My Open Letter to Todays Teens

For the Teens out there who never went to the army.....

When you happen across some older men telling their army stories, you might laugh or sneer at the "old fogies talking army" again, but pause for a moment, look at their faces and you may just see that small tear forming, the slight tremble of a lip or that sad look in their eyes then consider this;

They went to the army not by choice but by conscription. They went in at an early age - many at 17. Just out of school.

Birthdays were not spent with Mommy and Daddy and friends in celebration but most likely training, in the bush or busy with something military. And birthdays were forgotten.

They built a Brotherhood which outshines any friendship. This Brotherhood came from seeing and experiencing things that youngsters of that age were not yet supposed to experience. Death, fear,exhaustion, pain, hunger, wet, tired. You name it, they experienced it. Many of them on a daily basis.

Newly made friends died. Friends that became closer than your own family because your very lives depended on each other. Those that did not do battle had their own experiences that took years off their lives as well.

When we talk about "our time in the army", it's because we are proud to have won our families just that little extra freedom, and because it soothes the soul.

As we get older, these things catch up on us, and distant memories sometimes come flooding back bringing along with them the smells, sounds and sometimes the horrors.

So, next time you have a giggle about us chatting about the old times, spare a thought for those Teens that never got to your age because they paid the ultimate price so that you could enjoy today.

And lastly, spare a special thought for their parents that never had the privilege of seeing them grow up and have families of their own.

Sincerely
Afronaught

 

This is a great letter bud, I agree completely. Too many youth disrespect the older generation, just referring to them as "crazy boomers" (at least in the US).

You should post it to Facebook too, if you haven't. I'm sure it'll get a few shares.

 

Being a member of the ""older "generation i can remember programs on British television about the war also radio programs which still used the BFPO syntax for serving members abroad when loved ones wanted to express their love with music.We need to remind all generations about the horrors of war how it wrecks families on all sides .Why the fuck cant we not live in peace