Shadows of war
Shadows of war
A Story by Coyote Poetry
War can catch even the cold in heart.
A year later. Wife told me she called the mother of my friend. We were going to their house and they would take us to the grave of my friend. They invited me to meet the family and wanted to meet me. I drove the sixty miles in silence. I had no idea what was going to happen?
We arrived at the parent house. Three of the brother and sisters were there to meet me.I hugged each of them and thank them for the invite. They told me. They were glad to meet a friend of their brother. I hug the mother and shook the father hand. He apologizes for the hard way he told me of his son death. I told him. I appreciate the invite. The mother took me to a display. It had my friends picture and all his decorations and metals. I started to cry. The mother came to me and we cried together. We served 12 years together and the moment at display I realized he was dead.
We sat in the living room. I told them stories of their son. I told them. Their son was my daughter first babysitter. My wife wanted to go out. He volunteers. We dropped my daughter off. She was happy with the two daughters to entertain her. I told my friend. If any problems. Leave the light on. We will pick her up that night. At 2.30 am we drove by and all the lights were on. My friend was holding my yelling daughter with a smile and happiness we shown up. We were training at Fort Irvin, California. Three young black Soldiers couldn’t put the stake in the hard desert sand. My friend bet he could put the 24 inch stake in with one hit. They took the $5.00 bet. In one swing of the large jack hammer he put the stake 18 inches into the ground. I would tell them I could. I miss his smile and him forcing me to watch the rodeo and WWF.
They told me he got marry three years ago. He met a good woman who made him happy. He had a good life at the end. They told me they were glad that their son had a good friend. I told them. He had many good friends. His oldest brother gave me some photos. The photos were of a painted fence. Written on the fence was. “Freedom isn’t free. Some have given all for freedom.”
I follow the parent to the graveyard. It was a small town. They had a place for Soldiers lost to war. The mother walked with me to the grave. The grave had flowers from his daughter and his wife. I went and touched the grave. I begin to cried. The mother came to me and held me like a child. She told me. My son would appreciate you coming today. She left me alone. I made a silence promise to help his daughters. I looked up and I saw tears in the father’s eyes.
The mother gave me some shells from the 21 gun salute and a DVD of the funeral. I drive home in silence. I put the DVD in. My friend was a volunteer firefighter. The fireman, Soldiers and whole town were at the funeral at the high school. The whole town came out to say goodbye to a hero. A thousand people cried tears for my friend. His daughter read a poem. Brought the honor guard soldiers to tears.
I accepted losing my good friend that day. I had to say goodbye. I learn when they announce a Soldier death on TV. People are learning sadness and regret. I’m thankful for my friend’s parent and my wise wife. I had to face my friend for the last time and say goodbye.
Today I want to return to my friend grave and thank him for his friendship. I want to bring his favorite beer “Miller”. Sit and drink the beer with him and talk with him alone. Tell him save a seat for me. Us old Soldiers need to sit and talk. I want to hear his laughter and see his smile again.
I was very much moved by your story John, although I never joined the army myself here in the UK (although I nearly enlisted), many of my friends are ex soldiers and much of my own family had fought in the first and second world wars. So I have the highest respect and admiration for any soldier and all the ordeals and risks, sadness and heartbreak they undergo in the line of duty.
My own grandfather who fought in the tank regiment in WW2, had many years (I was told) of readjusting to life, after losing his best friend in battle, and seeing sights that disturbed him greatly.
I can relate about the theme of loss John, as your friend was indeed a brother, in everyway but blood.
I lost my own brother, though sadly not in the same situation, but through drug addiction, however my reaction to life was also to withdraw, which I did for many years.
One notion that wouldn’t leave my mind was that “we don’t go through all this stuff in our lives without any of it having some important meaning”, so you surviving John, means we get to see the real picture of a soldiers life, the real human story which teaches us something about all of us in the process.
Thank you for sharing this story John, and know that there’s going to be other good people you will meet on the road of life, some ex soldiers and some not, but we are all brothers of life,
.
.
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I agree. All of us are brother an sisters in the end. The world is getting smaller. We must tried to get along. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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What a moving story. You are a true soldier, even in the time of peace, you went through your experience with your friend very deeply and survived with dignity and love. I was also touched about how grateful you are to your wife. You are a good person!
