Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 8

Flashback

By
SD Hatfield
www.sdhatfield.com

To recap todays top story for August 2, 1990. The Iraqi military has invaded Kuwait
and US officials the CNN reporter continued. Jimmy put down the magazine and focused on
the news report. His gaze moved from the television to the wall of family photos, uniforms and
flags were the general theme across the generations. Watching the tanks rolling through the
streets of Kuwait, he could see himself joining the uniform parade on the wall.
At only seventeen and not yet graduated, the uniform wouldnt be easy to get. A signed
parental waiver could solve that problem, but getting his father to sign would be difficult. Jimmy
held his breath as he walked into the kitchen where his father was reading the paper. Dad, we
need to talk.
Whats on your mind? Dad set his paper down and took a drink from his coffee.
Jimmy sat and took a deep breath.
Did you see the news this morning?
The Iraq thing? Ive followed it some.
We talked about me joining the Corps after school; I was thinking that I could get a head
start on that. Jimmy tried to be nonchalant, sounding like it wasnt a big deal. Dad set his
coffee down and pushed away from the table.
Jimmy, do you honestly think I would sign the papers?
Dad, its our family tradition.
No, a family tradition is opening presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas
Morning. The fact that we cant seem to avoid going to war is unfortunate.
Dad, you were my age when they shipped you to Vietnam. Jimmy watched his fathers
expression change. He went from calm and understanding to anger.
That was different, the anger slid from his face and his voice grew quiet. Thats all.
No, youre not going to join.
Dad, cmon--
Final.
Fine. Jimmy left the table and stormed towards his room. He would have to reconsider
his tactics before approaching his father again.
Fall came and school started. The updates from the Gulf grew more ominous, but Jimmy
knew better then to push the issue. Since their talk his dad seemed different, more quiet and
withdrawn. War hung heavy in the air and Jimmy reached the point he had to try again. His
father at the kitchen table, reading the paper like always; Jimmy sat down at the table.
Decided to stop avoiding me? Dad questioned as he kept reading. Jimmy started to
talk; he knew he had to be careful.
Dad, I dont understand. You, Grandpa, his dad, back to the Revolution, weve fought.
Why cant you give me this? You volunteered for Vietnam didnt you? I know you werent
drafted. The paper fell to the table.
I wasnt like you. I wasnt good in school. The military was my only choice. What do
you think war is? A video game? You have no idea what war is.
Ive read about it. I know what its about.
Get in the car.
What?
Lets go for a ride.
Where?
Ill show you what you wont find in a book. Dad got up from the table and grabbed
his keys next to the door. Jimmy followed, not sure what was going on. They didnt speak as
the car flew through traffic. Jimmy figured out where they were going, the VFW. His father had
talked about the place, but Jimmy had never been there. The building was small and squat, only
one story and just larger than an average house. Like most of VFW halls this one had WWII era
Sherman tank in the front.
Do you come here often, Dad? Jimmy followed his Dad to the front door.
Sometimes... His voice trailed off. The inside wasnt what Jimmy had expected. In
his mind it was going to be sports bar; smoky, dim and a game on the television. It was very
different. The main room had several tables and a few couches. Long book shelves took up one
side of the room and a table on the far side held boxes of donuts and a coffee machine.
Several men were sitting around one table playing cards, several more reading on the
couches and more than one taking advantage of the snacks. He expected old men in wheelchairs
that should have been in a nursing home. Instead almost all of them reminded him of his Dad.
Several minutes had passed since they entered and Jimmy noticed he was standing alone. His
father had started making the rounds. Stopping at each person, shaking hands and saying hello;
Jimmy had never seen his father so animated. Dad sat on one of the couches next to someone
that could have been his brother, after a quick exchange he motioned for Jimmy to come over.
I want you to meet a friend of mine. Jimmy crossed the room and stood in front them.
Jimmy, this is Tom Jordan; we were in Nam together.
Mr. Jordan. Jimmy threw his hand out to shake. Tom and Dad laughed. Jimmy didnt
realize why until Tom held up his arms and showed he had no hands. Jimmy flinched and took a
step back out of reflex.
Dont be rude Jimmy.
Its good. First time here, Jimmy? Tom wasnt offended; if anything he seemed
amused.
Yes, sir. Jimmy recovered from his embarrassment.
Have a seat. I have to see a couple of guys. Tom wants to talk to you. Dad stood up
and offered Jimmy his seat. With a little hesitation Jimmy sat. Ill be back.
So Jimmy, your Dad tells me you want to join early. Tom twisted on the couch to face
Jimmy.
Yes sir. My country needs me.
Yep, I understand that. Same reason I went to Nam.
You werent drafted?
No. Your father and I signed up day after Graduation.
Its family tradition, Jimmy said with pride.
What?
Thats why Dad signed up. We have a long history of military service.
Hmph.
What?
Youre Dad didnt want to go. His father forced him.
No. He volunteered.
Your Grandfather threatened to cut your Dad off if he didnt enlist. Your Dad hated the
idea of the military, but he and your mom were already engaged. Without your Grandparents
they couldnt afford to get married.
It doesnt matter. Jimmy tried to reconcile what he was hearing with what he knew.
He got through all right.
You think?
He still has all his fingers.
Touch. Look Jimmy, if you think your Dad was untouched you dont know him.
How do you mean?
Did you know he has nightmares about the war?
No.
Have you ever seen him get really angry for no reason?
Once or twice.
Jimmy, your father suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Shell shock?
Yeah, shell shock. You know he cant sleep for more the 2 hours at a time? Drives your
mother crazy.
I didnt know.
He would never tell you. He comes here once a week for therapy. Hes made a lot of
progress, but he still isnt the guy I knew before the war. Just isnt right.
Thats why he brought me here?
He doesnt want you to get wrapped up in the glory of war. War sucks. Doesnt mean it
isnt necessary, just means no one in their right mind wants to go.
You did.
Im damned proud of it and all the boys who went into that jungle. My pain is physical.
Others like your dad, it isnt that easy.
I see.
Jimmy, this war wont last. Live your life, finish school; thats what he wanted me to
say. Join the military because you want to, not because you need to. Dont fret. Im sure
therell be another war sooner or later. Just live first. Tom held his stubs up for emphasis and
laughed. Oh, and play some volleyball for me would you? Jimmy couldnt help laughing. He
didnt notice his dad standing behind him.
Set him straight, Tom?
Ask him.
Jimmy?
Lets go home, Dad. He nodded, put his hand on Jimmys shoulder and slapped Tom
on the leg. It wasnt until they were on the road that Jimmy spoke. You could have told me
yourself.
I didnt want you to think I was making anything up just to change your mind.
Are you ok, Dad?
Most of the time. Some days its worse then others. Tom and our Mom help.
Id like to help, too.
Id like that.
Do you think anyone would mind me hanging around the VFW?
Not at all.
Jimmy sat quietly letting everything sink in. Ill join when its my time.
Itll come. Today isnt it.
No. I see that.
Therell be another war, always is. I dont ever want you to go through what I am. Wars
dont end when the shooting stops.
I get that now. Jimmy realized what had been left out of the books. He wasnt in a
hurry anymore. When his country needed him hell be there, until then he knew what was
important. He had his family and a new friend. That would get him through for now; until the
next war came along.

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi