“Grandson asked”
Grandson asked
A Poem by Coyote Poetry
Would be a better world if we saw with the eyes of the children.
Memorial poetry
I stopped by the nearby location for the Memorial day celebration. There had a flag for every Soldier killed in the new wars. I took my grandsons with me. This time with each flag was a photo of each soldier and where he was killed.
I found my three friends I served with. I stood by one of my friend photo lost in Iraq and I wanted to fall down with sadness. A older man came up and tapped my shoulder and told me. This is a sad place. I’m a Vietnam Vet from Holly, Michigan. I wanted to show respect to my brothers lost to war. I told him. I have three good friends here and I had to visit them. He saw in my eyes great sadness and he told me. We must remember them. We must live for them and appreciate every day we are alive. My five year old grandson saw my sadness and he asked. Why are you sad Grandpa? I told him I have friends here. They were killed in war. His five year eyes got bigger and he asked. Why did they have to die in war? I looked at my missed friend face and I told him. I don’t know. I gave him a gentle tap on the head and told him. I wish I knew why?
The man from Holly, Michigan name was Glen. He told me he took medicine for agent orange. He showed me the punctures wounds on his hand. I asked him. Was he alright? He told me I’m alive and fighting still. Each new day is a blessing. My grandson asked Glen. Why are all these soldiers dead? His mind racing with new questions. Glen looked at the flags and told him. I don’t know.
Two soldiers from different wars trying to find peace and understanding with flags of heroes faces surrounding them. I did a silence prayer to the God of life and death. Please lord, please take care of my brother soldiers. Protect their families and please don’t allow them to be forgotten.
Coyote/John Castellenas
No words, John. Thank you for sharing your memories and touching writings with us. It’s a great way to honor their memory.
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We can’t forget the people who gave all. Thank you Noora for reading and the comment.
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I’m sorry for your heart ache John. I can’t imagine what you and your brothers went, and continue to go through. With the loss of my WW II veteran friend today, I felt such sorrow. He shared his stories with me. I felt honored that he shared any of his feelings with me. And I appreciate you and your new found friend Glen’s answer to your grandsons. Why? “I don’t know”. Most honest answer I think.
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Some questions don’t have answers. Old Soldiers rarely talk of war. The WW11 vet must have trusted you.
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I know ‘that’ question doesn’t have an answer. I have yet to hear an answer that makes any sense.
This WW II vet and I met many years ago and I think he liked that I listened, and wanted to listen. I think he needed to talk because I didn’t have to ask. He just needed to talk. It was an honor to bear witness to his stories of his training, his friends, his family, his service. All were connected.
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I agree. Old timers talk to me. Common bond of soldiers.
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I see that when I see them together.
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