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by Walter Jones (Age: 67)
copyright 09-29-2003


Age Rating: 13 +

Sunday sleep evades me again. Moaning toad, nail him with my bayonet, one less sound to keep my eyes open. Hear the crying again, claymore went off last night, he or she are dying a slow death in a tunnel someplace. How can the sun look so grand in this hellhole? Three days left, I get to go home. I wonder what is there. Rudy has one semester left he will be a teacher; Jim is on traveling league with the Navy. Electrical engineer, what a waste. Damn they got some kid trying to turn a claymore, this one is smart enough to run. “You should have killed him, he will be back to slit your throat.” “I will be gone, he will be your worry, if he comes back.” Laundry detail, sure I drive the truck into Long Bin, get my physical and be headed home.

“You got anything wrong with you? What about that scar on your collar bone”, “I am great, no complaints, just sign so I can get out of here.”

“Stewardess, can I get you anything?” “How about a drink, I’ll trade this medal.” “That’s ok its on me, keep the medal, I don’t want it.”

Sergeant, “Your not out yet, police up this area” smile and gesture. Flop down on bunk,
Name called, line for problems, line for leaving. Buy ticket home, listen to some hippies calling me a baby killer, drop duffle bag, pick him up by his shirt, he pees his pants.

MP grabs me and reminds me that what I had in mind was not a good idea.

I get off the plane, everybody is working, and I catch a cab home. The little boy has changed into a young man, but he is not a pretty sight to see. He has been trained to kill and not much more.

Room has not changed since I left, mom left dinner in oven for me. I am home, now what?






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        04-06-2012     Alan Reed        

trade the front lawn for the front line -life of hell - house has not grown - boy has----frag the weed eater

        11-11-2008     Susan Brown        

I know many people from the Vietnam era who remain forever changed from their experiences. During those years (grade school) I remember wearing a P.O.W. bracelet on my wrist. That man didn't return when the others stepped off of those incoming planes that year. I continue to honor him in memory. My son, came home from Iraq the same weekend our hometown hero- Our treasured family friend "Tom Tucker" returned, in pieces. My son had been in Kosovo before Iraq. I thought he would retire in the military. He was away for eight years. He like many of our Veterans continues to have a hard time making close connections and carries much of his time "given" in service to our country around in his personal life- Proudly, I should add. His wristbands... in a much more personal way than mine.

Thanks to all our Vets we are able to call ourselves free. One nation under God no matter who you vote for or who you choose to call... God. Everyday is Veterans Day to me. It's like Sunday. Why wait to celebrate it when we are lucky enough to live it.
For everything Walt,
Thanks...!
Susan

        02-04-2005     Anthony Lane Stahlhut        

Walter your story has a good lesson. We always hate the wrong people. The fighting men and women are there because our government sent him or her. They do a job that they have been trained to do. There should be a training period after they come back to teach them how to return to normal life! The soldier only fights for their country and I believe that they should be honored for their commitment to our country and freedom! Thanks, Anthony



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