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Sue Spitulnik

Writing, Sewing, Travel, and Thoughts

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VietNam

Mac’s Story – Part One

Join the Army they said

You’ll become a MAN

Little did “they” know

I became like a drop of water

In a pool of soldiers

Giving up identities

Losing our roots

Creating an everlasting bond

Running together

Thinking as one

We shipped out as a unit

To the jungles of Vietnam

Heavy survival packs

Weighted down with ammo

We followed orders

Though we didn’t believe

We ate little

We slept little

We had no baths

Why are we here

Go take the mountain

We moved as droplets

Seeing when the water falls

It doesn’t run clear. It runs RED

Mac’s Story – Part Two

I survived the mountain

And others after that

My comrades fell

Running red

I had the chance to love

Producing a beautiful son

Unaccepted by his grandfather

We were sent away

My survival was for him

Our own country turned on us

The caring lady Nan was not deterred

She loved us both

Shunning the scoffers

We opened our lives

Helping other veterans

Looking for no thanks

A vacation to Niagara Falls

One winter season

Went terribly wrong

Red lights shining on water

Sent my mind spinning

To horrible killing fields

I barely survived

I’m sorry. I hate waterfalls

Written in response to Charli Mills April 11, 2022, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase, water falls. Where is the water coming from? How does it shape a story? Who does it involve? Go where the prompt leads!

Muddy Water Memories – flash fiction

The band was packing their instruments when a young man approached Mac. He stuck an old photo of two men, one supporting the other, in a muddy rice paddy apparently in Vietnam in front of him. “I’m wondering if that’s you on the left?”

Mac stared at the photo…”Billy Metott.”

“My grandfather. He says you saved his life that day. I wanted to tell you he’s doin’ well and say thank you.”

“How did you find me?”

“I’m attending college near here. He saw the bar’s name  when he passed by and thought it must be you.”

“I’ll be.”

(Part two)

Mac handed the picture back, wiped the tears from his eyes, and finally looked at the young man. “The truth about that day is nobody lived without the help of a buddy. Why didn’t Billy stop in?”

“Fear he was wrong. Memories.”

“That I understand. Your name?”

“Colm, after my father.”

When the band members heard the name, their curiosity peaked. They heard Mac say, “Sorry about the name. I’d like to get together with your grandfather. Maybe we can save each other from some future bad dreams.”

“He’ll agree to that. I’ll let him know.”

“Thank you, Colm.”

Written in response to Charli Mills October 30, 2020, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about life savers on any body of water. It can be a formal Coast Guard, historical or contemporary. It could be an individual who unexpectedly takes on the role. Go where the prompt leads!

National VietNam War Veteran’s Day

I dare say there are millions of people born after l980 that have no memory of the Viet Nam war, what it cost our country and more importantly what it cost the men and women that fought in it. Many of the participants went to “the Conflict” because they were drafted. Others went out of duty to their country. Unfortunately almost all came back to jeers and were afraid to be seen in public with their uniforms on. I find that disgraceful. Continue reading “National VietNam War Veteran’s Day”

A Marine’s Memory

 

Thank you Dave Cole for your service and for sharing the reality of war. (I know this is really long, but may give a non military connected person a taste of why we always stand for the flag )

Happy Marine Corps Birthday to my Marine Corps friends that I still remember killed in Vietnam Battle Continue reading “A Marine’s Memory”

Whole Family Serves

I have learned the hard way that families who have never had a military member have no understanding of what being deployed is all about. To those who have a deployed member or have paid the ultimate sacrifice, I salute you. You are what makes this country free and you are the ones that understand what the U.S. flag means to those who fight for it. Thank you! Continue reading “Whole Family Serves”

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