Cycles
(February 10, 2011) |
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| Old soldiers sit reminiscing over the past wars of their
vanished youth. The urgent tingle of increased adrenalin
stirs briefly in their veins, roused by the sight of today's
untested youth preparing for war.
Just look at them,
vibrant in the latest military garb, some armed with the
same weapons their elders had carried so many years before.
Others hold new, modern weapons as they set off to offer
their all to restore peace in this current round of
international hostilities.
There's a hint of moisture
in the old soldiers' eyes. Is it from pride in the bravery
and dedication of the young people before them? Do the old
vets empathize with the youngsters moving off to this
ultimate of life-altering experiences? Or, is it due to
reawakened memories of the lost friends who marched off in
like manner so many years ago, and who never came back?
Perhaps it's the sad knowledge that these cherished
young people will inevitably learn the truth of their own
vulnerability and will rudely, abruptly, and forevermore
cease to be youths.
Of course, it could just be a
reaction to some errant dust or pollen on the wind. Maybe
‘mature' eyes naturally growing watery with advancing age...
No, no – take a closer look – those tears come from deep
within. |
 By Thurman P. Woodfork
Copyright 2005
About
Author...
Thurman P. Woodfork (Woody) spent his
Air Force career as a radar repairman in places as disparate as
Biloxi, Mississippi; Cut Bank, Montana; Tin City, Alaska; Rosas,
Spain and Tay Ninh, Vietnam. In Vietnam, he was assigned to
Detachment 7 of the 619th Tactical Control Squadron, a Forward Air
Command Post located on Trai Trang Sup. Trang Sup was an Army
Special Forces camp situated about fifty miles northwest of Saigon
in Tay Ninh province, close to the Cambodian border.
After Vietnam, Woody remained in the Air Force for nine more years.
Visit
Thurman P. Woodfork's site for more information | |
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