For Whom The Bell Tolls
A very short commentary on something I read today.34 total reviews
Comment from ryanlion
an excellent idea for a short story. getting the message across from a personal point of view. i've often thought that all the coverage i've heard and read about the war seems cold. number of dead and names of regiments are the main memories i have of the war, because that is all i hear. personal information seems to be with held unless you look for it. governments seem to be covering it up, which is wrong.
your story hit a note with me.
reply by the author on 01-Jul-2009
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an excellent idea for a short story. getting the message across from a personal point of view. i've often thought that all the coverage i've heard and read about the war seems cold. number of dead and names of regiments are the main memories i have of the war, because that is all i hear. personal information seems to be with held unless you look for it. governments seem to be covering it up, which is wrong.
your story hit a note with me.
Comment Written 18-Jun-2009
reply by the author on 01-Jul-2009
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Many thanks for the wonderful review. It was one of the hardest pieces I ever wrote. Breaks my heart even today.
Hugs,
Jani
Comment from Lucas Hernou
It's brief but I guess it says everything in a nutshell. I'm from Europe so we're not confronted with the war like Americans are. In the news they usually portray the negative aspects of the army but every soldier is a son or a daughter or a father or someone else. I gave this an excellent rating especially because of the content. War never has a winner and it is stated tragically in this short story.
reply by the author on 23-Aug-2008
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It's brief but I guess it says everything in a nutshell. I'm from Europe so we're not confronted with the war like Americans are. In the news they usually portray the negative aspects of the army but every soldier is a son or a daughter or a father or someone else. I gave this an excellent rating especially because of the content. War never has a winner and it is stated tragically in this short story.
Comment Written 02-Apr-2008
reply by the author on 23-Aug-2008
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Thank you so much for this review. I have fallen way behind on answering reviews, having hundreds I haven't had the chance to respond to. Please forgive me for this cookie-cutter reply. If I don't do this now, before I post more work in the coming weeks, I fear I will never catch up! Please know I have read your comments, and noted suggestions and corrections. In most cases I have made the corrections you suggested! I deeply appreciate my FanStory friends.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from Norzah
A very poignant plea for stopping the death toll from rising from the Iraq war which has formally ended. Yes, the 4000th death toll might soon be rung and any soldier now resting, enjoying a cup of coffee or smoke or writing a letter to a beloved one at home, could be the unfortunate victim. Another family will be grief stricken. Yet the US is pouring more money and men into the war which has formally ended. The deaths on the other side of the fence is, of course, often forgotten, although everyone also has parents and relatives that will miss him or her. Appreciate you write up.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2008
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A very poignant plea for stopping the death toll from rising from the Iraq war which has formally ended. Yes, the 4000th death toll might soon be rung and any soldier now resting, enjoying a cup of coffee or smoke or writing a letter to a beloved one at home, could be the unfortunate victim. Another family will be grief stricken. Yet the US is pouring more money and men into the war which has formally ended. The deaths on the other side of the fence is, of course, often forgotten, although everyone also has parents and relatives that will miss him or her. Appreciate you write up.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2008
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Indeed, it did ring and it breaks my heart. Three soldiers died on Easter Sunday, raising the toll to 4000 US soldiers dead.
Thank you for the review.
Jan
Comment from iamwrite
This is excellent and heartfelt. The writing is clear and flawless. I would disagree that number 4,000 will die for your freedom or mine. Our troops aren't there for our freedom, I say this as life-long military.Iraq is Vietnam in the desert. Still, you have written with beauty and grace about a subject so far removed from either. God Bless. I'd give you a six if I had one left.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2008
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This is excellent and heartfelt. The writing is clear and flawless. I would disagree that number 4,000 will die for your freedom or mine. Our troops aren't there for our freedom, I say this as life-long military.Iraq is Vietnam in the desert. Still, you have written with beauty and grace about a subject so far removed from either. God Bless. I'd give you a six if I had one left.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much. I agree with you about Iraq being Vietnam in the desert. I think it is an un-winnable war now. I appreciate your review very much.
Jan
Comment from Leftywriter
Outstanding. Thank you, Jan, for saying what you think, which is the absolute truth. This war has been nothing less than an exercise in dumbfounding lies and stupidity. Our sons and daughters are put in harm's way for the sake of
"freedom" - while Bin Laden is still breathing, and the fault belongs with leadership.
I am so glad for you that your son got home ok. A friend whose son came back from Afghanistan not long ago is also ecstatic...she hardly slept and "walked on eggshells" for the months of his deployment.
You are a patriot. "Lefty"
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2008
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Outstanding. Thank you, Jan, for saying what you think, which is the absolute truth. This war has been nothing less than an exercise in dumbfounding lies and stupidity. Our sons and daughters are put in harm's way for the sake of
"freedom" - while Bin Laden is still breathing, and the fault belongs with leadership.
I am so glad for you that your son got home ok. A friend whose son came back from Afghanistan not long ago is also ecstatic...she hardly slept and "walked on eggshells" for the months of his deployment.
You are a patriot. "Lefty"
Comment Written 19-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much for the honor of this six star review. Please forgive my delay in responding. I deeply appreciate it.
Many thanks,
Jan
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No problem Jan, and now it is I who will apologize for not responding sooner. I've been off the site for several weeks and am debating whether or not to continue. It's not always easy to squeeze in time to write, never mind post something - I often complain that I need a twin!!
