A few weeks back, in the veteran’s expression writing group I was a part of, we were given a prompt based on Tim O’Brien’s novel The Things They Carried. We could write about whatever we wanted using the prompt “The Things They Carried.” Some people made itemized lists like O’Brien did throughout the book; others took it in wildly different directions. I decided to try to write some of my story in the vein of O’Brien. I was intrigued by his constant usage of repetition as a device to carry the story. So, instead of a Vietnam infantry platoon, my story is about convoy operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Side note: as with O’Brien, this may be true to the story and not true to the facts. Take that for what it is and enjoy.
Stan, It is your truth. My memoir coach has told me multiple times that memory is not perfect and should not stop us from writing our truth. We suffer and survive as part of our purpose. Telling people your story is also part of fulfilling your purpose.
That’s good stuff! O’Brien really got me thinking about HOW to tell a story that is true but may not be factual, meaning the essence of what happened to get to the greater truth and dude it’s got my wheels turning. I wasn’t a “cool guy” on deployment doing special stuff BUT I think I did what many many people did and these stories don’t get told, so it has galvanized me to figure it out and honestly fiction is making more sense to me. Haha long long sentence to say dude I appreciate you.
Thank you for this story. I’m glad you are writing about your time and glad you made it back.
My dad was a Marine in Vietnam and a semi-orphaned kid. He’s 84 years old, mostly alone since he’s chased anyone off who has loved him, except me, and is crippled by alcohol and old age.
I firmly believe that writing something somewhere along the way would have helped him.
Don’t try to stop!!! You are good @ it. I’m sure it helps so many that have been your shoes in similar situations.
Your same ole story is proof that life can go on after war. It shows you can still have a sense of humor. It shows your experiences & what you do with them can open doors you never thought possible. It also can lead to healing by encouraging people to share their thoughts, & feelings about being in the military & being deployed!
It may help the people who have never been through these situations to begin to understand why so many battle PTSD, depression, feeling lost defeated.
In the book I referenced he writes “I’m 43 and still writing about the war” or something to that affect and it really resonated haha, despite trying to stop writing about it, I find new ways to tell that same old story. I’m okay with it haha
I had no idea you carried all that stuff! Must have been exhausting in that heat over there. I am going to try and find that book at the library and read it. Thanks for sharing. There is truth in remembering there is always one wack off in every group!! Love and hugs!!
Most days a lot of that stuff stayed on the trucks once we carried it there. Some stuff, like weapon and body armor stayed on while we were on missions. I wasn’t hiking far with it usually haha. I guess the joy of riding in convoys is the trucks carried us lol.
Stan, It is your truth. My memoir coach has told me multiple times that memory is not perfect and should not stop us from writing our truth. We suffer and survive as part of our purpose. Telling people your story is also part of fulfilling your purpose.
That’s good stuff! O’Brien really got me thinking about HOW to tell a story that is true but may not be factual, meaning the essence of what happened to get to the greater truth and dude it’s got my wheels turning. I wasn’t a “cool guy” on deployment doing special stuff BUT I think I did what many many people did and these stories don’t get told, so it has galvanized me to figure it out and honestly fiction is making more sense to me. Haha long long sentence to say dude I appreciate you.
Thank you for this story. I’m glad you are writing about your time and glad you made it back.
My dad was a Marine in Vietnam and a semi-orphaned kid. He’s 84 years old, mostly alone since he’s chased anyone off who has loved him, except me, and is crippled by alcohol and old age.
I firmly believe that writing something somewhere along the way would have helped him.
Thanks for sharing. It’s definitely important to get that stuff out and writing has been a way to help me process stuff over the years.
"We carried things no one needed to places no one cared to go."
One of your best!!
Thanks bro, I’ve used a version of that line a few times and love the idea of it haha
I am just thankful for all the men & women who took journeys like these
I am especially thankful for the ones who came back to share their experiences!
❤️
I hope so!!!
Don’t try to stop!!! You are good @ it. I’m sure it helps so many that have been your shoes in similar situations.
Your same ole story is proof that life can go on after war. It shows you can still have a sense of humor. It shows your experiences & what you do with them can open doors you never thought possible. It also can lead to healing by encouraging people to share their thoughts, & feelings about being in the military & being deployed!
It may help the people who have never been through these situations to begin to understand why so many battle PTSD, depression, feeling lost defeated.
Thank you Stan!
That’s good insight. I think I have a fiction book in me based at least in part on that deployment so here’s hoping I can pull it off in 2025 haha.
In the book I referenced he writes “I’m 43 and still writing about the war” or something to that affect and it really resonated haha, despite trying to stop writing about it, I find new ways to tell that same old story. I’m okay with it haha
I had no idea you carried all that stuff! Must have been exhausting in that heat over there. I am going to try and find that book at the library and read it. Thanks for sharing. There is truth in remembering there is always one wack off in every group!! Love and hugs!!
Most days a lot of that stuff stayed on the trucks once we carried it there. Some stuff, like weapon and body armor stayed on while we were on missions. I wasn’t hiking far with it usually haha. I guess the joy of riding in convoys is the trucks carried us lol.