For Whom The Bell Tolls
A very short commentary on something I read today.34 total reviews
Comment from mshugh
Beautiful story - I too will grieve for the 4,000 American service man or woman (3,300 in combat) , the 400 other nations' troops and the estminated 200,000 + Iraqi civilians killed in an unncessary war..
Until one sees or feels death in a combat situation , it is impossible to describe the emotions and resulting emotional damage.
I wish this had been posted BEFORE any war had started - or as Herodotus so aptly put it, "Young men die for the mistakes of old fools."
Well done
Michael
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2008
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Beautiful story - I too will grieve for the 4,000 American service man or woman (3,300 in combat) , the 400 other nations' troops and the estminated 200,000 + Iraqi civilians killed in an unncessary war..
Until one sees or feels death in a combat situation , it is impossible to describe the emotions and resulting emotional damage.
I wish this had been posted BEFORE any war had started - or as Herodotus so aptly put it, "Young men die for the mistakes of old fools."
Well done
Michael
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much, Michael. It is a tragic situation. I watch my son trying to adjust to life over here again and wonder what those two years in Iraq did to him.
Many thanks for the support.
Jan
Comment from Artasylum
true you have said all that needs to be said...and the worst part is that we are helpless to stop what the powers that will from making it 4001 and then once again it will be counting...yours, diana
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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true you have said all that needs to be said...and the worst part is that we are helpless to stop what the powers that will from making it 4001 and then once again it will be counting...yours, diana
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Indeed. I just read that two more soldiers were killed there today in a roadside bombing, the 3989 and 3990'th soldiers to die. 43 Iraqi people also died today in a suicide bombing. It breaks my heart. Many thanks for the review.
Jan
Comment from tteach
This is a well written essay on a contemporary theme. I agree with you that 3988 are way too many.
I am not optimistic however, that the soldiers will come home any time soon. This feels much like Vietnam, where the war is never really won, just ended.
terry
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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This is a well written essay on a contemporary theme. I agree with you that 3988 are way too many.
I am not optimistic however, that the soldiers will come home any time soon. This feels much like Vietnam, where the war is never really won, just ended.
terry
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much, Terry. This means a lot to me. I agree with you - I don't think the war will be won, just ended. Many thanks for the support.
Jan
Comment from ledford
It looks great! I bumped up the stars:-)
This is a very emotional and heartfelt piece. Thank you for sharing.
I have a few suggstions that may improve it....
"about him being away at war." Should be possessive ... "his"
"and lives will be changed forever." This doesn't flow well off this sentance. You may want to make it it's own.
"Hopes and dreams will drain away like the blood on Baghdad's streets." Good analogy.
"I want to believe there will be a miracle and not one more soldier dies." The tense is off here.
"The article explained Americans are far less likely to "know" someone who has died in Iraq, [than in] World War II." No comma needed. Also, I recommend "as compared to"
Keep up the good work!
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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It looks great! I bumped up the stars:-)
This is a very emotional and heartfelt piece. Thank you for sharing.
I have a few suggstions that may improve it....
"about him being away at war." Should be possessive ... "his"
"and lives will be changed forever." This doesn't flow well off this sentance. You may want to make it it's own.
"Hopes and dreams will drain away like the blood on Baghdad's streets." Good analogy.
"I want to believe there will be a miracle and not one more soldier dies." The tense is off here.
"The article explained Americans are far less likely to "know" someone who has died in Iraq, [than in] World War II." No comma needed. Also, I recommend "as compared to"
Keep up the good work!
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much, Ledford. I made the adjustments as recommended. Any chance of a re-review or upgrade? :-) Never hurts to ask.
I do appreciate your comments.
Jan
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It looks great. I bumped up the stars:-)
Comment from cooljules
I think this essay represents the sentiments and frustrations of a lot of people. We want our troops home, but feel helpless to do anything about it.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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I think this essay represents the sentiments and frustrations of a lot of people. We want our troops home, but feel helpless to do anything about it.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Yes, indeed. Thank you so much.
Jan
Comment from OldVet
This is a well written and well meant posting, but I have to play the Devil's Advocate here.
While is it easy to protest the loss of lives in Iraq--and it is tragic--why is it that the things that cause many more lives to be taken go on practically unnoticed.
When are the parents going to step in and take responsiblilty before their drunken high school son plows into a light pole, killing himself and three or four of his friends?
When is mom or dad going to check up on sonny before he pulls out his "piece" and blows away someone because he was "dissed"?
When is the parent going to check the daughter's blood-shot, dialated eyes before she swallows that one pill too many?
What are we going to do when a daughter goes off to college, only to have her head blown off because someone wanted to use her ATM card to clean out her account?
