Soldier Move

I spent 30 years in the US Marines and wrote this when I came home from Vietnam. to a place where no more internal battles are fought and no more sadness felt for those they once knew and lost. Places no one will ever remember, that is, no one but those who were there. Battles, large and small, in war and within ones-self, that do not rate a mention in history but definitely helped write it. Sounds of long ago but were only yesterday this morning. Survivors A time of remembrance for me… of young faces I once knew a lifetime ago who are no longer here and of a lot that are. Faces of my beloved family who fought in WW2 and Korea who have crossed over guilt but deep inside…. glad it wasn’t me. Reading citations and asking myself,” Did I really do that”? Looking for lost loves and lost youth knowing that you will find neither. Memories, some good…some bad. Touching the scars on my body from shrapnel and on my chest from a 7.62. Looking at that rifle that I brought home with me that put that bullet there and remembering the young Vietnamese that once held it that I killed almost at the same time as he shot me. Looking into a mirror and then at a picture on a wall and wondering where did that kid disappear to? Still feeling the pride that I felt then and feeling pride in those who wear, or have worn, the uniform of today ( Do you ever really take it off?) Looking at my sons face, my daughters faces, my grandchildren’s faces, and whispering a prayer that they will never forget me or others like me who sacrificed so much so other people may seek freedom and have rights and when necessary, fight for this country and for their rights that so many of its citizens take for granted. Looking at the colors and feeling the pride for I know the price many youth have paid to keep it flying. Understanding, that one more year has passed and that I am closer to paying my dues to the one I cheated out of them three+ times. Not really caring about life or death personally anymore for after what I went through, saw, did, etc. what is really left but the waiting…. just like then. Yes, today I especially remember. Thanks for serving. Welcome home. God bless and see you in Fiddler’s Green. With Veterans day tomorrow I would like to know what you think and how you feel. Thanks