Some time since the chaos and mayhem of the battlefield.
Since smelling the odor of cordite, fresh blood and burnt flesh.
Since witnessing the terribly horrid and violent death or mutilation of your closest friends and brothers.
It’ll be much more than some time before those memories finally fade and peace of mind pervades.
It’s been some time…. yes quite some time since those feelings of guilt at having survived have not plagued my thoughts.
Some time since not feeling an extreme sense of loss and the anger that always seems to follow.
Since free from the fear and anxiety of feeling that some impending doom still pursues me.
It’ll be much more than some time before those feelings finally abate and the heart is mended.
It’s been some time…. yes quite some time since I haven’t felt the intense pain and extreme sorrow of having lost my closest friend.
Some time since not feeling that there was possibly something I could have done to prevent his death.
Since believing strongly that I also should’ve perished that day.
It’ll be much more than some time before my time in Hell is spent and I may be finally laid to rest.
Michael “MadMonk” Bradshaw
(Former Sgt.-101st Airborne Division-U.S. Army )
Disabled Vietnam Combat Veteran