The Things They Carried

The Things They Carried was a very interesting story. It reminded me of the life that I grew up around. I am a military brat as they call us. Growing up in that environment one get used to life's ups and downs alot faster than the typical civilian. There are long deployments, months of field training, mobilizations...and the list goes on. Up until 2001 I was living near Ft. Stewart, GA - one of the most rapid deploying bases in the Southeastern United States. When the World Trade Centers were hit and the subsequent increase of troop presence in Afghanistan. My step-father had recently separated from the service but that did not make him immune from being "called up" (reinstated) if needed. I was mortified at the thought.

Being that environment allowed me to see mass amounts of troops being deployed overseas and hear stories of ones who did not return. In the Things They Carried O'Brien writes " They carried all the emotional baggage of men who might die. Grief, terror, love, longing - these things were intangibles, but the intangibles had their own mass and specific gravity, they had tangible weight." This was very profound to me because it accurately portrays the mind set of most soldiers. When they get the call that they are heading for war, their minds begin to race about family (parents, wives, children) and for the single ones girlfriends or fiancees. People see soldiers and see the external courage that they portray when they are in uniform but emotionally sometimes they are a train wreck. In their mind are mental Polaroid snapshots of the ones that they love and are taking up arms to protect.

When preparing for war they have to prepare as if they are not coming home. Can you imagine? The tears of the family as they say what could possibly be the last goodbye?!? Or getting that phone call or seeing the chaplain standing on their door step. The things they carry emotionally not only affects them but all those connected to them. It becomes shared load - not just by the immediate family but an entire community.

There were more than a few instances in the story where it kept being reiterated that "Ted Lavender died" this is crucial because these are some of the things that they carry - memories of fallen friends and comrades. Soldiers see unimaginable things while in the midst of hostile situations - things we may never know.

This story really hit close to home for me and made me think of all the ones who sacrifice for our freedom.


FYI: Fort Stewart has a dedication memorial called Warrior's Walk - a Eastern Redbud is planted for every solider connected to that division dies and to date there are over 400. Here is the link: http://www.stewart.army.mil/warrWalk/default.asp