Define war? How do you teach a child. Why men are killed in war?
Grandson asked
A Poem by Coyote Poetry
Would be a better world if we saw with the eyes of the children.
Memorial poetry
I stopped by the nearby location for the Memorial day celebration. There had a flag for every Soldier killed in the new wars. I took my grandsons with me. This time with each flag was a photo of each soldier and where he was killed.
I found my three friends I served with. I stood by one of my friend photo lost in Iraq and I wanted to fall down with sadness. A older man came up and tapped my shoulder and told me. This is a sad place. I’m a Vietnam Vet from Holly, Michigan. I wanted to show respect to my brothers lost to war. I told him. I have three good friends here and I had to visit them. He saw in my eyes great sadness and he told me. We must remember them. We must live for them and appreciate every day we are alive. My five year old grandson saw my sadness and he asked. Why are you sad Grandpa? I told him I have friends here. They were killed in war. His five year eyes got bigger and he asked. Why did they have to die in war? I looked at my missed friend face and I told him. I don’t know. I gave him a gentle tap on the head and told him. I wish I knew why?
The man from Holly, Michigan name was Glen. He told me he took medicine for agent orange. He showed me the punctures wounds on his hand. I asked him. Was he alright? He told me I’m alive and fighting still. Each new day is a blessing. My grandson asked Glen. Why are all these soldiers dead? His mind racing with new questions. Glen looked at the flags and told him. I don’t know.
Two soldiers from different wars trying to find peace and understanding with flags of heroes faces surrounding them. I did a silence prayer to the God of life and death. Please lord, please take care of my brother soldiers. Protect their families and please don’t allow them to be forgotten.
Coyote/John Castellenas
thanks for posting
~
important reflections
for our future
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Yesterday I talked to a Korean war vet. His story was still fresh and alive in his head. He was twenty years old in 1951.It is sad we reach our kids death before they can learn life. Thank you for reading and the comment.
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We cannot explain to a child. The only ones who understand are those growing up in a war zone. The know death. The see it and smell it and are overwhelmed by it.
We are so very fortunate that there is no war on our soil.
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We are lucky. Old wise saying. “When war is far away. It will come to your front porch one day.”
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Reblogged this on Teacher as Transformer and commented:
This is an incredibly powerful post with great questions as its opening. It would be wonderful to see the world through the eyes of children.
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It would. It is sad we lose the hope of dreams with age. It is sad accept less as adults. Thank you for reading and the reblog.
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Very wise words you have written here, John. I truly wish all war would cease, yet seeing the conditions upon we live in this world, I don’t foresee that happening any time soon. Death is incomprehensible to young children, so it is not possible to explain death to them. Wonderful job you have done writing on a subject that holds so many emotions for so many. Love, Amy
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Very wise words you have written here, John. I truly wish all war would cease, yet seeing the conditions upon we live in this world, I don’t foresee that happening any time soon. Death is incomprehensible to young children, so it is not possible to explain death to them. Wonderful job you have done writing on a subject that holds so many emotions for so many. Love, Amy
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Thank you Amy. You are right. Avery hard topic. My grandson asked did I killed someone? I answered politely and I told him. Soldiers do what they must.
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Oh, John! How horrible to try to explain to a child something that their little minds just are not able to grasp fully. How difficult it is for you to live the rest of your life knowing what you did in war, as in taking another’s life. No one and I mean no one, should ever have to shoulder that responsibility, that tragedy. Tears fill my eyes as I write this. (((HUGS))) Amy
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Most men and women can move on. The men and women who can’t. Need proper help. These new wars are more bloody and terrible. Similar to WW1 and WW2. Korean war and Vietnam. Left generations of people with hidden wounds.
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John, I really know. My Dad served in WWII. My husband, Nam. Believe me I understand about the woundedness, and even with help some just never become whole again. I am in hubby’s life to keep supporting him and encouraging him to choose LIFE. My Dad, however, chose the war and what it did to him as off limits.
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I understand. My father fought in the Korean war and Vietnam. Never discussed either one.
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The walls so thick nothing can penetrate. I know.
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” We must remember them. We must live for them and appreciate every day we are alive.” Many years ago I had the opportunity to meet the poet Maya Angelou. She spoke of the sacrifices made by the generations before us in hopes our lives would be made better than theirs. At one point she used almost the same words as yours quoted above. This is difficult subject but a wise post, John.
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lovely children!
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They are. My grandchildren are too wise for their young ages.
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children are too sophisticated these days, growing up too fast!
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Yes you are right.
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