.  This was true for Norman Bowker.  He seemed to want to tell his story and express the guilt he felt for not having enough "courage".  He explains what he "would've said" or "would've done" if he had told his story however this reflecting tense suggests that it is too late.  I feel that one can learn from this section that when a soldier feels ready to talk about his or her experiences we must all be ready and willing to listen.  Something as simple as listening to a soldier ramble about the jokes they made during the war can help them to feel cared for and appreciated.  This appreciation can help soldiers cope with the grief, guilt, distress, and pain that follow them home from war.  In Bowker's case it seems that his story was never told because he was pushed to the point of taking his own life.  This cannot happen.  Soldiers risk their lives every day to protect us citizens, I feel the least we can do is listen to their stories and take a few minutes out of our hectic lives to appreciate the work they do and the emotional and physical sacrifices they make.