A long time ago a young man answered his countries call to duty. He had no choice in the matter, but even if he had, it would never have crossed his mind to refuse. He crossed paths with another young man, no call to duty there, just a young man looking to purge his demons. They shared an insanity together and then returned to the world they had left behind.
One took on a new duty, husband and father. The other continued to chase his demons. They kept in touch, one had a son, the other a daughter. Their paths did not cross, but each knew of the other.
Last year in early November a young man died in Afganistan. They showed his picture and listed his name on CNN. A phone call was made. He did not the die the quick painless death the padre tells you about when he comes to your door. He bled out, it was a long and painful death, the kind of death both young men had seen and shared too often.
Last week an old man cleaned off an old Colt, Model 1911A1. He chambered a round, put the barrel under his chin and pulled the trigger.
I got a phone call this morning. I'm going to go away for awhile. I'm going to take him home.
One took on a new duty, husband and father. The other continued to chase his demons. They kept in touch, one had a son, the other a daughter. Their paths did not cross, but each knew of the other.
Last year in early November a young man died in Afganistan. They showed his picture and listed his name on CNN. A phone call was made. He did not the die the quick painless death the padre tells you about when he comes to your door. He bled out, it was a long and painful death, the kind of death both young men had seen and shared too often.
Last week an old man cleaned off an old Colt, Model 1911A1. He chambered a round, put the barrel under his chin and pulled the trigger.
I got a phone call this morning. I'm going to go away for awhile. I'm going to take him home.
