Missing pieces. Part two

Sometime we can find the missing pieces. It can close doors that are needed to be shut and understood.

              Missing pieces.     Part two.


The Korean war was a short and bloody war. My father did two tours in Korea.
He only spoke of war when drunk late at night. The rum opened door to memories and friends faces lost in the Korean dirt. I would sit at a distance. He would have conversation with dead friends who never made it home. One day I went with him to California. He stood at his friend grave and he said his final goodbye. I remember his face when I left for war. He had tears in his eyes as I boarded the plane for Iraq. This was a hard man knowing his son was following his father's footstep.

A reunion of the Korean war Veterans in 1979. 500 men who survive a bloody war. The Veterans were talking about men who never made it home. One man raised his voice. "The Lt. Smith died on the road march. I saw him die. I wrote his name down on some paper."  Another man asked. "How do you remember? So many died on the road marches and the battles. He told them. "I wrote the men names on toilet paper and hid the paper till the war ended. I still have the paper."  A expert was given the roll of toilet paper. There was 500 names of POW unaccountable from the Korean war. One man gave relief and understanding. To families who lost their brothers, fathers and uncles to this war not declared.

My father called me in 1992. They have awarded a medal for the Korean war finally. He wanted one. He told me. "Finally after 36 years. I will get my ribbon. I want to add it to my silver star and bronze star." I went to the P.X and bought the medal. I send the medal to him. I was sadden. 43,000 plus died in a undeclared war. Took this Government over 40 years to award the Soldiers who fought and died for freedom. I was glad my father was content. I hope it gave him some relief. 

Missing pieces my friend. Vietnam and Korea left men broken and soaked in blood. A soldier at Fort Hood. Another soldiers taught to kill. He spend two tours in war zones. He murdered three people and shot himself.
Who is to blame?  This government send Soldiers to police actions and put our young people in the way of war.
The Senate and House voted to downsize the Veteran administration budget. Every Veteran from all wars and active. I pray they vote out the traitors in the Senate and House. Thank you for reading.

                             Coyote/John Castellenas

Author's Note

More thoughts. I hope you enjoy.

Reviews

[Pryde Foltz]

A reunion of the Korean war Veterans in 1979. 500 men who survive a bloody war. The Veterans were talking about men who never made it home. One man raised his voice. "The Lt. Smith died on the road march. I saw him die. I wrote his name down on some paper." Another man asked. "How do you remember? So many died on the road marches and the battles. He told them. "I wrote the men names on toilet paper and hid the paper till the war ended. I still have the paper." A expert was given the roll of toilet paper. There was 500 names of POW unaccountable from the Korean war. One man gave relief and understanding. To families who lost their brothers, fathers and uncles to this war not declared.

John … this bit of symbolism here is unreal. May we come to a time where the life of a human being never be considered disposable. Close to tears, my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

One of the great stories from the Korean War. It was in the Reader Digest many years ago. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Addie Santos]

This is powerful. Very, very, very powerful. May God bless all the veterans who were deeply cringed by the war as so as the men and women sacrificing their lives as of the present moment.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. War make the winner and loser pay. I pray for days when young women and men don't need to learn death before love, life and travel. Thank you for reading and the comment.

[Baby Ricochet]

I read part one as well. I have casual acquaintances in my life who don't know I'm a veteran. Like the Pakistani family who run the BP station up the street I get gas and small items at, or the staff at the sports bar I shoot pool at. I have light conversations with these people but I never say" Hey, I'm a USMC vet." I don't have veterans tags on my truck either. I got tired of being a "hero" less than a year after I was discharged in 08. (Seriously, not a good time to be looking for a job right out of the corps) THe only people I talk to about those days and how I feel about them are my old corps buddies, my therapist and my girlfriend. S**t happened back there. You know? and those who haven't been through it, they don't need to know. I really enjoyed reading these two pieces Coyote. You're right about one thing for sure. War sucks.

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree. I see no peace either. I hope I won't be the Grandfather watching his grandson leave for war.

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

Thank you for sharing these
memories so sad but beautiful.


You have tugged at my Heart strings
you have me in tears I Enjoyed reading.

Blessings Kindred poet

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you for your kind words. I pray for peace. No child should know war and fear.

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

I agree Even though my boy is 13teen I still feel he is innocent
and doesn't understand some things he hasn't experienced.

You're very welcome. Blessings Kindred poet

[Tai Ryens]

This hit hard, straight to the point and so very devastating.
It isn't fair at all, that they would dare send soldiers to an undeclared war, lose some of them to casualties, then go on to punish them for following the orders they were given. They're sounding more and more like an incompetent, deadbeat parent manipulating its children.
Well spoken, this hit hard.

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you Taite for reading and the comment. Real life can be more scary than fiction.