JACK ARMY, scanning my sector!
Powerful post. A heavy image to carry these months. Seems like the time has come you're ready to share this father and his son with a loved one. We who have never experienced the devestation of war can listen with empathy and with our hearts. I hope and pray talking about it will relieve a portion of the pain. You write that what you experienced is not anywhere near what others experienced. Events cannot be compared, everyone process traumatic events individually. It must be very difficult not knowing the child's outcome. I hope and pray you are able to let this all out with Jill, have a damn good cry, and allow those who love you help to shoulder this very sad memory.
SFC Nichols, I hope getting it out helps. Perhaps you could see someone on post and talk to them. Keeping this to you and your family will eat you up. My father, a Vietnam vet used to say that the stuff he never spoke of was the stuff that tore away at him the most.
I'll be praying you'll be able to talk to someone about this.
Your sacrifice and that of your family and many others does not go unnoticed by the majority of Americans.
I pray that by sharing the experience you have described, you find some comfort.
I think the brain has a way of protecting us. Sometimes to our detriment. But I think it's a self-preservation tactic that is built into us. And maybe your reluctance to talk about this has been just that - your brain trying to protect you from an overwhelming memory.
Now that some time has passed, it might be easier to talk about. Not easy, just easier. And tears are not a bad thing. In fact, they may help get some of the pent up feelings and emotions out. Because, like Opinionator said, otherwise it will eat you up.
Writing it down, like you have here, might also help take the edge off before you start talking about it. I hope Jill is able to help you get this out.
I am grateful now - just as I was then - that you and your guys were not hurt or killed.
The tears just mean that you are human. Send the kids to the babysitters and sit down with Jill or go see the chaplain and just let it rip. Let the tears come as they mean that you are alive and a part of something that is worthy of sacrifice. Isn't the ability to feel the difference between a Wolf and a Sheepdog?
You need to seek counseling. Don't wait, and don't let it get worse.
Just talk with a good friend ...
Those tears just re-affirm the fact that inside you are a truly compassionate person. I have to also say that was a very powerful post. It brought back some very hard things I also had to deal with during my service and that was in peace time. Sounds like putting it on the blog means that you are now ready to talk about it. Pick the time that is best and sit down with your wife and the chaplain and just get it out. Thanks for your service and for being MAN ENOUGH to write a post like this one.
Did you consider tracking the doctor in that tent and asking him if he remembered the man and boy?
Might bring some resolution/"closure". Or not.
Commenting by HaloScan
