Reviews from

Letter From Vietnam

Lost in Transit

28 total reviews 
Comment from Wendy G
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

A very authentic and realistic piece of writing, very moving and emotional. Ironic that the letter should arrive so late, but on Valentine's Day. There must have been many who endured such distress and grief both during and after the war, that one and others, because of loved ones not returning or being changed irreparably.
Best wishes for your entry in the contest.
Wendy

 Comment Written 12-Oct-2021


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
    Thank you for the lovely review and kind stars, dear Wendy. Blessings always,
    Sal XOs. ..
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

How very sad to be parted from family and loved ones in a war that had no end and of course this was a futile war that could never be won, a poignant write Sally filled with sadness, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 12-Oct-2021


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
    Thank you for the tender review and compliments. It is so appreciated. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal XOs
Comment from Liz O'Neill
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

With your use of allusion, this is a very believable letter as if it were copied from a soldier's letter home. There is a lovely, bitter-sweet irony. One of my classmate wrote back to me. It was powerful. But the one that spoke the loudest was the one Jody wrote to his favorite priest who read his letter to the congregation. In it, it sounded like Jody knew he was not going to make it back. It was soon after, he was killed. This is a good topic.

 Comment Written 12-Oct-2021


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
    Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your own personal comments. It is most appreciated. Sending you my very best,
    Sal XOs
Comment from Cindy Warren
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I've heard some horror stories about that war. I feel for the ones who have had to endure it, or any war for that matter. That letter seemed so realistic. Good luck in the contest. I think you have a good chance.

 Comment Written 12-Oct-2021


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
    Thank you for the tender words in review. It was realistic as our family waited for letters from Steve which mostly came very late to us. The real report of things was always inside. When he came home he told us story after story of the war.
    Sending you my best today as always,
    Sally XOs
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hello Sally.

This is a touching story about one who lost his life in Vietnam and was never able to see the new life he helped to create.

As long as America continues to jump into undeclared wars these sad stories will also continue.

Good luck in the contest.

PAL Z


 Comment Written 11-Oct-2021


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
    Thank you for the lovely review and for your service. The second means the most. Blessings to you and yours always,
    Sal :))
reply by Robert Zimmerman on 12-Oct-2021
    You're welcome Sal, and thank you.

    PAL Z
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Beautifully told, Sally! You always write these moving love stories so well. You honor our Vietnam soldiers who gave their all in this story. Good use of the letter to show their relationship. Best wishes in the contest!

 Comment Written 11-Oct-2021


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
    Thank you for the lovely review and generous compliments. Both mean so much! Love and blessings always,
    Sal XOs
Comment from Ben Colder
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I understand this, and glad he and her built strength with one another, whereas I got a dear john letter letting me know she was having too much fun to wait. LOL. Well done, Sal.

 Comment Written 11-Oct-2021


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
    Thank you for the wonderful review and for your service. Your former girl did not deserve you. I see you had a better loving person waiting. Blessings always,
    Sal XOs
reply by Ben Colder on 12-Oct-2021
    An old schoolmate, Yep, married for 57 years6 kids, yes, I think so.
Comment from Gert sherwood
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Sally, your heart breaking true story is so sad to read.
There are many places that made feel me sorrow for you.----

It's February 14th, 1989, and we have a grown son, Ray. He is a fine man and a Marine, as well. He was cradled in my arms when your body came home from the Perfume River where you and the others fell in the Battle of Hue.
Gert


 Comment Written 11-Oct-2021


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
    Thank you for the tender review and compliments, dearest Gert. It means so much. Blessings always,
    Your Sally XOs
reply by Gert sherwood on 12-Oct-2021
    Sally Law
    You are most welcome.
    Gert
reply by Gert sherwood on 12-Oct-2021
    Sally, you are most welcome.
    Gert
Comment from BethShelby
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This was a terrible war and the soldiers who fought and died in it didn't get the recognition they deserved. I know of many who died, or were taken prisoner. I have a friend who is having surgery this week to remove shrapnel he has throughout his body. He was a war prisoner for 21 months and his weight went from 180 to 95 pounds. He prayed to die. You story is a good one told from the point of view of the wife who carried on in spite of heartbreak.

 Comment Written 11-Oct-2021


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
    Thank you for the wonderful review and generous comments. Thank you for the personal story of your close friend. My brother was wasted from his Agent Orange exposure. The last time I saw him (1974) he was much altered. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal XOs
Comment from WalkerMan
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Every war creates situations like this, though a delayed letter (less common but still a real occurrence in some cases) certainly adds to the relevant emotions of family and friends of the fallen soldier.

You evoked maximum emotion by giving us the words of the soldier's young bride before his deployment, the letter he wrote which was delayed for over two decades, and her reaction when it finally arrived -- fittingly on a Valentine's Day.

Not all predeployment marriages are fruitful, but this one yielded a son apparently walking in his father's footsteps, but hopefully not to the same fate.

Being an empath, my eyes misted for the sake of those, like you, who have lost someone to war, whether during or after conflict.

Superb, and aptly illustrated.

 Comment Written 11-Oct-2021


reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
    Thank you for the tender review and generous stars, Mike. Both are greatly appreciated. I had this written and waiting for a contest. I had to trim it down a bit for the 400 word count. I could go on and on. Sending you my best today as always,
    Sal :))
reply by WalkerMan on 12-Oct-2021
    You are most welcome, Sal. It is a moving story. -- Mike