The following is a posted comment after one of my Comes A Soldier’s Whisper featured stories, that I felt needed to be shared, so heartfelt and a tribute to our veteran soldiers.

We welcome shared stories, thoughts, memories and yes, even the tears. Author Peter Griffin has a beautiful book entitled Thoughts, Memories And Tears, available on Amazon.com. I just got it today and look forward to the collection of beautiful poems.

Comes A Soldier’s Whisper remembering our veterans and history past.

Jenny La Sala
Proud Airborne Veteran Daughter

“A few of my most precious “relics” are four wartime letters.

Two were written by John W. Walker (who was raised along with his brother by my great grandmother) and two written by Ben Shown. Both were in the 27th Infantry Division, in the same squad. Shown was the squad leader and Walker was his scout. Both were wounded in the Battle of Saipan. Walker was wounded first on their 3rd day of combat and received the machine gun across both thighs and his left buttocks.

Ben Shown was wounded two days later by shrapnel in his bicep from an exploding mortar round. Both were aboard one of the hospital ships, and my letters (written to my grandparents) are all post marked from the ship. Both men came home, both were extended family, uncle’s by choice rather than blood. We buried John Wade Walker 23 years ago and Ben Allen Shown in April 2012.

The great thing is, that I’ll always have those letters, even if we don’t have these great men anymore…”

~ Russell Smith