War's true nature lies far from its glamorized portrayal in media and recruitment materials. The reality involves severe physical and psychological trauma that affects soldiers long after combat ends.

Personal accounts from veterans reveal the stark contrast between military pageantry and battlefield reality. A decorated WWII veteran who received numerous honors for his bravery chose to keep his medals hidden, haunted by memories of waiting for death and witnessing fellow soldiers' deaths.

The War on Terror (2003-present) statistics paint a grim picture:

• Over 6,600 soldiers killed, nearly half under age 24
• More than 50,000 injuries, including 16,000 severe cases
• Over 1,600 major limb amputations since 2001
• 349 confirmed or suspected suicides in 2012 alone

War survivors often struggle with lasting trauma, including:

• Recurring nightmares
• Post-traumatic stress reactions
• Difficulty readjusting to civilian life
• Long-term psychological effects

According to biblical prophecy, while wars will intensify before Jesus Christ's return, His reign will ultimately bring lasting peace. Isaiah 2:4 describes this transformation: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."

This future peace stands in stark contrast to war's devastating reality, promising an end to the cycle of violence and suffering that has characterized human history.

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