"However, our veterans should not be gawked at in an attempt by a mother to dissuade her kids from signing up."
I understand your issues with Abby and what you believe was her intent. Still, the advice was sound. Her advice again...
"Contact your nearest veterans hospital and inquire about you and your children paying some visits and volunteering to help wounded vets."
Sounds good to me.
How about sending kids to a hospital to gawk at those recovering from car accidents when asking if they can "have the keys" this weekend.
It is good, till you get to the next sentence: "It may be a sobering experience, but it should open their eyes in no time flat." Given that the kids are enthusiastic about enlisting, that phrase "open their eyes" leaves no question about where Hag Van Buren is coming from. Still, as other posters have suggested, we can hope the kids will learn things at the hospital that they doubtless never did at home, and that their desire to serve their country will be fulfilled -- especially if they can talk to the vets alone, without Cleveland Mom at their elbow.
Well, if the objective is to fully explore the military as a career option, then it would ALSO be useful to visit an American Legion post filled with proud veterans who realize what they fought for in previous wars. It would be valuable to talk to retired and active military who have made an impact in society. In my area we have some Viet Namese veteran soldiers who march in our Veteran's day parade, perhaps it would be useful to learn what freedom means to them in contrast to how their compatriots live in Viet Nam today.
Its all good advice, too bad Dear Abbey couldn't think of anything but wounded veterans.