According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the percentage of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans experiencing PTSD ranges from a low of 1.4% to a high of 60%. The average is 23%.

"You can't go through these battles without being emotionally scarred for life," Pack said. "But I think what we try to do, which I think isn't done enough, is actually to celebrate what they did in battle, not just make them pathetic figures of, you know, worthy of our sympathy, but understand what they did in battle, their heroism and courage, not just their struggles and difficulties."

Pack argues that Americans should celebrate veterans for their valor, not just their suffering, and he agrees they should be honored not only on Veterans Day but every day of the year.  

"I think we need to understand them. We need to know what it means to be in these kinds of battles. And I think that would make us also more cautious before sending them to war."

It's about understanding the nature of war and the nation's expectations, celebrating and honoring those who have served.

*** PBS stations are broadcasting "The Last 600 Meters" Monday night at 10 ET.  Amazon Prime will stream the documentary on Veterans' Day.