Why is it that fighting (and dying) to protect those of us at home has become so much more tragic than the innocent child struck down during a drive-by?
Where do we really need to focus our concerns.
Far fewer young men and women are dying in Irag than right here at home on our own streets. But no one seems to care about that.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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This is a well written and well meant posting, but I have to play the Devil's Advocate here.
While is it easy to protest the loss of lives in Iraq--and it is tragic--why is it that the things that cause many more lives to be taken go on practically unnoticed.
When are the parents going to step in and take responsiblilty before their drunken high school son plows into a light pole, killing himself and three or four of his friends?
When is mom or dad going to check up on sonny before he pulls out his "piece" and blows away someone because he was "dissed"?
When is the parent going to check the daughter's blood-shot, dialated eyes before she swallows that one pill too many?
What are we going to do when a daughter goes off to college, only to have her head blown off because someone wanted to use her ATM card to clean out her account?
Why is it that fighting (and dying) to protect those of us at home has become so much more tragic than the innocent child struck down during a drive-by?
Where do we really need to focus our concerns.
Far fewer young men and women are dying in Irag than right here at home on our own streets. But no one seems to care about that.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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I appreciate your comments and I see your point. But, I have written about those things too, and I do care about them. I have been in the position of waiting for a soldier to return home, so I guess I write best about things that are closest to my heart at the time. Many thanks for the review.
Jan
Comment from Donn Clark
Great message, and written with expertise and feeling. It amazes me, that in a world full of religions, all of which speak of not killing . . . Humanity's history can be written just by listing the wars and fights.
I hope some day, man learns that the intelligence God created us with could be used to create a peaceful world that doesn't destroy the planet He created for us, and one that doesn't promote overpopulation, control of others, and greed.
Your story was wonderful, I would prefer no more American deaths, and no more Iraq deaths at our hands (200,000+ is a low estimate).
Thank you for writing this story, Donn
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Great message, and written with expertise and feeling. It amazes me, that in a world full of religions, all of which speak of not killing . . . Humanity's history can be written just by listing the wars and fights.
I hope some day, man learns that the intelligence God created us with could be used to create a peaceful world that doesn't destroy the planet He created for us, and one that doesn't promote overpopulation, control of others, and greed.
Your story was wonderful, I would prefer no more American deaths, and no more Iraq deaths at our hands (200,000+ is a low estimate).
Thank you for writing this story, Donn
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Agreed, Donn. The Iraqi deaths are a tragedy, and I will never understand why mankind fights the way we do.
I really appreciate the review.
Jan
Comment from EllenV
Jan, we all need to be reminded often of the wonderful men who are fighting so courageously in Iraq, some even giving up their lives. I know I am one who is remiss, at times, in not showing my deep gratitude and admiration for their bravery and patriotism.
A very well written description of the pain and suffering:
Hopes and dreams will drain away like the blood on Baghdad's streets.
Thanks for the reminder.
Blessings,
Ellen
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Jan, we all need to be reminded often of the wonderful men who are fighting so courageously in Iraq, some even giving up their lives. I know I am one who is remiss, at times, in not showing my deep gratitude and admiration for their bravery and patriotism.
A very well written description of the pain and suffering:
Hopes and dreams will drain away like the blood on Baghdad's streets.
Thanks for the reminder.
Blessings,
Ellen
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much, Ellen. I really appreciate your comments.
Jan
Comment from darkmoonbaby
Jan,
Stephen died in 2006? I thought it was 2007... I might be confused, but I thought I'd mention it in case it was a typo. I know how eager you are to have the rest of our soldiers home. Daniel's sister leaves for Iraq before Thanksgiving of this year, which has Daniel in the dumps. He loves his sister more than any women in this world (possibly more than me, but that's okay!).
Hugs,
Ash
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Jan,
Stephen died in 2006? I thought it was 2007... I might be confused, but I thought I'd mention it in case it was a typo. I know how eager you are to have the rest of our soldiers home. Daniel's sister leaves for Iraq before Thanksgiving of this year, which has Daniel in the dumps. He loves his sister more than any women in this world (possibly more than me, but that's okay!).
Hugs,
Ash
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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It was on the last day of 2006. :-( I will never forget it. Thanks for checking. Thank you so much for the review.
Hugs,
Jan
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Jan,
I can't believe it has been that long! It feels like it was just yesterday that you were telling all of us that sad, sad, news...
Hugs,
Ash
Comment from syndactl
Very emotional and moving piece Jan. It is well-written and well-presented and it tugs on the heart strings. Great job!
-syndactl
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Very emotional and moving piece Jan. It is well-written and well-presented and it tugs on the heart strings. Great job!
-syndactl
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much for the wonderful review.
Jan
