A SOLDIERS TORMENT

A SOLDIERS TORMENT

                          

                 Remembering The Fallen In Norway 1945

        Photo by Else Hesstvedt from Bloggers collection 

     It has always struck me as remarkable the way soldiers behave. The country we call the United States of America has literally been at war almost constantly since 1776. Before then our colonies were at war for much of their existence, too. Rarely is it a war of self defense, but mostly wars are fought for entirely different reasons. It is said: WAR IS HELL. It is. But war can be described in other terms, too: WAR IS SELL.  By that I mean that someone convinces us of a “need” to go to war. It is a simple thing often overlooked by those who fight: someone makes big bucks off war. All that is needed is to show that someone is a “bad guy,” and off we go on another adventure. Whether it is necessary or even right is not up for consideration. Those who make and sell the ammunition and war toys love it. They become immensely wealthy. The people love it because it provides for good economic times. After every depression a war is a great way to spend ones way out! It also gives us a “reason” to engage in "false patriotism" while we “wave the flag.” And it calls young men to adventure, giving them an opportunity to do things a civilized society says it should not do! For those who participate in war it is often a hell on earth. No soldier who served in combat ever returns as the same man he was when he left home. He is changed forever. A handful of examples will suffice. In the Second World War, Audie Murphy returned as one of the most decorated soldiers of the time. He became a famous movie actor. He was credited with killing some 275 German Soldiers with a machine gun so his company could pull out of a bad situation. From all apparent reasons he was not bothered by the action. He was doing his job, motivated by an intense survival instinct. There are touching pictures from Vietnam showing soldiers, armed to the teeth carrying naked Vietnamese children out of harm’s way. Their humanity and bravery gave them no medals at all, but their unselfishness shows through! Just as touching is the soldier who befriends a dog and wants to bring it home with him! He is trying to retain his humanity as well, in a conflict not of his choosing. Or the soldier so taken by the plight of a young woman he marries her and brings her home! The examples are never ending. In his book “War is a Pity,” Niall Ferguson details the stark realities of World War 1. It was a crime against humanity!

     A few years ago I came across a poem placed on the Department of Defense Blog and reported by CNN that struck me to the heart of my soul. I saved it to my computer and backed it up just in case someone should decide to make this disappear! I am reproducing it here from my back-up because of its stirring emotional appeal. I have purposely overlapped portions of it so it can be seen in continuity. The "disclaimer" added at the end of the post shows a complete lack of understanding, remorse, feeling, and humanity and only re-enforces the concept of "The Pity of War!" The comments at the end of the post are also included here and speak for themselves.

 

Having served in the military as an enlisted man as well, I can really appreciate Sgt James Lenihan's feelings so well expressed in his true and classic manner. His poem may not receive the accolades it deserves but it my mind he was a hell of a Combat Brother I would have been proud to know and serve with.

A couple of thoughts worthy of consideration: Sgt Lenihan did not make the rank of "sergeant" by being a goof-off or a softie. He made it because he earned and deserved it as a LEADER and his wounds prove it. I made the same rank in two years time in service and I can honestly state it took time, devotion to duty, leadership and competence to be advanced like that. Rest in Peace Brother!

Photo by Blogger from his collection

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Harald Hesstvedt Scharnhorst