In case you have never sat down with a veteran and talked about what happens on the battlefield, I want to tell you a secret: War sucks.
Over there…
No one can refute fox holes are nasty business. Yes, they protect from some projectiles and shrapnel, but they are also deadly, nearly inescapable targets.
No one denies the hours stink, the conditions are rotten and the pay non-existent. The training is grueling, the hours bite and a social life is lacking.
Meanwhile, back on the ranch…
The conditions are only better in terms of shelter and creature comforts. In the empty bed where your soldier should lie, fear, longing and loneliness are huddled stealing the blankets.
The masses who would not volunteer for such patriotic jobs toss unappreciative japes, snide remarks and pejorative epithets.
Image by Kordite via Flickr
Until one day…
A yellowed envelope in my hand
from another time, a total other life,
but it seems like only yesterday.
His brown hair was short.
His shirt had a patch: Western Union.
Mother knew why he had come that Thursday.
I held her skirt hem between my fingers,
as her trembling hands fumbled
with her change purse to tip the young man.
Her mouth moved, but no words came out.
He said, “You’re welcome, and ma’am,
I’m sorry.” Mother took my hand.
She slumped against the door. A
tear slid down her cheek and splashed
on the front of her blouse. I did not understand.
Mother stood up tall and tried to smile at me.
She asked me to go to the kitchen
to get her a glass of water to drink.
I stopped, turned and watched
as Mother touched Father’s picture in a silver frame
beside the sofa. He smiled at her, I think.
She stared at the envelope she held at her knees,
so I went to the fridge to pour some water.
I sat beside her and took her hand.
Image via Wikipedia
“Sweetheart, I know how much you love your father,
but I have to tell you something.
Do you know President Truman?”
“Yes, Mother, the President of the United States.”
I could not understand what he had to do
with Father or the young man.
“President Truman sent Father to Korea to be a soldier,
so that we can be free. He sent me this telegram today,
with bad news, I’m afraid.
“Father is not coming home. He was in a battle over there,
and he was killed. That is what
the President’s telegram said.”
Image via Wikipedia
“But Mother, you haven’t opened it.
How do you know?” She tried again to smile and
took me in her arms. “I don’t understand.”
Today my daughter called, “Can I come over, Mom?”
The silence of her tears was loud in her voice;
its timbre very plain.
I put on the coffee and pulled out my treasure chest,
filled with memories, some very sweet,
yet others filled with pain.
Her keys clattered on the kitchen counter
by the back door. The flash of paper in her hand
brought back my image of Mother.
She saw what I had in my hand, too.
“Mom, I can’t open it. I know what it says.”
One tear slid down her cheek, onto her collar.
Mother never opened hers.
I took my daughter’s.
Telegrams never change.
020520071816
If this touched you, please tell me how.
Show gratitude to members of the armed forces.
AnnaBaileyPopejoy
/ November 23, 2011I don’t see war being used as a means to protect our freedoms or our shores, instead I see it as a calculated maneuver by the powers that be (governments and corporations) to gain control over other nations and their resources (oil). The premise of the Iraq war was to remove a vicious dictator for the good of the Iraqi people and the safety of the world rather than for oil. Many countries have dictators at least as bad as Saddam. Where were we when genocide was taking place in Rwanda?
When I see or hear of our wounded, our dead warriors, my soul aches not only for them & their families but it aches for all of mankind. How much longer are we going to continue as a species waging war over resources that should be shared equally by all. How long are we going to give our power to a greedy few.
annmariedwyer
/ November 23, 2011Excellent questions, Anna. My heart aches for the families of all those lost and left behind. We cannot forget about the MIA. We immortalize the KIA on memorials and with headstones, but the MIA just disappear into obscurity.
Do come again, as your refreshing take is always appreciated, my friend.
Red.
