Almost Home
The bus ride that never ends.36 total reviews
Comment from Hitcher
That was an excellent, visually engrossing, emotionally charged slice of story telling. You breathed life into the scene and captured the harsh reality of the situation. The tortured mind of a young returning battle hardened soldier trying to assimilate back the memory of normality... knowing life will never be the same again...
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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That was an excellent, visually engrossing, emotionally charged slice of story telling. You breathed life into the scene and captured the harsh reality of the situation. The tortured mind of a young returning battle hardened soldier trying to assimilate back the memory of normality... knowing life will never be the same again...
Comment Written 23-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 06-Nov-2021
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Hitcher, if I may, I would like to use your review as an intro to the piece. I am so very grateful for your insight and generous rating. R.
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I would be honored friend, go for it : )) Hitch
Comment from pookietoo
A very nice story about the soldiers. It is so enjoyable to read. I hope you continue to write wonderful stories. Have a wonderful weekend. Keep smiling.
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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A very nice story about the soldiers. It is so enjoyable to read. I hope you continue to write wonderful stories. Have a wonderful weekend. Keep smiling.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Pookie, Your review has made this a wonderful weekend.
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Welcome.
Comment from Doug Quinn
I enjoyed your literary flow. I felt the isolation that I had never thought about. I was in college during the war and never had to go; my lottery number was 346. Your writing style makes it easy to move through the words to the very end and then pause to reflect. Thank you
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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I enjoyed your literary flow. I felt the isolation that I had never thought about. I was in college during the war and never had to go; my lottery number was 346. Your writing style makes it easy to move through the words to the very end and then pause to reflect. Thank you
Comment Written 23-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Doug. I have found that writing from the truth produces a quality work. I'm glad it touched you.
Comment from Carol Clark2
Thank you for sharing this moving story. While our soldiers were facing the worst days of their lives, others were fleeing or protesting. Rarely did our veterans receive the respect and honor they deserved. Note: an uncaring dip in the road, jerking the (soldiers') heads. Sorry I don't have a six. Blessings. Carol
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thank you for sharing this moving story. While our soldiers were facing the worst days of their lives, others were fleeing or protesting. Rarely did our veterans receive the respect and honor they deserved. Note: an uncaring dip in the road, jerking the (soldiers') heads. Sorry I don't have a six. Blessings. Carol
Comment Written 23-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Carol. Your heart is in the right place and I suspect you have blessed many veterans whether you knew it or not. R.
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You're welcome. Have a blessed week.
Carol
Comment from Soledadpaz
Suggest add (that) John had not considered
Suggest delete: at their feet. Or perhaps: under their feet
(Were) responsible for smothering a soldier's hope.
Excellent paragraph!
What a unique way to describe these soldiers. We had way too many minus tens. More than the heart can tolerate. When I saw the wall in DC I was overcome. I had to reach out and touch it. To feel them. They were the boys of my generation.
The echoes. Yes, excellent description.
"But he could not return there nor could he leave." Unfortunately, this is true for so many of our vets. They are stuck in time without a support system.
A very moving story.
Sol
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Suggest add (that) John had not considered
Suggest delete: at their feet. Or perhaps: under their feet
(Were) responsible for smothering a soldier's hope.
Excellent paragraph!
What a unique way to describe these soldiers. We had way too many minus tens. More than the heart can tolerate. When I saw the wall in DC I was overcome. I had to reach out and touch it. To feel them. They were the boys of my generation.
The echoes. Yes, excellent description.
"But he could not return there nor could he leave." Unfortunately, this is true for so many of our vets. They are stuck in time without a support system.
A very moving story.
Sol
Comment Written 23-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Sol. I am glad the story touched you and reaffirmed what you already knew. Your corrections have been noted.
Comment from Kooky Clown
I enjoyed reading this and wanted to read more I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced what it must have been like to fight in any war can understand what these soldiers or any soldier go through. Then on their return not knowing what things will be like now that they are home hopefully safely. I thought it was well written but maybe needs a tweak here and there possibly. Kooky
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 07-Nov-2021
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I enjoyed reading this and wanted to read more I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced what it must have been like to fight in any war can understand what these soldiers or any soldier go through. Then on their return not knowing what things will be like now that they are home hopefully safely. I thought it was well written but maybe needs a tweak here and there possibly. Kooky
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Kooky, for your insight and compassion. Rad.
