Letter From Vietnam
Lost in Transit28 total reviews
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
This is so amazingly touching, dear Sally. It is written in a voice that has experienced war-related loss, and your pen tells of events, long passed, that will forever go down in history. You've written a fictional account that contains so much reality. I love the twist that has the letter arriving two decades later. Hundreds of thousands of lives were altered -- or ended -- by the War in Vietnam.
Can you remember for how many decades it was referred to as a "conflict"? A conflict is something that happens when two people argue over a parking space.
You chose a very effective video, to go with this story. It really shows the intensity of the violence, that was so hard for fragile humans to survive. Our youngest, our brightest, our best -- so many were sent to the swamps of Nam, to be slaughtered, tortured, maimed, traumatized, for an unwinnable war, and those who returned alive, did so, for the most part, without fanfare or gratitude.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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This is so amazingly touching, dear Sally. It is written in a voice that has experienced war-related loss, and your pen tells of events, long passed, that will forever go down in history. You've written a fictional account that contains so much reality. I love the twist that has the letter arriving two decades later. Hundreds of thousands of lives were altered -- or ended -- by the War in Vietnam.
Can you remember for how many decades it was referred to as a "conflict"? A conflict is something that happens when two people argue over a parking space.
You chose a very effective video, to go with this story. It really shows the intensity of the violence, that was so hard for fragile humans to survive. Our youngest, our brightest, our best -- so many were sent to the swamps of Nam, to be slaughtered, tortured, maimed, traumatized, for an unwinnable war, and those who returned alive, did so, for the most part, without fanfare or gratitude.
Comment Written 11-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thank you for the tender review and generous stars, dear one. I agree, this was far more than a conflict, a bloody war with worldwide repercussions. My South Vietnamese sister-in-law returned to Southeast Asia after Steve was laid to rest to look for missing family. She never returned to the United States. I am hopeful she found missing siblings, or possibly aunts and uncles. Her parents had been killed at the beginning of the war by the Vietcong.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally XOs
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Wow, Sally. That's very painful, to lose a brother that way. I hope you still hear from your sister-in-law sometimes, but if you don't know whether she found her birth family, then maybe not. It's terrible that her parents were killed by the Vietcong! It was so brutal over there. We have a neighbor, Mr. Long, who is Vietnamese, he walks with a limp and is on dialysis; who knows what he endured?
You must still miss your brother. I miss mine, but at least he lived to age 44, and didn't die violently. Did you ever tell me before, that you had a brother?
Thanks for sharing this.
Love always, Mary Kay xoxo
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Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I have brothers-a-plenty! Two biological, three step-brothers. My mother remarried when I was twelve and divorced again when I was nineteen. I never saw Steve after 1974. He was living in Washington state and we were in Florida. My step-brothers were born in Okinawa, my step father was a Marine Corps Major. All are dead except for Robert and Suzy. He lives in Georgia with his wife and family in my hometown. Suzy is not far away from Rob, about an hour north, and lives with her husband, Chuck. No kids. Suzy is a corporate executive. :))
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You're very welcome, dear Sal. Isn't "Suzy" also your Realtor-friend in your novella series? A nod to your sister? Very sweet.
You began with a fairly large family. It's hard to lose so many people. But praise the Lord, you've also added some :-)
God bless you all! Love, Mary Kay xoxo
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Yes, I have as big family. Praising God for His blessings. XOs
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Amen!
Comment from l.raven
Hi Sally, tears...even fictional...
there were so many who did lose their lives in Vietnam...
and Agent Orange exposure was a nightmare...what we're they
thinking...there are still families...their children suffering from it...
my brother fought on the Mekong Delta river in Vietnam...they delivered the supplies to the soldiers in battleships...and at one point they were no longer aloud to write anyone...they were in some kind of a silence mode...
he did come home...and never talked to much about it...painful memories...
I'm so sorry my sweet friend for the loss of your stepbrother Steve...he is now in a better place...
I love your story told...very well written sweet girl...and I love the picture...Full Medal Jacket...one of the best movies made...love you...Linda xxoo
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Hi Sally, tears...even fictional...
there were so many who did lose their lives in Vietnam...
and Agent Orange exposure was a nightmare...what we're they
thinking...there are still families...their children suffering from it...
my brother fought on the Mekong Delta river in Vietnam...they delivered the supplies to the soldiers in battleships...and at one point they were no longer aloud to write anyone...they were in some kind of a silence mode...
he did come home...and never talked to much about it...painful memories...
I'm so sorry my sweet friend for the loss of your stepbrother Steve...he is now in a better place...
