Scars of War

There ain't no substitute for the truth
Either it is or isn't
(Cause he is the truth)
You see the truth it needs no proof
Either it is or it isn't
--The Truth, India Arie
__________

Ranger wants this post under the heading, "Blowing smoke up our asses and calling it sunshine."

People ran the story big last year. This time, just a blurb. Ty Ziegel is getting divorced, less than a year after his marriage.

Ziegel, 25, is the USMC Sergeant who was seriously injured while serving his second tour in Iraq in 2004.

Following a suicide attack, Sgt. Ziegel lost his left forearm and of three fingers of his right hand, was left blind in his right eye and sustained widespread severe burns that led to the loss of his ears and much of the tissue on his face. His shattered skull was replaced by a plastic dome, and his disfigured face was constructed from scratch with salvaged tissue, holes left where his ears and nose had been.

Ziegel and his sweetheart, Renee, were much feted by the press. Even Oprah gave her imprimatur November of '06. It was the feel good story of the year -- the Triumph of Love, as Times Online hailed it.

But this is no feel good story, and the terrified and remote look on the bride's face told all. As the photographer, Nina Berman, said, "It's a standard wedding photograph, but something's different. The war is affecting our rituals, our daily rituals. Look around."

High divorce rates for combat vets is not news, but what is especially disquieting about this story is the way in which the media molded it as proof that everything is going to be alright. Almost all of the fraternal military magazines hopped aboard, running standard copy on the victory of love. Propaganda a la pretty Jessica Lynch, the Barbie who went down fighting to her last cartridge. Not.

Now the reality divorce is biting Ty Ziegel on his ass, and none of the fraternal organizations are doing a follow up. That is left for page 92 of 12/17/07 People. Pity to run it so close to Christmas. These trains don't always run on time though.

Sgt. Ty Ziegel has outlived his propaganda value to the war propagating elements of our grateful nation. He proves yet another failure for this war enterprise.

Girls may "Like A Boy," until he is no longer GQ material following a bomb blast, that is.

Ranger wishes a happy life to Ty. He deserves it.