Returning home...

Here are two articles that talk about the difficulties faced by soldiers who come home from the war. You can choose either one to write about in your response!

MN Guard helps Iraq Vets Leave Soldier Life behind:
http://www.dma.state.mn.us/press_room/e-zine/articles/index.php?item=1010
This is an article about a program to help soldiers ease into their return from the war. There comes a point in which soldiers are no longer familiar with civilian life and they need that extra support to make the transition. The Minnesota National Guard is trying to provide that service...

For Veterans Returning Home:
http://www.jmu.edu/counselingctr/Resources/veterans.html
James Madison University has a very helpful guide on their Counseling Center website about the transition that soldiers must make. It talks about the common feelings towards their life at war in comparison to that from at home.

Take the time to analyze these articles in relation to the novel, All Quiet on the Western Front. Here are some GUIDING questions (note: do more than just answer these questions).

1. How might these kinds of programs/articles help Paul and his fellow soldier?
2. Why does not every soldier participate in helpful programs like these?
3. Having read this article, what would you do and say to help prepare a veteran returning to civilian life?

Look at the pictures taken of German soldiers during World War I. Study them and respond to all the following questions in detail.

What do you think of when you look at these pictures?

How do these photos relate to situations and events in the story we are reading? Be sure to choose at least three or four scenes from the novel we have read so far and describe them in relation to the pictures.