Thank you so much for sharing your friendship story. You can’t even imagine what it means to me. I’m about to lose a friend nit to death but because I need to move far. This is the best friend I could ever dream of, she shared so much, good and bad, in the past four years. Now what? I will learn to cherish the past and be grateful about this friendship that will become long-distance because of your story.
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We can keep in touch if possible. Distance mean little to real friendship. Thank you for the kind words and reading. I do appreciate.
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He was fortunate to have such a friend as you.
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I was lucky to have him as a friends. We have few real friends who are willing pick you up and fix your car at 2 am in the morning. This define a real friend. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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Forgive me and let me amend the statement. You were both fortunate to find each other.
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I appreciate the kind words. War took from many families over the years. I hope one day soon. Our children won’t have to have concern for war and violence. It is a scary world for our kids.
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I do understand. The boys a bit older when I grew up were in Vietnam. It was amazing to go there a decade ago. You could see the scars on the future generations. In the words of one of my favourites, “All we are saying, is give peace a chance.” John Lennon
As a therapist, I have worked with many who returned and their families. The deepest scars don’t show but no doubt, you know that all too well. PEACE!
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Perhaps in the telling it is cathartic for you in some ways. The healing takes time but the memories live on. It brought tears to my eyes, be well….you will meet again.
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I waited 8 years to write the story. Hard to face some problems. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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within each word a tear fell….there are no words to express the sadness
I have never been able to find words for the ones who left too soon….
your story keeps them alive….
Thank you for sharing your sorrow and the road to accepting it …
Take Care…You Matter…
)0(
maryrose
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Thank you for reading and the comment. We must keep the good people alive in heart and in thoughts. Their kids must know. Their father loved them.
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An incredibly deep and touching story of your life and that of your friends. It must have been difficult to share but we are all blessed you have shared it with us. This is very moving and gives a lot of insight to those of us who have not served as well. Thank you for sharing and thank you to you and your friend for all your work and efforts to keep this country safe. Your words and yourself are much appreciated.
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Thank you for reading and the comment. We can’t forget the men and woman who died for us to be free.
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This was so hard for me to read this. I am not afraid to admit that tears streamed down my face as I read it. I wish there was so much more that I can do for our soldiers who return home and the families of the ones who don’t. I have the highest regard and admiration for our soldiers, and their families they leave behind, for the sacrifice they make to keep our country for being war-torn. I can tell you this. I also, know great pain as well. The only thing that has kept me going during my very difficult struggle, is a Savior’s love and care for me. He will comfort the hurting and weak; and has done that very thing for me. I have a lot to be angry about in my life, but God replaced that with the Joy of knowing Him. I know it isn’t very popular to talk about Jesus today but, I literally wouldn’t be alive to see my child grow up, or gaze into the beauty of my wife’s gorgeous eyes, if God didn’t intervene. John, thank you for your service to our great country and, If you are still hurting from the effects of war, please Let God comfort you. God bless.
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I found some peace. Took many years. I learn to dislike war. Soldiers are to defend borders. Not police a world who doesn’t want our help. I agree God, love and kindness in the way. Send food, water and medicine. Wall of hate would fall down. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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Absolutely my pleasure to do so!! Take so time today to read my post today. It may give you a smile. God bless John!!
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It’s well written and very touching.
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Thank you reading and the comment.
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Nicely done. Indeed.
SSG E-6 Toritto 11/18/63 – 11/17/67
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Thank you for reading and the comment. War is a part of us. We learn to hide it.
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Nothing much to add…..Except I DO know how it is. great stuff. I’ll say “Semper Fi”
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Us Soldiers who survive must live for the one’s who cannot not. Today I received pictures from my good friends daughter. He would of been a Grandfather three times. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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My pleasure…or should say sadness. Makes me feel cheap being ungrateful for what I have. Thx for reminding me that there are people who don’t have that option.
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I agree. I appreciate everyday I can spend with kids and grand kids.
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Thank you, that must have been hard to write. I really don’t have anything else to add you have said it all, your friend is I guess looking down and smiling, because he has been telling stories about you to the old soldiers already there. 🙂
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I had to wait 8 years to write. I believe the old Soldiers are waiting for me. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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