I didn't write a real Veteran's Day post on Alt this year. Usually I do put down something on Vet's Day and Memorial Day.
From some of the e-mails I receive (and, to a lesser extent, some of the comments) I fear people may be taking away the wrong messages.
Whereas I try to get people to see the ugly consequences and the reality of sending your nation's children off to fight and die...a lot of the reactions I receive in mail reflect a romanticized vision of whatever I'm writing about. I get a lot of "Thank you for your service" type mails. Those always make me uncomfortable as all hell.
I'd rather they took away inspiration to act. Act on VA issues and all the other problems and issues I cover. I'd rather they think about what I write and use it for something.
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Ideas..... Stories..... Memories..... Writings..... Visuals..... Things I'm working out, working on.... One of the easiest things to do is tell a story. One of the most difficult is to be a great storyteller.
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Recommended Reading (Desert Storm)
- Jarhead by Anthony Swofford
- Martyr's Day by Michael Kelly
- Baghdad Express by Joel Turnipseed
- Crusade: The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War by Rick Atkinson
- Iron Soldiers by Tom Carhart
Darkness at Noon
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3 comments:
I actually thought about you quite a bit on Veteran's Day. I wanted to ask you a question... but I was hesitant to for some reason.
I got this email from that Christian blogger (yes another damn forward, I opened it by accident as I was reading and deleting emails) and it was a "Christian reminder" to send a holiday card to a soldier.
So even though the prompter kinda sucks this is actually something that I'd like to do, but I want to do it in the best way possible. I realize that there are far more constructive ways to help, but I'm not really in a position to give my time right now.
If I sent a card and maybe cookies, is that something that really would be appreciated? Or is that sentimental type stuff reserved for the movies? And if I did, where is the best place to send - how do I choose?
I guess I felt like these were frivolous questions to be asking you... but here I am, asking. I sincerely want to know what you think.
Hi Trinny.
Almost all mail is appreciated when you are stuck way far away from home...especially at the holidays. I guess that's one of the true cliches. My mom used to write me letters that were full of apologies because she only had mundane day to day shit to write about. she didn't realize that getting those letters allowed me to step back into a place full of the comfortable and the mundane. They were a relief from a head full of uncertaintly and worry.
There's a website I use called http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/
People can sign up there to be put into contact with troops overseas who write in. They connect people who want to be pen pals, send best wishes or send gifts. The troops write and and make requests for books, snacks, etc...things they cannot get overseas. And, sadly, sometimes they ask for things they should already have. I sent a few cartons of bandages to a pair of Navy medics in 2004.
It's a useful way to get something nice to the kids over there.
Thank you so much, amigo. That site is a great resource.
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