http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/ Listen to stories on anything from honeymoons to WWII, from award-winning journalists to first-time writers alike, from anywhere in the world. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:06:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-10752 Sun, 08 Apr 2007 22:59:52 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-10752 Thank you all for your comments. Marge, I'm so sorry about your cousin. It's good we remember our heroes even if the government does not. Thank you all for your comments. Marge, I’m so sorry about your cousin. It’s good we remember our heroes even if the government does not.

]]> http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-2538 Tue, 20 Feb 2007 20:11:15 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-2538 Your story moved me. I, too, lost someone very close to me, my cousin two years my senior who I grew up with. He was a decorated Nam vet who flew helicopter evacuation missions along the DMZ. He survived the war but the war finally did him in. He died the day after Christmas, 1994 from pneumonia after years of alcoholism. I related to your comments about the futility of the support our troops decals. I see these obscenities plastered on Jaguars, BMW's, Mercedes...all these patriotic souls whose loved ones are nowhere near a military campaign. Your story moved me. I, too, lost someone very close to me, my cousin two years my senior who I grew up with. He was a decorated Nam vet who flew helicopter evacuation missions along the DMZ. He survived the war but the war finally did him in. He died the day after Christmas, 1994 from pneumonia after years of alcoholism. I related to your comments about the futility of the support our troops decals. I see these obscenities plastered on Jaguars, BMW’s, Mercedes…all these patriotic souls whose loved ones are nowhere near a military campaign.

]]> http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-1735 Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:54:22 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-1735 Very well written Kerri. I feel like I am reading the book again. You know my heart goes out to you and the family. Bless you. Mavis Very well written Kerri. I feel like I am reading the book again. You know my heart goes out to you and the family. Bless you. Mavis

]]> http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-1729 Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:53:46 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-1729 Well said, Ms. Daw. Well said, Ms. Daw.

]]> http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-1724 Mon, 22 Jan 2007 21:11:35 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-1724 How do we explain to children whom we admonish to settle their differences by "using their words" that great nations with the minds of all of their wise adults cannot settle differences except by sending our young men and women to be killed or maimed as well as to also kill and maim then suffer the mental consequences of having done these terrible deeds. When will we become able to settle international differences peaceably? True, when a government attempts genocide against a part of its people (Darfur) or rebels seek to overcome what they perceive to be an unfair government, in order to bring peace and order to those areas war may be the only effective way, yet is there not something of the oxymoron in waging war to bring about peace? Let us in every way wage peace by attending to the needs of those who suffer for lack of food, healthcare, education, freedom where ever thay may be on this tiny blue planet. As there is no alternative place to go, let us decide now to care for this planet and all who dwell therein. Let us try to give up our lust for power and greed for wealth that seems at the base of so much of the misery we inflict on one another. How do we explain to children whom we admonish to settle their differences by “using their words” that great nations with the minds of all of their wise adults cannot settle differences except by sending our young men and women to be killed or maimed as well as to also kill and maim then suffer the mental consequences of having done these terrible deeds.
When will we become able to settle international differences peaceably?
True, when a government attempts genocide against a part of its people (Darfur) or rebels seek to overcome what they perceive to be an unfair government, in order to bring peace and order to those areas war may be the only effective way, yet is there not something of the oxymoron in waging war to bring about peace?
Let us in every way wage peace by attending to the needs of those who suffer for lack of food, healthcare, education, freedom where ever thay may be on this tiny blue planet. As there is no alternative place to go, let us decide now to care for this planet and all who dwell therein.
Let us try to give up our lust for power and greed for wealth that seems at the base of so much of the misery we inflict on one another.

]]> http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-1722 Mon, 22 Jan 2007 20:40:34 +0000 http://www.commonties.com/blog/2007/01/22/soldiers-of-unknown-wars/#comment-1722 Words can't express the deep sorrow I feel for your loss. The last sentence in your story says everything that is so real and yet so distant from the lives of most. Thank you for the courage you summoned to write this moving memoir. Words can’t express the deep sorrow I feel for your loss. The last sentence in your story says everything that is so real and yet so distant from the lives of most. Thank you for the courage you summoned to write this moving memoir.

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