A WELL EARNED PURPLE HEART
Non-fiction by G. Perez


Many of us have wondered what it would be like to experience war. Many of us dream of becoming a hero. We fear death and injury but we know we are there for a purpose. No one is forcing us to participate. Yet we don't go on our free will. The call to action will never be heard by anyone. This war has been going on for years, but only one will participate.

Everyday is a struggle as no one seems to be on his level of combat. Death occurs daily in this war. But the victims are all imaginary. The injured soldiers in the many battles are all familiar to him. He can pause time and conversate with all combatants as he smiles because war is hell. There are no true enemies in this war, Only friendly enemies.

He knows the only way to loose is to continue fighting. He loves the battles, lives for the action and is up to the task. But he understands that war destroys everything in it's vicious path. The bullets sound like familiar words, as they fly by him at a rate of speed only known to a warrior. Opening fire will result in a lethal barrage that can not be changed once it is unleashed. The decision to fire is a daily one, as he is a veteran of many battles.

During the brief periods of rest he contemplates ending the war. The world would benefit from peace. The world needs peace. As time goes by he decides to take shorter and shorter breaks. Eventually he will go for long periods without resting. This is not because he is mighty strong, it is to avoid the thought of peace. He knows he can rest whenever, but chooses to fight to the end.

Anger will change a man. War will change a man. An angry man in war will change his version of reality to justify his actions. This is a must to remain sane. Even the best soldiers fail at this task. To live a lie is to live in a blind world. A blind man can feel what others can see. Handicaps are everywhere in this veteran, only none can be seen.

A change of clothes or a shower are useless to him because he has lost his feeling of well being. He wants more action. He is now an addict and his drug is war. Addictions are extremely powerful. Only veterans of addiction can attest to this. As time goes on he is now tired. The motivation is no longer there.

Help has arrived for this lonely soldier. He has never been in a war with anyone who reflects a real shadow. Now he is filled with confidence and feels as if he can accomplish anything. Victory is on the horizon and he knows this. He understands that being a veteran of this war is not his fault, even though he was not drafted. He must now pack up his gear and head into a new life, never forgetting the battles that earned him a Purple Heart.

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Posted 12/24/2007