LOMETA, Texas — The United States was not yet at war when Emm Matous barely agreed to host this going-away party for her son.

Since serving in Iraq, even small crowds bothered her, which was why she lived on a middle-of-nowhere ranch with a chore list that included shooting rattlesnakes. The combat veteran, 41, also dreaded crying in front of anyone, especially her baby boy, who was still her baby boy, despite being 18 years old, 6-foot-5, and newly married.