My name is Eric Chan and in the class "Violence in Art and Culture" we are currently reading May Day, a short story by Scott F. Fitzgerald written about the May Day Riots of 1919. 

The discussion in class regarding Key and Rose, the "triumphant" soldiers returning home, struck a personal note in that in mirrored many of the thoughts I had at the conclusion of my military service. Like Key and Rose, at the conclusion of my service I was uneasy and unsure of what to do, having become used to the structure and regimented lifestyle of the military. Much like Key and Rose, after the initial fanfare of returning home I was faced with a bleak reality check. Also accurate was the great deal of pride false bravado many veterans feel upon leaving the service, making it difficult to seek help in adjusting to civilian life. 

Fitzgerald also expresses the opinion that those that serve in the military are "inferior" and that under different circumstances they would have ended up in jail. I disagree with this broad generalization. While serving I met a a large variety of people from all walks of life who joined a different reasons. What I did observe however was that a large number of those I met joined for economic reasons as the military guarantees at the very least, a steady paycheck.