My Brother, Me,and Vietnam
A brother seeks revenge for the killing of his brother15 total reviews
Comment from RodG
This story is a deserved winner of the contest. I voted for it. You have superbly narrated the story of a young man who went to Vietnam and fought in order to avenge his brother. We get sharp impressions of what a combat soldier's life was like. Rod
reply by the author on 17-Sep-2024
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This story is a deserved winner of the contest. I voted for it. You have superbly narrated the story of a young man who went to Vietnam and fought in order to avenge his brother. We get sharp impressions of what a combat soldier's life was like. Rod
Comment Written 17-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 17-Sep-2024
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Thank you. I have written several stories based on my brother. I can only hope I am accurate in my description's.
My goal is help those were not there. To have some idea of what those guys went through,
Comment from tempeste
Ciao!
I read your account and it was indeed very convincing. You give much insight in the life of a combatant.
Your source was your brother 's recollections.
You did a brilliant job putting his emotions , thoughts on paper.
Your brother went to hell and back.
I'm glad he survived and with the help of his mates and medics was able :
to stop drinking and
to face and overcome the horrors, PTSD symptoms and all those negative emotions like depression anxiety , panic and grief that war produces.
I'm glad John got his life back on track and you got your brother back.
So many soldiers return but they end up victims of drugs or alcohol.
I like to believe that opening up to you helped your brother too.
It's sad that we have not learned much since then.
Today the world is on the verge of WW3.
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2024
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Ciao!
I read your account and it was indeed very convincing. You give much insight in the life of a combatant.
Your source was your brother 's recollections.
You did a brilliant job putting his emotions , thoughts on paper.
Your brother went to hell and back.
I'm glad he survived and with the help of his mates and medics was able :
to stop drinking and
to face and overcome the horrors, PTSD symptoms and all those negative emotions like depression anxiety , panic and grief that war produces.
I'm glad John got his life back on track and you got your brother back.
So many soldiers return but they end up victims of drugs or alcohol.
I like to believe that opening up to you helped your brother too.
It's sad that we have not learned much since then.
Today the world is on the verge of WW3.
Comment Written 12-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 12-Sep-2024
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Thank you so much for the very kind review and rating. I love my brother dearly. Those years of alcoholism tested my love for him. I thank God every day for having John back to the brother I knew before Vietnam. Unfortunately, like all soldiers, those horrible memories never leave them.
America is crumbling much like Rome did. I pray it does not happen. I think about my children and grandchildren. What will the future be for them.
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Yes, America is crumbling and it will take down Europe and the West.
and what's worse we can only blame our leaders and their actions.
The war in Ukraine is a mess and in Gaza the situation is tenfold worse.
Billion are being spend in warfare.
This open border policy during the Biden administration has allowed 8 million illegals to enter America which has crippled your health and education system and housing market.
Then there is the transgender agenda ..this has destroyed the family unity which is the foundation of a society.
People are out of jobs, can't pay the
mortgage or their monthly bills
Elon Musk said in the next 5 years, 500,000 robots will be operative..which means still fewer jobs for people.
The future is bleak .
In the meantime, Brics is getting stronger.
Next month there will be a huge summit in Kazan Russia of the 10 members of Brics..Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
There is a long list of countries that want to join including India.
America instead has a 3,8 trillion dollar debt.
Many economists say that America is heading for another Depression worse than then the one in 1929.
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Ciao!
I just woke up and saw your entry is in the booth.
You now have 5 votes! 😐
Best of luck !🍀
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Thank you so much! That story means a lot to me. I was blessed to have two great big brothers.
r John."
Where you live seems awesome. Denise and I have been to Italy three times. The last just before covid. All three visits were north of Rome.
We hope to come back in the spring. Mostly in the south and Sicily.
We love Italy!! We spent time in some small villages. We were treated so well. Plus the food is out of this world.
Comment from Carol Clark2
This is a good story. You could tighten up the writing some, but the details are well done. You also could ask someone to help you edit your sentence fragments, and you're missing some quotation marks around dialogue now and then. But the story is compelling, hence the rating. Carol
reply by the author on 05-Sep-2024
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This is a good story. You could tighten up the writing some, but the details are well done. You also could ask someone to help you edit your sentence fragments, and you're missing some quotation marks around dialogue now and then. But the story is compelling, hence the rating. Carol
Comment Written 05-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 05-Sep-2024
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Carol,
Thank you for your review and suggestions I appreciate suggestions. They are helpful and appreciated.
Thank you again 😊
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Willing to help as desired. The English teacher never retires!
Comment from Ric Myworld
Thank your brother for his service, and I'm glad he came home and has worked his way back to the brother you remember and love. So, many of those young boy's stories don't end up with any resemblance of a happy ending. But I'm thankful for all and any that did. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 03-Sep-2024
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Thank your brother for his service, and I'm glad he came home and has worked his way back to the brother you remember and love. So, many of those young boy's stories don't end up with any resemblance of a happy ending. But I'm thankful for all and any that did. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 03-Sep-2024
reply by the author on 03-Sep-2024
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Thank you very much. I doubt I could put into words what it means to have my brother back! Several of my stories are about John.
Comment from Douglas Goff
First and foremost, Thank you! I am 100% sure that your brother, wherever he is, is extremely proud of you. Also, thanks for your service as a cop. The law enforcement life is a hard path.
I like to think we would never disrespect our veterans again, but after Afghanistan/ Iraq, where we denied them even a parade, I guess our shame repeats.
Great read. Your family is awesome.
D
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First and foremost, Thank you! I am 100% sure that your brother, wherever he is, is extremely proud of you. Also, thanks for your service as a cop. The law enforcement life is a hard path.
