War

As a child, I was somewhat charmed by something my Father told me. When he was a child, he heard stories told by actual Civil War survivors. It amazed me that I knew someone who knew someone who fought in the Civil War. The span of generations. Wow!

My Father fought in WWII before I was born. I was born amid the Korean Conflict. My Uncle Bobby fought in that one. He and my Father spoke of war as though it was some great adventure.

Maybe, not so.

THE KOREAN WAR

The Vietnam Era happened as I hit adulthood. While I was giving birth, there were people my age and younger dying. I never really did figure out why my friends and family members were dying. There was talk about Vietnam keeping Red China from invading my country. Not a terribly convincing argument to me. When deaths were mounting and nothing was accomplished, when popular opinion was asking "Why?", the war was called a draw. No winners only losers.

Lots of losers

THE VIETNAM CONFLICT

So, here I am nearing sixty, watching the children of my friends dying in yet another war. Iraq. As I watch Democracy eroding in this country, I am told that these children are dying in order to bring Democracy to Iraq. The huge oil reserves there have nothing to do with it. I wish I could believe this. I can't.

More loss.

THE IRAQ WAR

Men, fathers, sons. Women, mothers, daughters. All dead and dying. How many cures for diseases are buried? How many great artworks? How much great literature? How many hopes and dreams?

There is one more picture I want to share. I was unable to find it this morning, but I will. And then my story will be complete.

WHAT ON EARTH IS WORTH THIS? FINIS ADDENDUM:

Heart-Wrenching

Painting by Robert Carter