Comment from Cogitator
Having been in a similar situation more than once, I can relate easily to these words. I liken my experiences to watching a documentary of my life, detaching my mind from the activities around me. It surely got me through combat...John
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Having been in a similar situation more than once, I can relate easily to these words. I liken my experiences to watching a documentary of my life, detaching my mind from the activities around me. It surely got me through combat...John
Comment Written 23-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Cogitator / John. I'll tip one for you on November 11th.
Comment from RPSaxena
Hello Yardier,
Nice piece of General Fiction beautifully depicting safe ride to be safe with friends and family for the American soldiers from a trouble-torn Vietnam. That's why the disturbing Bus-jerk in the end doesn't provoke the soldiers in relaxed mood to protest against the sudden disturbance.
The title perfectly suits the story.
Impressive phraseology; captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end.
Interesting Indeed!
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Hello Yardier,
Nice piece of General Fiction beautifully depicting safe ride to be safe with friends and family for the American soldiers from a trouble-torn Vietnam. That's why the disturbing Bus-jerk in the end doesn't provoke the soldiers in relaxed mood to protest against the sudden disturbance.
The title perfectly suits the story.
Impressive phraseology; captivating flow throughout from the beginning to the end.
Interesting Indeed!
Comment Written 23-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thank you RPSaxena for your very generous six. I am humbled by your review and words. Rad.
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Yardier, Most Welcome!
I've not seen any piece of writing from your side for the last many days. Keep writing!
With best wishes,
~ RP
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Took a small break with my wife up to the Sierra Nevada's for a photo shoot of the high country Aspen's autumn change of color. Thanks for thinking of me.
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Wow! I'm glad to know this.
With best wishes,
~ RP
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I've always been disgusted with the terrible way you Vietnam veterans were treated when you came home. What a disgrace! Your story must have been very painful to write as it seems to me that it's still very embedded in your mind. How can a person move on after that? I hope you did. Thank you for allowing us to read the feelings of the men who came back. Sandra. xx
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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I've always been disgusted with the terrible way you Vietnam veterans were treated when you came home. What a disgrace! Your story must have been very painful to write as it seems to me that it's still very embedded in your mind. How can a person move on after that? I hope you did. Thank you for allowing us to read the feelings of the men who came back. Sandra. xx
Comment Written 23-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Sandra, for your kind words. One can't really move on, but we can grow from the past and hope others do not have to experience the same trauma. Rad.
Comment from blondie560
Just watching news or documentaries, or movies, I don't know how a person survives outside the military. The sights and sounds and smells cannot be something anyone can erase from their memory. I saw a motorcycle accident when I was maybe 13. To this day I can vividly see that bike skidding down the highway. The man was alive but his face was so bloody. My father pulled over to help and that's why
I don't even like to watch a motorcycle on the road.
Thank you for sharing your story.
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Just watching news or documentaries, or movies, I don't know how a person survives outside the military. The sights and sounds and smells cannot be something anyone can erase from their memory. I saw a motorcycle accident when I was maybe 13. To this day I can vividly see that bike skidding down the highway. The man was alive but his face was so bloody. My father pulled over to help and that's why
I don't even like to watch a motorcycle on the road.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Comment Written 23-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 07-Nov-2021
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Thank you, Blondie, for your review and insight. A Gulf War veteran asked me how I dealt with the images of combat. He wanted to know how to erase/remove them from his mind. I told him it impossible and trying to bury them with substance abuse was a fools errand. I told him taking the 'denial' approach is the first step in a walk that often leads to suicide. I encouraged him to accept the images as monuments of tragic truth and to make friends with the horror. Not to mean gloat, but to minimize the impact while understanding it was a period of time that no longer exists. What does exist, is now, along with the promise of better times. Rad.
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Such a great attitude.