Hope all is well,
Angela aka "Lefty"
Comment from Lynn27
Hi Jan,
The writing in this piece is exellent, but the topic is very sad. You did a great job in expressing your thoughts because very clear and easy to understand.
Lets hope that knock won't come,
Lynn
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2008
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Hi Jan,
The writing in this piece is exellent, but the topic is very sad. You did a great job in expressing your thoughts because very clear and easy to understand.
Lets hope that knock won't come,
Lynn
Comment Written 19-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much, Lynn. Sadly, three soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb on Easter Sunday, raising the toll to 4000. :-(
Jan
Comment from Jonesy
I knew when I saw the handle I was probably about to read something expertly crafted and full of heart with a very "natural" feel to the writing.
I wasn't disappointed.
Whether you constantly tweak, change, rewrite or the words just flow out of you, I've seen more than once you have an ability to connect with your audience in a way that feels very authentic. At least to me.
Concerning the deaths in Iraq, I've heard for a while now we are becoming numb to what is happening, but every time the media brings it up it actually reinforces how important it is not to forget or lose sight of the sacrifice our soldiers are making.
Having spent six years in the Marine Corps maybe I'm a little more in tune with what they have to go through, but everyone should (needs) to understand what all this means. You can have whatever political beliefs you want about the war, but remembering the men and women who fought in it should never be forgotten and always appreciated.
A flawlessly executed and important post.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2008
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I knew when I saw the handle I was probably about to read something expertly crafted and full of heart with a very "natural" feel to the writing.
I wasn't disappointed.
Whether you constantly tweak, change, rewrite or the words just flow out of you, I've seen more than once you have an ability to connect with your audience in a way that feels very authentic. At least to me.
Concerning the deaths in Iraq, I've heard for a while now we are becoming numb to what is happening, but every time the media brings it up it actually reinforces how important it is not to forget or lose sight of the sacrifice our soldiers are making.
Having spent six years in the Marine Corps maybe I'm a little more in tune with what they have to go through, but everyone should (needs) to understand what all this means. You can have whatever political beliefs you want about the war, but remembering the men and women who fought in it should never be forgotten and always appreciated.
A flawlessly executed and important post.
Comment Written 19-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2008
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I deeply appreciate the honor of this six-star review. This war and the tragic loss of life breaks my heart.
Many thanks.
Jan
Comment from mmichelle97219
Those in power never send their own children to answer the call of duty. That is left to those who live in reality. I agree enough is enough, but nothing will be done until the public does one huge collective push. We need to work together. Good post.
Michelle
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2008
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Those in power never send their own children to answer the call of duty. That is left to those who live in reality. I agree enough is enough, but nothing will be done until the public does one huge collective push. We need to work together. Good post.
Michelle
Comment Written 19-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2008
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An interesting point. I felt really sorry for Prince Harry recently when the media blew his cover overseas, forcing the powers that be to return him home.
Thanks for the great review.
Jan
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That is so true. Those who step up should be allowed to do so no matter who they are.
Michelle
Comment from Magpiemazy.
Dearest Janilou,
The article is wrong. Americans do care deeply about their soldiers. Americans are proud of their soldiers and their willingness to put their lives on the line so their country continues without terrorist bombings every day. The article was written by a fool if he thinks we don't love our soldiers and cherish their families. I have yet to meet one person who doesn't know someone over there. In my case, it's my daughter-in-law's sister's husband. His wife and children moved out to Seattle, Washington just two weeks before he was deployed. Our prayers are with him always.
Counteract that article. Write the truth. In many ways, Americans can be selfish, so can every other group of people on Earth. We are also the most generous people on the face of this planet, but no one looks at that. Our soldiers go and help when all others run. Yes, that 4000th soldier will probably die, but they will die with honor and their families, who suffer so much with each loss, will know their child, husband, father and brother or mother, wife, sister died because they believed in their work enough to put their lives on the line.
Hugs,
Maggie
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2008
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Dearest Janilou,
The article is wrong. Americans do care deeply about their soldiers. Americans are proud of their soldiers and their willingness to put their lives on the line so their country continues without terrorist bombings every day. The article was written by a fool if he thinks we don't love our soldiers and cherish their families. I have yet to meet one person who doesn't know someone over there. In my case, it's my daughter-in-law's sister's husband. His wife and children moved out to Seattle, Washington just two weeks before he was deployed. Our prayers are with him always.
Counteract that article. Write the truth. In many ways, Americans can be selfish, so can every other group of people on Earth. We are also the most generous people on the face of this planet, but no one looks at that. Our soldiers go and help when all others run. Yes, that 4000th soldier will probably die, but they will die with honor and their families, who suffer so much with each loss, will know their child, husband, father and brother or mother, wife, sister died because they believed in their work enough to put their lives on the line.
Hugs,
Maggie
Comment Written 18-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much, Maggie. I really appreciate your heart-felt words.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from Wendyanne
HI Janilou. I echo your sentiments. It is time for all of this senseless killing to come to an end. It should never have begun in my opinion. Well done
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2008
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HI Janilou. I echo your sentiments. It is time for all of this senseless killing to come to an end. It should never have begun in my opinion. Well done
Comment Written 18-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2008
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Yes, it is. Thank you so much.
Jan
