Newspapers, television, the Internet, all mega media highways, ways to push vast amounts of info to people in all corners of the world. We don't hear much these days about past wars, with Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, the current conflicts, that now command our attention. Yet, if we look at our past history, society should of learned from it, unfortunately this is not the case. Yesterday as I spent the better part of my afternoon with college students that work at my location, one of the young ladies was visibly upset. Upon questioning, she revealed her fiance would be heading to Afghanistan within the next six weeks. She feared, as do all loved ones, she would never see him again. She is proud, as we all are, she understands the need for his job, she doesn't agree, yet accepts it. As the conversations continued, friends consoling her, other recent conflicts were introduced. Her Dad had served in Desert Storm, had a few issues upon returning home, but was now fine. As I mentioned Vietnam, many of the students new little about this conflict. Sad, it was so vivid in my mind, yet how can our future generations benefit from the knowledge, if it has never been shared with them?
My young friend shared with the group, her grandfather had served in Vietnam, She had asked him about it, after her Dad had left for the Middle East. Grandpa chose not to reveal any of his memories, citing they were painful. The young girl only worried more about her Dad, those memories, once again surfacing, as her fiance prepares for departure.
Vietnam was my era, WWII my Dad's. As a child he shared some of his memories with his young daughters. A Marine rifle range drill instructor at Paris Island, Mom joked he commanded thousands of young men, yet his two daughters had him wrapped around their little fingers. Our parents talked openly of the war years, not ashamed to have served their country. As a teen, friends worried upon graduating from high school, they would be drafted into the Army, then sent to Vietnam. Many were, some never to return, but those that did had grown older, wiser and sadder. Some became recluses, rebelling against the society that shunned them. It would be years before many would again feel they "fit in". Some never did. Many never were able to share their experiences, whether they chose to forget what they had seen, experienced or were forced to do just to survive. When they returned, they questioned their government and society questioned them. Now, as that generation approaches their golden years, many fighting a battle, one that had its beginnings in Vietnam, Agent Orange. Plague with series of debilitating and often deadly illnesses, these proud soldiers continue to fight, only this time up close and so much more personal.
Fred's News friends continue to fight. Wayne, our friend, served two tours of duty in Vietnam, one because he had to, the other to protect his younger brother from the horrors he had already witnessed, burned forever in his memory, surfacing as horrific demons of guilt, something only he alone has been able to deal with. It is his health that is the constant reminder of his past, a memento of his time in a far off land. Wayne, one of the luckier ones, he continues his battle. Other friends, not so lucky, Willy, Lonnie, Rich, just a few now at peace, the demons demise also meant theirs as well.
We have a special friend, Don. He is part of our Florida family, a patron of Fred's News, an avid reader of "A Constant Place". Part of that elite group, young men called to action, defend their country, shunned as they returned, health woes throughout their lives, all in the name of patriotism. He now faces the toughest battle of his life, he calls it "The Longest Journey". Don decided to write his blog for a number of reasons: something to do, a way of sharing his experiences with others fighting the same battle, assistance in maintaining his sanity, and other reasons only known to Don. We applaud his decision, we pray for our friend and his family. Please read ane visit Don's blog, The Longest Journey@ blogspot.com. Good luck our friend and "write on!"
My young friend shared with the group, her grandfather had served in Vietnam, She had asked him about it, after her Dad had left for the Middle East. Grandpa chose not to reveal any of his memories, citing they were painful. The young girl only worried more about her Dad, those memories, once again surfacing, as her fiance prepares for departure.
Vietnam was my era, WWII my Dad's. As a child he shared some of his memories with his young daughters. A Marine rifle range drill instructor at Paris Island, Mom joked he commanded thousands of young men, yet his two daughters had him wrapped around their little fingers. Our parents talked openly of the war years, not ashamed to have served their country. As a teen, friends worried upon graduating from high school, they would be drafted into the Army, then sent to Vietnam. Many were, some never to return, but those that did had grown older, wiser and sadder. Some became recluses, rebelling against the society that shunned them. It would be years before many would again feel they "fit in". Some never did. Many never were able to share their experiences, whether they chose to forget what they had seen, experienced or were forced to do just to survive. When they returned, they questioned their government and society questioned them. Now, as that generation approaches their golden years, many fighting a battle, one that had its beginnings in Vietnam, Agent Orange. Plague with series of debilitating and often deadly illnesses, these proud soldiers continue to fight, only this time up close and so much more personal.
Fred's News friends continue to fight. Wayne, our friend, served two tours of duty in Vietnam, one because he had to, the other to protect his younger brother from the horrors he had already witnessed, burned forever in his memory, surfacing as horrific demons of guilt, something only he alone has been able to deal with. It is his health that is the constant reminder of his past, a memento of his time in a far off land. Wayne, one of the luckier ones, he continues his battle. Other friends, not so lucky, Willy, Lonnie, Rich, just a few now at peace, the demons demise also meant theirs as well.
We have a special friend, Don. He is part of our Florida family, a patron of Fred's News, an avid reader of "A Constant Place". Part of that elite group, young men called to action, defend their country, shunned as they returned, health woes throughout their lives, all in the name of patriotism. He now faces the toughest battle of his life, he calls it "The Longest Journey". Don decided to write his blog for a number of reasons: something to do, a way of sharing his experiences with others fighting the same battle, assistance in maintaining his sanity, and other reasons only known to Don. We applaud his decision, we pray for our friend and his family. Please read ane visit Don's blog, The Longest Journey@ blogspot.com. Good luck our friend and "write on!"
Diane, I got your blog site from Roy a Collette. I really enjoyed your postings immensely. Keep up the great work. Reading them brings back fond memories of Freds News. Jim H. a long lost friend.
ReplyDeleteI will keep on writing as long as the stories pop into my mind, we all know how that can be, one minute here, the next minute gone. Glad you enjoy them.
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