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Open Poetry #50
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My Husband
| Open Poetry #50 |
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My Husband |
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Starmcneil 1955 Member Posts 174 Alberta, Canada |
My Husband I recognized it when I first met him the hyper vigilance, looking about, ready for action When I looked into his eyes I saw clearly the scars Combat fatigue it was once called Today we know the truth of Combat PTSD I needed to know his pain filled story I was born and raise an army brat Then married to a soldier I knew dozens who were afflicted and experienced these terrifying scars This telling is true with documents News reels and even one with him Dancing and singing with Lorraine McAlister When she visited the troops in Korea at Christmas His was the duty to drive and protect her So young to witness the atrocities he saw And had to take a hand in ending the life of another His mother begged him to stay But his father told her to let the boy go His father said “Son do your duty but don’t do anything to embarrass your mom” He heard the call from Canada for volunteers To fight the communists in Korea Facts are he went to sigh up at fifteen In 1950 the age was 18 to go overseas So, he lied about his age and made himself 17 Then the testing began and being so young he just did as told The tests were for IQ so they knew where to put the men His tests scored so high he was sent for Special Force training At fifteen he just followed orders with no understanding how different he was and the kind of training he would receive Nine solid months of intense training Across Canada and into the States for specialty training RCMP taught to kill with your bear hands He knew he was the youngest and determined to be the best He became the best and was only 2 jumps away from getting his wings they were called to ship out In was 1951 and he was sixteen Trained to react without thinking he was the best Arriving in Seoul he was assigned to a commanding officer And after fighting their way to the front line He was given his first assignment Today special Forces work in teams and groups But in Korea his commander had only one When given assignments he would pick 6-7 men to go Today he realized he picked single men only He never lost a man but did have to carry some back to their lines It was his job to go behind the lines and fulfill his duty To protect the main army so they could advance to overcome the enemy There is much that would have made him hesitate without the training But he just reacted and did his duty even killing with bear hands Or staying in a fox hole with a body he killed for 30 hours alone He was wounded 3 times while behind enemy lines But he never lost a man or did not fulfill his assignment Since being diagnosed Combat PTSD he finally talks He had been obeying orders to never talk for people would not believe or accept the things he had to do As soon as he arrived home he was sent for Officer Training Which he completed but never followed up on He was scared deeply within and could not talk to anyone His family never, his children and other wife never knew The scars will never heal and if you look you can see them I saw and understood those scars within Now he speaks of some experiences yet many wait He will reveal them when the time is right It was called the Forgotten War or Police Action But in truth it was an evil war with no respect for life from the enemy He is eighty-five now and we live in assisted living He is loved by the staff and knows how to bring them a smile His memories are sharp and clear Sharing them as he can taking his time He gives names and how, where and when His book is being written slowly as memories must be told Not a book like in the stores more of a binder type I think people need to hear his story but most are not interest Over the years he has become my friend, my protector And now I am proud to call him My Husband Karen McNeil 2020 [This message has been edited by Starmcneil 1955 (07-30-2020 02:57 PM).] |
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augustsky Senior Member Posts 828 midwest US |
Star,Such a Compelling story! My Highest respects to your husband. Your love for him shines throughout this piece. Well done.. Sky~ Sometimes..Miracles are just good people |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
That's quite a story, Karen. Bless you, both. |
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Starmcneil 1955 Member Posts 174 Alberta, Canada |
Sky...thank you...he is a pretty amazing guy...we find new documentation all the time that proves all he has told...me...still so much has to come out yet but some of the weight of keeping silent is having a more calming effect...thank you for your comment |
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Starmcneil 1955 Member Posts 174 Alberta, Canada |
marchmadness...to have lived even this little bit at 16 absolutely amazes me...the scars will never go away but as he talks the weight get less for him to bear...when something triggers a memory I know which questions to ask to bring the memory to the surface and how to check for proof of such...he remembers names, ship, commanding officers and so much more...he has a letter of thanks from the Korean government and from his commanding officer...sorry for rambling...I am very proud of him and wish his story could be told to many others...thank you |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
What an amazing story, and awesome bravery at just sixteen years young! Thank you for sharing this. I'm not much of a history person, but personal stories like this are way more interesting than learning dated timelines in any history class I've ever taken. "How much is real? So much to question |
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Starmcneil 1955 Member Posts 174 Alberta, Canada |
Temptress...thank you...you have no idea...they were ordered to remain quiet but we know that is the worse thing they can do...we have published his book once and I am working on adding to it as his memories flow...I can't imagine the things he experienced...I am like you I really like person realities...take care and have a great day |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
"But in truth it was an evil war with no respect for life from the enemy " No war is respectful, Karen. This is a beautiful testimony. I am glad your husband is able to speak of what happened and I am sure your understanding eases him greatly in this endeavor and his overall being. Michael |
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Starmcneil 1955 Member Posts 174 Alberta, Canada |
Thank you, Michael...I have such compassion for him and love to see his eyes light up when he relieves his heart of a bitter memory...he loves the Korean people and says he would do it again...his family crest says that the Marko name are defender those who work the land...thank you for reading |
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