War Stories...then and now...and always

There are reasons to fight and serve, but they are much more infrequent than those in power would have you believe.

And then for the media to treat it like a sporting event and politicos to take the high ground is ridiculous. There is nothing civil about war ! There are no rules !


As a graduate of gladiator schools here and there and conflicts declared and otherwise, that makes me more qualified than most to tell war stories for I know the truth of them.

The truth is that war stories, REAL WAR STORIES, are waking nightmares that do not mellow with retelling or remembrance. They are horror stories that leave oozing, open scars on your soul and, if you are wise, you try not to salt the wound too often.


There is no glory in winning "great battles" because they are about pain and blood and death, horrors previously unimagined, with only the fact that you kill and mame better than your opponent and get to survive. No honor, no glory, only survival.

When I hear naive, idealistic young warriors without combat experience or their families speak of honor and serving their countries, it makes me sad to realize that for most of them enlightenment will come only at the moment of death or loss, if they are "lucky enough" to get to reflect for a few seconds. Many die ignorant of the fact that it was not for freedom, or right, but for the arrogance and power of those who do the ordering but not the dying. A flag in a case and half hearted condolences cannot replace a son, daughter, father, mother, brother, or friend. The flag rots, the case cracks, the memories fade and the pain dulls but 20 years later the loss remains. And what was gained?


In the heartbeat before the abyss I know they wonder why. They want to kiss the girl, hold the baby, hug a family member, eat a cheeseburger, laugh with a friend, at least one more time, not die in the dirt for someone else’s political or economic agenda.

They may go because of orders, ideology, or a hundred other "excuses" but they fight for their lives.


As far as the "Geneva Convention" and rules of war and engagement go, the American Revolution was fought largely by "terrorists" without uniforms.

Freedom fighter or terrorist? Depends on where you fight, who you fight, your point of view, and whether you win or not.

Winners write history and losers are always evil.