 How did the gloomy outcome of World War III in the article foreshadow the rest of the main character's story?
HOMECOMING BY MIGUEL HIDALGO What lasts forever? Not even forever [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, April 1958. They had no place in the dust-caked, tired body, yet there they were, seeking, always seeking—searching the clear horizon, and never seeming to find what they sought. They were nearing a river; the water would be welcome on tired bodies and dry throats. Then both man and horse plunged headlong into the waiting torrent, deep into the cool embrace of the clear liquid. They soaked it into their pores and drank deeply of it, feeling life going once more through their veins. Refreshed and momentarily content, he sat staring into the dying fire, seeing the bright glowing coals as living fingers clutching at the wood in consuming embrace, taking all and returning nothing but ashes. Images began to appear, drawn from inexhaustible files, wherein are kept all thoughts, past, present, and future.... World War III had been declared, and he had enlisted, receiving his old rank of captain. He held her very close, feeling the warmth from her body flowing into his and making him oblivious to everything except that she was there in his arms and that he was sinking deep, deep into a familiar sea, where he had been many times before but each time found something new and unexplored, some vastly different emotion he could never quite explain. It caught the shadows of the fire and reflected them, greatly magnified, over the room. When he opened it, he found a picture of her in one side, and in the other a picture of the children. Then he kissed her, and instantly was drawn down into the abyss which seemed to have no beginning or any end. Three days later they had landed in Spain, merged with another division, then crossed the Pyrenees into France, and finally to Paris where the fighting had begun. Already the city was a silent graveyard, littered with the rubble of towers and cathedrals which had once been great. The Russians had not yet used the H-bomb; the threat of annihilation by the retaliation forces had been too great. The very feel of the word was everything a battle-weary soldier needed to make him fight harder and live longer. But the planes had passed over, the sun glinting on their bellies, reflecting a blinding light. They were bound for bigger, more important targets. When the all-clear had sounded, the men clambered from their shelters.
 The main character would continue to suffer loss.
 The main character would still find ways to motivate himself regardless of what he faced.  The main character would continue to realize how superficial the world is.  The main character would continue to suffer loss.  The main character would succumb to every failure.