Review: "Invisible Front: Love and Loss in an Era of Endless War" by Yochi Dreazen

This a powerful, forceful true story of Mark and Carol Graham and the loss of their two sons. Mark is a decorated major general and his wife, Carol is a former school teacher. Their family consists of two boys, Jeff and Kevin, and a girl, Melanie. They are close knit, made closer because Mark is a career officer and they follow him around the world. Both of his sons aspire be like their father and join the military. The family appears well balanced but Kevin harbors a dark secret which comes to light when he enters college and is in the ROTC. He is depressed and has a drinking problem. He seeks help and begins taking antidepressants but he knows that if his commanding officer finds out, he will be dismissed from the military. Not knowing where to turn, he commits suicide. Eight months later, Jeff is killed in combat while serving in Iraq. Jeff is hailed as a hero but Kevin’s death is largely ignored. This story documents the Grahams’ fight to educate people on the growing problem of suicide in all branches of the armed services.

Mr. Dreazen has written this story from numerous interviews and journals from family members who are involved in each of the tragic instances outlined in the book. He documents the Grahams’ grief and their struggle to bring light to the growing suicide epidemic and the stigmatism that is attached to it in the armed forces. This is a difficult story but using this method, he presents the facts in such a way that you want to keep reading. The information offered is educational and is something that was little known to the general public until recent years.

I highly recommend this book, although it is heartbreaking to read!! Suicide is running rampant through the armed forces and the public needs to become more informed about this serious threat to the men and women who lay down their lives every day for our freedom.

This book was requested and reviewed for Blogging for Books