November 11
Yet another Veteran's Day, as it's known in the US of A, or Remembrance Day as it's revered in Canada, has arrived.Originally the day was designed to celebrate and remember the fallen soldiers of the first world war. Later it became inclusive of the fallen from all wars, and today venerates all who fought or were involved in conflict for their countries en toto.
However, please understand something very important.
Some of us, perhaps many of us, do not wish to remember.
Some of us spend our lives trying to forget.
An overly experienced soldier told me many years ago, over a coffee in the mess, to wipe that grin off my face. He said you can go to war, but you can't ever go home.
I thought that he was pretty negative, because surely most came home. I saw and knew many who had come home over the years.
When I came home, I found out what he really meant.
Home was different, or perhaps, I had changed.
I could not forget what I had seen or the things that I had done.
We all react differently.
Some of us live under bridges.
Some of us drink ourselves to death.
Some of us take drugs to stop the pain.
Some of us dig in and try to do anything that we can do to fix the problems and pay back the debt that we feel that we've incurred by our actions.
Can we please end this madness?
May I come home now?:
Comments (15)
I can totally understand you don't wish to remember those horrid times
Yes what you have gone through must have changed you how can it not be so.
Thanking you for your sacrifice and hope you have been able to come home.
My home no longer exists.
I have a new life.
He has a 100 year head on his young shoulders.
A friend's husband was a medic.......He did the full 20 and retired. It took him 12 years to drink himself to death at only 52 years of age.........
And Some Of Us...Who Did Their Stint In Vietnam..(.Late Sixties)
Just Wont Talk About It At All
Though Forgetting About It,,,Is Impossible
The Worst Part..For Some of Us ...Is
Having A Dream
Having A Dream Of ... Talking With Good Ole... "Spider Jackson"..(A Black Guy Who Was A Medic)
Laughing It Up
Having A Beer At The PX
Goin To Town
And Having..... A Good Ole Time
And Then When You Wake Up
You Realize It Was All Just A Dream
Because Good Ole "Spider Jackson" Never Came Back....(Alive)...................................
Thanks for responding.
I feel a little less alone.
I thought that there would be more.
Even with climate change and global warming, hearts are growing colder.
I saw a few people come back from over there that used to be happy, cheerful, and outgoing. When they returned home they were quiet, reserved and totally different people.
I can understand why some don't want to remember. My heart goes out to ya.
I appreciate the insight.
It's knida funny. I spent so much time thinking it was all handled, living my life and keeping it all secret.
Now that I want to finally talk about it, nobody wants to listen.
I always feel this way on 11 11.
Now it's Nov 12, and life goes on.
Thanks again.........Just a thought Shine, with this super moon coming, can we call you 'Super Moonshine' ????