Marc Phillippe Babinau
/ November 23, 2011My grandfather died on Citadel Hill in Halifax Harbor. I had an Uncle who went to WWI and WWII, came back home after his 3rd tour on the front lines in Italy and was killed by a drunk taxi driver in front of the Halifax airport (irony or what?!). I have heard of the inhumanity and the humanity of war, of its need and of its repulsion. It is a sad state of social times when war is needed, especially when waged in the name of a God, like the Crusades.
annmariedwyer
/ November 23, 2011Thank you for sharing, Marc. Religious war is a no win situation, regardless of the faiths involved. War builds amazing friendships and tears relationships apart. Condolences for your losses, Red.
bear
/ November 23, 2011I for one have never had the loss of a loved one in battle although my grandfather passed away from injuries sustained in wwI some years later.the thought of losing a loved one is almost unbearable. I have a son going into the army this year and it terrifies me to think that he will be sent to the middle east where there are no rules of war or rules of engagement. i pray for all the men and women of our armed forces that they make it home in one piece.But in reality some where someone will get………… IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET….. GOD BLESS OUR SOLDIERS!
annmariedwyer
/ November 23, 2011Bear, I hope your son stays safe. The fear of parents is they will lose their children who go to war. Many parents do. Others rejoice when their children return from war, even when there are emotional scars to handle. Peace for you and your family, Red.
Raymond Alexander Kukkee
/ November 24, 2011War happens because no other solution is possible, or that is what politicians would have us believe. War sucks, no doubt about it.
War is the ultimate admission and declaration of humanity’s collective failure to reason.
Such is humanity’s destiny without mandatory global resolution of -social-political problems.
Eye Floaters
/ November 27, 2011How we tret our veterans is aweful. They gave their lives for our country and deserve to be treated like royalty. Thank you!
annmariedwyer
/ November 27, 2011I agree. It would be so much better if everyone thanked and revered veterans for their service and withheld the vitriol for the politicians who put them in the position. Thank you for stopping by to comment. Red.
adollyciousirony
/ December 30, 2011ohhh, I just got tears in my eyes… I wish there were no more wars.
Thanks for sharing this. I had an uncle who was a U.S. Army too. The good thing is that America took care of the family of those who served the American Forces so that I have relatives living in America and became American citizens and my grandparents had their monthly pension until they died from old age.
Thanks for sharing this to us Red.
Red
/ December 30, 2011You are very welcome. Veterans have a very special place in my heart. They do so much for people they will never meet. I am glad your uncle served and your grandparents were granted citizenship.
{HUGZ}
Red.
Rachael Black
/ January 17, 2012Amazing Red. This touched me and I teared up. It is too bad that our politicians can’t keep this piece framed on their desks in Washington.
I was a Navy brat, and have always honored those who are willing, or in many cases in our past conscripted, to fight.
A fight for us to live here. Too many people forget that the last time America was attacked by a foreign power on our own shores was in 1812.
Can you think of any other country that has been so fortunate? And blessed by the soldiers and families who love them?
Canada doesn’t count… they’re too polite to anger anyone -grin-.
Just a lovely piece. Thank you Red.
Red
/ January 17, 2012We have military in every generation in our family old enough to serve. I look upon veterans with humility and gratitude. They sacrifice what many are not willing.
I find it disturbing December 7th and November 11 both pass without notice. Too few people understand the meaning of May 31, beyond beer and BBQ, because they care too drunk to sound or spell it out. Certainly, there are few countries with as many opportunities to honor. Fewer still who blatantly choose to ignore such opportunities.
I am humbled by your praise.
Red.
Androgoth
/ January 17, 2012A very good posting Red…
I have read every comment and reply that has been offered and I can see that this subject matter will be Red Hot… I think perhaps that your coffee pot will need filling to the maximum for this debate my great friend 🙂
Androgoth XXx
Red
/ January 17, 2012Andro,
You are so very correct. I have a pot I am finishing at the moment, in advance of the double I shall make before 2000. I am away from home, so do not have anything to doctor it with…Shame.
Hope to see you on the post, my dear friend,
Red.