Sam Ziemba: Class Reading 3: "Veterans, Healing, and Long- Distance Hiking"

    Chapter 7 of your book, “Veterans, Healing, and Long-Distance Hiking” was very touching and informative. You share a beautiful story about your experience and the experiences of other veterans. It brought great awareness to how many people in the military come home to no one who can share or relate to their experience. I see where this could prompt feelings of isolation or loneliness, even if surrounded by loved ones. Nature acts as comfort and provides an “overwhelming feeling of fullness” (10), something that can fill a void from the lack of understanding from others. 

    I thought the controversy in what you are taught in military service is fascinating and brings awareness to something many people, including myself, hadn’t considered. Often times the words “love” and “kill” are viewed as antonyms, but you bring awareness to their connection through military service and the dissonance and irony in such association. You are showing your love to your country and family by protecting them, but doing so through killing. 

    I think this chapter brings awareness to the traumas of veterans and the healing nature can provide to such. Ecotherapy has proven effective and should be used more commonly in response to PTSD and other mental health issues. 

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