I like to think we would never disrespect our veterans again, but after Afghanistan/ Iraq, where we denied them even a parade, I guess our shame repeats.
Great read. Your family is awesome.
D
Comment Written 03-Sep-2024
Comment from Charles D Ezell
Interesting write about Johnson's War. You described a typical responce to many young people who were caught in the trap. As one soldier to anothe, I have the most respect for my fellow soldier either combat or post war. We all served to keep our nation free. Sending respect your way.
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Interesting write about Johnson's War. You described a typical responce to many young people who were caught in the trap. As one soldier to anothe, I have the most respect for my fellow soldier either combat or post war. We all served to keep our nation free. Sending respect your way.
Comment Written 02-Sep-2024
Comment from prettybluebirds
You left out the word (like) it looked like he had aged... The word (fled) should be (flee). You left out the word (walked). I turned and (walked) away. Just look and (listen) to me, not (listened). I walked (a way), (away). With some editing, this will be a terrific entry for the contest. My brother was in Vietnam, too, and he never forgot the horrors of that conflict. He died in 2008 of liver cancer caused by Agent Orange.
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You left out the word (like) it looked like he had aged... The word (fled) should be (flee). You left out the word (walked). I turned and (walked) away. Just look and (listen) to me, not (listened). I walked (a way), (away). With some editing, this will be a terrific entry for the contest. My brother was in Vietnam, too, and he never forgot the horrors of that conflict. He died in 2008 of liver cancer caused by Agent Orange.
Comment Written 02-Sep-2024
Comment from Shanbreen
Thank you for relating your experiences in the Vietnam war. I can't imagine how terrible it must have been for you. You wrote this piece well. There are a few grammar errors (I believe they are typos that you could edit. For example:
"One of my friends, father, had a boat," should be written "One of my friend's father..."
Similarly,
"Before they had to fled." should be "Before they had to flee."
Just minor things that doesn't take anything away from from your story.
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Thank you for relating your experiences in the Vietnam war. I can't imagine how terrible it must have been for you. You wrote this piece well. There are a few grammar errors (I believe they are typos that you could edit. For example:
"One of my friends, father, had a boat," should be written "One of my friend's father..."
Similarly,
"Before they had to fled." should be "Before they had to flee."
Just minor things that doesn't take anything away from from your story.
Comment Written 01-Sep-2024
Comment from Rachelle Allen
First and foremost, thank you for your bravery and heroism and your selflessness. Thank you for keeping my family and me safe while you chose to be in peril on our behalf and in the interest of our country's well-being. I'm sorry for what you came home to; that was so wrong. I hope those protestors have since seen the error of that behavior and feel shame and remorse for it every day.
This was a vivid and harrowing account of your year of war. Oy. I'm impressed that you were able to acclimate to everyday life after living through such traumas. Good luck with this piece in the contest. xo
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First and foremost, thank you for your bravery and heroism and your selflessness. Thank you for keeping my family and me safe while you chose to be in peril on our behalf and in the interest of our country's well-being. I'm sorry for what you came home to; that was so wrong. I hope those protestors have since seen the error of that behavior and feel shame and remorse for it every day.
This was a vivid and harrowing account of your year of war. Oy. I'm impressed that you were able to acclimate to everyday life after living through such traumas. Good luck with this piece in the contest. xo
Comment Written 01-Sep-2024
Comment from Sharon Elwell
So many of the veterans I know do not want to tell their stories or think about what they went through and did. It is a great service that you took the time and made the effort to share with us those experiences. Thank you for writing this!
reply by the author on 31-Aug-2024
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So many of the veterans I know do not want to tell their stories or think about what they went through and did. It is a great service that you took the time and made the effort to share with us those experiences. Thank you for writing this!
Comment Written 31-Aug-2024
reply by the author on 31-Aug-2024
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Hi Sharon,
This story has taught me I am a good storyteller. That was a fictional story. The Vietnam portion is all based on my older brother John's experience.
After the quote from William Shakespeare, I wrote:
This story is dedicated to my brother, John. I based the Vietnam writing on his actual stories he told to me. He survived the war but took years to come home. The war engulfed him, and he drank to solve his nightmares.
Thankfully, his "brothers" got him the help he needed. I am so proud to write John is back to being the brother I knew before Vietnam.
I ask a small favor the next time you see a Vietnam veteran. Please thank him for his service. It will mean the world to him.
The events are true. His friend Neil is actually Neil Meyer. Neil spent three months in a hospital in Japan. Once he had fully recovered, the army sent him back to complete his two months. John was furious. He knew Neil was not the same and not being the same will get you killed. He tried to convince his sergeant to transfer Neil back to a base camp where he would be safe. His sergeant, for a lack of better words, was a "dick." He refused. John talked to the other guys and told all of them they need to watch out for Neil. He made it. I actually met him at my brother's army reunion.
The lieutenant that led the night rescue attack was Lt. Michael Sprayberry. I had the opportunity to meet him as well. He is a very humble man. I asked him about my brother volunteering, even though he had only been there for a month. John, he said, would not stop pleading his case to go with him. Lt. Sprayberry admired his commitment, so he let John go with them. If you have time Google Mike Sprayberry and read his Medal of Honor commendation, it is worth reading. He told me my brother was an excellent soldier. That meant a lot to me. I love my brother dearly.
I have written a few military stories. It is my way of saying thank you to not only my brother but all Vietnam veterans. Please feel free to read them. There are also some on my website: www.rfrohm.com.
I thank you for taking the time to read my story and the very kind review.
Thank you....