This Veterans Day might be particularly hard for many who served in the Afghanistan war. The conflict ended in defeat, and the failures and doubts will resonate for generations.
"It is perfectly understandable for those who served in Afghanistan to wonder on this Veterans Day: Was it worth the lives of 2,352 U.S. service members and the wounding of nearly 21,000 more?" writes Max Boot.
The reality is that all wars are painful and traumatic — and difficult questions always linger.
"We like to imagine that when U.S. troops go into battle, the inevitable result is total victory, but reality has always been messier," Boot writes.
There will be time to judge the many decisions and mistakes that led to defeat, but Boot emphasizes that "none of those failures should detract from the heroism and dedication of the ordinary Americans who served on the front lines."
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