We Are Unconquered

Ioana Moldovan, one of the best photojournalists in Romania, made a story about the Romanians participating in the Invictus Games, a global competition for wounded military personnel, that is taking place in Toronto between 23 and 30 September.

Romania is nothing like the United States when it comes to how we deal with soldiers returned from battle. Maybe a few television channels bring them in to parade them around as national heroes, but there’s no going to the therapist or talking about your experience in the war as a traumatic one. In fact, investigations made by a Romanian newspaper in 2013 and 2016 show that there zero cases of post-traumatic stress syndrome in our army.

And that’s when talking only about soldiers, but add “wounded in battle” to the equation — meaning some of them are suffering from physical disabilities — and you’ll get double the stigma and the isolation from society in Romania.

So to find out the stories of these men - from how they grew up, how they chose to go in the military, what their family life is, how they got injured and how they got back on their feet - is not only a way to thank them, but it’s a necessity for our country, that is, unfortunately, so quick to do away with those considered weak.