I love your story told...very well written sweet girl...and I love the picture...Full Medal Jacket...one of the best movies made...love you...Linda xxoo
Comment Written 11-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thank you for the tender and sweet review, dearest Linda. I would expect no less from your sweet heart of compassion. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service. I am so sorry for your great loss. My Green Beret brother, Steve, trained the ARVN in guerrilla warfare and weapons training. He was an amazing person and brave soldier.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sal XOs?xos?.
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Sally he sounds like he was an amazing man...
and in spirit still is...I know we will see our loved ones again...but truthfully...I would rather have them here with me...sigh...
five months...and I miss my older sister so much...we will see them again...
and you sweet angel are so welcome...sending you my best as well...much love xxoo
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Yes, we will. We carry them in our hearts forever. Nothing changes that. Love you, sweet girl, Sal XOs...
Comment from Hitcher
Your story is one which could find a place in any war, any country and by millions; man's hunger for war is a tragic recurring nightmare unfortunately sally. Sons, husbands, brothers and fathers risk everything to go fight in wars. Mothers, wives, sisters and daughters have to deal with the consequences/sacrifices made by loved ones.
Your story telling was refined here friend and I wish you well in the contest.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Your story is one which could find a place in any war, any country and by millions; man's hunger for war is a tragic recurring nightmare unfortunately sally. Sons, husbands, brothers and fathers risk everything to go fight in wars. Mothers, wives, sisters and daughters have to deal with the consequences/sacrifices made by loved ones.
Your story telling was refined here friend and I wish you well in the contest.
Comment Written 11-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thank you so very much, dear Hitch. Your kind review of my story is greatly appreciated. My very best to you and your family,
Sal XOs
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
That was so sad, yet, also nice that her husband's letter arrived when it did all those years later. I like how you start the story, and then we get to read the letter. Then as a bonus, we get to meet the son who was named after his father. So sad, yet, beautiful. Well done, Sal, another lovely story. Good luck in the contest. :)) Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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That was so sad, yet, also nice that her husband's letter arrived when it did all those years later. I like how you start the story, and then we get to read the letter. Then as a bonus, we get to meet the son who was named after his father. So sad, yet, beautiful. Well done, Sal, another lovely story. Good luck in the contest. :)) Sandra xxx
Comment Written 11-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thank you for the lovely review and kind compliments. Sending you my best today as always,
Sally XOs
Comment from Melodie Michelle
EXCELLENT story and the storyline is very interesting! Keep up the good work my friend!
Thank you for sharing and may God bless you and your family;-)
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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EXCELLENT story and the storyline is very interesting! Keep up the good work my friend!
Thank you for sharing and may God bless you and your family;-)
Comment Written 11-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thank you so much for the kind review and stars. Sending you my best today as always,
Sal XOs
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;-)
Comment from Sherry Asbury
How well you wrote this, Sally. Even though fiction...it is reality personified. Lost my fiance in that war and never recovered fully. Too self-righteous to allow sex, I never had a child I would have cherished. You did such a fine job with this!!!
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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How well you wrote this, Sally. Even though fiction...it is reality personified. Lost my fiance in that war and never recovered fully. Too self-righteous to allow sex, I never had a child I would have cherished. You did such a fine job with this!!!
Comment Written 11-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thank you for the wonderful review and generous stars. Both mean so much. Sending you my best today as always,
Sal xoxo's
Comment from royowen
My brother was wounded in Vietnam. He was conscripted in the late sixties, put up with severe jungle training in Queensland and was posted to Vietnam, but came home and raised a family, but died five years ago. This is beautifully written dear Beth, this would have been typical of many I'm sure, well done my friend, good luck, blessings Roy
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reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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My brother was wounded in Vietnam. He was conscripted in the late sixties, put up with severe jungle training in Queensland and was posted to Vietnam, but came home and raised a family, but died five years ago. This is beautifully written dear Beth, this would have been typical of many I'm sure, well done my friend, good luck, blessings Roy
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 11-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thank you for the lovely review and kind compliments. Sending along my very best,
Sal xos
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Bless you
Comment from Ric Myworld
Wow, this one smacked me in the face like a wet mop about knocking me off my feet. Now I just wish I had a six to reward it properly. Thanks for sharing another fine story.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Wow, this one smacked me in the face like a wet mop about knocking me off my feet. Now I just wish I had a six to reward it properly. Thanks for sharing another fine story.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 11-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thank you for the wonderful review and generous virtual six. Your comments mean so much to me. Sending you my best today as always,
Sal :))