There are so many things we all go through as Soldiers.

You really don’t know how good Peace is, that is until you learn about other countries that have no peace, no freedom. In war you learn life is fragile but strong, how hard it is to keep the fighting, killing, saving, being in pain; physically and mentally locked in the steel-safe in the back of your brain.
Soldiers become a two-sided person. It gets easy to laugh and tell jokes but walking away, like a dog with its tail between its legs when the questions come out; What was the war like? What did you and your squad, go through? What was the worst thing you went through? Did you have to give out orders?

I was an M-60 in the third platoon of B-2, 501st (101st) in ’67-68′. The second photo shows me on the right, a 101st Airborne Screaming Eagle. The last one shows me receiving my Purple Heart while recovering on the USS Sanctuary hospital ship. I suffered a head wound on March 13, 1968 and had to re-learn talking and understanding. When people talked to me I would understand but then their words would bubble away. I’m doing a lot better but I’ve still got that “short memory”. God must have kept me around for some reason.

I remember the faces of my buddies before we went to Vietnam and how different we looked like while serving in the jungles, open fields, villagers and the sight and smell of death. Returning home and see the separation of high school and wartime. We learned what protesters looked like. There were huge Tsunami waves of them. The Vietnam veterans were changing from uniform to civilian clothes before leaving the airports. Many became drinking moles to get away from protestors. Failing down seemed to be “The only way out”.

Through the many years veterans started to make contact with their brothers, the ones they served with. That became a good feeling of unity, supporting each on a 24/7 contact. Agent orange has become a death of sadness on our home front but at least we are dying at home, not buddies dropping all around us while fighting. When all war veterans die their souls start living in peace, away from carrying that heavy backpack each day, each month, each year! Of course there are those veterans that did make it through hell; hell in war and hell at home.

Somehow they were able to keep their memories covered, diluted with love, support, and from the Commander in chief, GOD!
~ Bradley Jimerson, Vietnam Vet

Comes A Soldier’s Whisper Veteran tribute page invites you to share your service photos and a memory of your wartime experience.

God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.

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