Ukraine War: Remember Johnny and the Real Cost of War

War is more than headlines, strategical debates, and political talking points. Behind every decision, every escalation, and every opinion voiced from the safety of a living room, there is a cost. It is a cost paid not by the policymakers but by young men and women like “Johnny.”

I remember visiting Walter Reed during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Red Cross had given my book, The Ladder UPP, to a young Marine who had lost both legs and an arm. They were fighting to save what little was left—just a few fingers on his remaining hand. His parents came to see him, horrified, overwhelmed, and angry. In that moment, their son, broken and drugged, lunged at them in pain and rage.

That is war. Not just numbers. Not just “support” or “oppose.” It’s real people. It’s sons and daughters. It’s families torn apart.

So when we talk about conflicts like the war in Ukraine—or any war—we must remember that the Johnnys of the world have more in common with each other than the leaders who send them. Ukrainian Johnny, Russian Johnny, American Johnny—if they met on a basketball court, they’d likely laugh, play, and be friends. But politics and power turn them into enemies.

If you believe war is worth fighting, then at least demand clarity: no half measures, no prolonging misery. If you believe it isn’t, then say so, and make your voice heard.

Because war isn’t abstract. It’s not a game. It’s lives destroyed, dreams lost, and futures cut short. Johnny is not a prop. He is a human being with an amazing life—if we let him live it.

The challenge for all of us: to stay calm, speak with reason, and focus on the people right in front of us. Be empowered. Use your voice. Remember Johnny.