Many ways to lose a life in war.
May 28, 2012 5 Comments
When I was little, my sister and I used to hunt down our Christmas presents like trained bloodhounds for the entire month of December. We looked in very dark corners, searched the untouched attics, and destroyed any closet in our way. We should have looked in our mom’s trunk, but we didn’t learn that until it was too late.
On one of my treasure hunts, I discovered an old, dusty rifle case that, based on its weight, still had an occupant. Too afraid to open the case to find out, I asked my mom about this find.
“Your dad was in the army. He went to Vietnam, but that was long before you were around.” And that was the extent of our conversation. My dad never mentioned his time in the service, and would only offer up vague details when asked directly. I learned more from the VA office when my dad got sick than I ever learned directly from him.
There are many ways to lose a life in war. Even if you come back with a beating heart and lungs that contract and expand, it’s possible to have left your life behind. The son who played football every waking moment that comes home without legs, a father who can’t work because night terrors grip him every time he closes his eyes, the mother that always imagined being a Girl Scout leader and soccer mom who suffers a traumatic brain injury and struggles with basic tasks of everyday.
Lives given in the name of war are far more than the body count. The casualties include soldiers, parents, siblings, spouses and children. We do a great thing by honoring those who have fallen, but we have much more work to do. We need to help our returning vets and their families stand back up. Replacing their former life is not possible, it is gone, but giving them a fighting chance at a new one is the least we can do.
My dad passed in 2009, and I honor his service today. Not just the time he spent in the service, but the years he spent after, alone with his thoughts and memories that were not suitable to share with his children. I honor the life he left behind, and thank him for soldiering on to be a great dad.
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I LOVE this line: “Not just the time he spent in the service, but the years he spent after, alone with his thoughts and memories that were not suitable to share with his children.” I think those of us who have never fought in war don’t realize how the memories really do live with the veterans every single day. Great reminder and way to honor your dad.
Thanks, Leah. I think living in San Diego has made me even more aware of the lives of soldiers when they return.
Powerful words. I agree with Leah on the line about afterward. Any father would be proud to read these words. I agree that more needs to be done, for soldiers as well as their families. My dad was also in Vietnam, and to this day has to sleep alone because of violent nightmares, and has horrible emphysema from the gases.
Great post on this holiday, hopefully more people are aware it is more than a dat off
DAY OFF!!!!
Thanks, Dawn. In light of the recent report about vets and mental health benefits, it seems we have a great opportunity to do things better than we have in the past. I hope we rise to the challenge. I am so sorry to hear about your dad and I hope he is getting the support he needs.