Answered Prayer
War can push us closer to God13 total reviews
Comment from C. Gale Burnett
Tom, I love this.
I'm just a wee bit younger than you, but I remember well being glued to the old black & white TV set watching Walter Cronkite on the 6:00 news. His coverage of the Vietnam War was extraordinary; my uncles were fighting in that war.
I'm a girl but my favorite toys were an army helmet (passed down by my cousins, once belonging to their father), army soldiers my grandmother had given me, and later a GI Joe doll which I had asked for at Christmas. I did not understand at that young innocent age what war meant in reality until Nam came along, and I would hear my parents' whispers.
Tom, you set this story up well: your detailed imagery of your war games as a child. Extraordinary imagery describing the images of war you witnessed while watching the news. Then the sickening shock hearing Don's brother had been wounded, and Don's mom asking yall to pray (yes, I'm a Southerner) and that being when reality hit home.
The last paragraph was beautiful, telling of your unrelenting pleas to God to save your friend, and God answering. War and prayer certainly go side by side.
The story was skillfully written and beautiful every which way you looked at it. Your author notes are exceptional, offering more detail on war in general and the effect it has on those watching from home. I especially loved your emphasis on prayer being a lifeline to God when one is in the midst of war (battle).
Enough said. This was damn good.
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2021
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Tom, I love this.
I'm just a wee bit younger than you, but I remember well being glued to the old black & white TV set watching Walter Cronkite on the 6:00 news. His coverage of the Vietnam War was extraordinary; my uncles were fighting in that war.
I'm a girl but my favorite toys were an army helmet (passed down by my cousins, once belonging to their father), army soldiers my grandmother had given me, and later a GI Joe doll which I had asked for at Christmas. I did not understand at that young innocent age what war meant in reality until Nam came along, and I would hear my parents' whispers.
Tom, you set this story up well: your detailed imagery of your war games as a child. Extraordinary imagery describing the images of war you witnessed while watching the news. Then the sickening shock hearing Don's brother had been wounded, and Don's mom asking yall to pray (yes, I'm a Southerner) and that being when reality hit home.
The last paragraph was beautiful, telling of your unrelenting pleas to God to save your friend, and God answering. War and prayer certainly go side by side.
The story was skillfully written and beautiful every which way you looked at it. Your author notes are exceptional, offering more detail on war in general and the effect it has on those watching from home. I especially loved your emphasis on prayer being a lifeline to God when one is in the midst of war (battle).
Enough said. This was damn good.
Comment Written 14-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2021
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Thanks so much for the six star review Gale. I used to watch Walter Cronkite on the news. That was back when you could actually get the news, not some adulterated version of it in hopes of influencing your opinion. For some reason we're a hard headed people and at times only pray when there seems to be no other way out of the mess we're in. God forgive us. Thanks again my friend.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
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It was seriously good and I am so glad you shared it. A perfect contest entry.
Comment from Dr. Nad
This is a well-written ~ War Story ~ writing prompt entry. Best of luck in the contest. I like how you were able to demonstrate different aspects of detachment, children playing with toy guns, and routinely attending school without the prospect of being drafted at age 16. Thanks for then bringing it home with the wounding of Bill.
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2021
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This is a well-written ~ War Story ~ writing prompt entry. Best of luck in the contest. I like how you were able to demonstrate different aspects of detachment, children playing with toy guns, and routinely attending school without the prospect of being drafted at age 16. Thanks for then bringing it home with the wounding of Bill.
Comment Written 14-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2021
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Thanks so much for the excellent review Dr. Nad. The Vietnam War had quite an impact on the Baby Boom generation. It was the first time that I can recall that people weren't behind the government's decision to get involved. It was a very unpopular war and many people thought we could have been out of it sooner if we had used all the power available to the military at the time.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
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You are welcome, and blessings on you.
Comment from Patty Palmer
I think this is a well-written thought out story for the contest about war. You made it sound very real. I know that because I was a kid during the Viet Nam War period. Good luck with the contest.
Patty
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2021
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I think this is a well-written thought out story for the contest about war. You made it sound very real. I know that because I was a kid during the Viet Nam War period. Good luck with the contest.
Patty
Comment Written 14-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2021
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Thanks so much Patty for the six stars. It was certainly a trying time in our country's history. I've been reminded recently that we weren't alone in fighting the communist regime, we had allies from Australia and other commonwealth countries. I think initially France was involved in the war. War is always a terrible thing, but if people don't stand against tyranny, it will take over the world. Thank you again for the exceptional review, I'm honored.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment from Wendy G
Sad story, but well told, with realism and authenticity. There are no atheists, true. And with wars, there are frequently no winners, and there is no lasting peace. Best wishes for your excellent entry.
Wendy
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2021
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Sad story, but well told, with realism and authenticity. There are no atheists, true. And with wars, there are frequently no winners, and there is no lasting peace. Best wishes for your excellent entry.
Wendy
Comment Written 14-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 14-Oct-2021
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Thanks so much for your kind review Wendy. You've spoken wisely about war. As long as we live in a fallen world there will be war, regardless of how much treasure or blood is spent in the pursuit of peace.
Have a blessed day gal.
Tom
Comment from writer723
I really enjoyed reading your intriguing story. It drew me in and held my attention throughout. Your description of this scenario was quite thought-provoking and emotional. Your writing skills are excellent and you have a wonderful gift of expression.
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2021
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I really enjoyed reading your intriguing story. It drew me in and held my attention throughout. Your description of this scenario was quite thought-provoking and emotional. Your writing skills are excellent and you have a wonderful gift of expression.
Comment Written 13-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2021
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Thanks so much for your wonderful review. The Vietnam Was era was an unsettling time for this country. So many views that had been held for years were changing and the country was becoming divided along philosophical lines. A number of young men who were against the war migrated to Canada to avoid the draft and often when soldiers came home they were met with anger and loud mobs shouting at them. Not at all what their parents or grandparents experienced at the end of WW II. It was the beginning of a cultural change in America and we're still seeing the results I believe.
Thanks again. Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you for sharing the memories and how different it was to play at war compared to the reality of young men whose lives were lost. It must have really hit home with those local boys' names being shared on the news. Great ending to focus on the answered prayer for your friend's brother. Best wishes in the contest!
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2021
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Thank you for sharing the memories and how different it was to play at war compared to the reality of young men whose lives were lost. It must have really hit home with those local boys' names being shared on the news. Great ending to focus on the answered prayer for your friend's brother. Best wishes in the contest!
Comment Written 13-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 13-Oct-2021
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Thanks so much for your kind review. War, like most tragedies,
doesn't really hit home for most people until it becomes personal.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment from royowen
My brother was in Vietnam in 1967, he was wounded, but I didn't pray, I didn't know God at that time, but he returned fitter than I ever knew him. He passed away only five years. Yes, it was a very interesting time. Beautifully written Tom, an excellent entry in this contest, good luck, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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My brother was in Vietnam in 1967, he was wounded, but I didn't pray, I didn't know God at that time, but he returned fitter than I ever knew him. He passed away only five years. Yes, it was a very interesting time. Beautifully written Tom, an excellent entry in this contest, good luck, blessings Roy
Comment Written 12-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thanks for your review Roy. On American TV there was little mention of our allies fighting, at least not that I can remember. I wonder if your guys caught hell at home. It was a tough time in history. The hippie movement was getting going here at the time and lots of talk about love, but I guess it didn't extend to our boys who were coming back home.
Have a blessed day Roy.
Tom
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We certainly did,
Comment from LisaMay
You have caught the flavour of the times with authenticity in your story. It was easy to get wrapped up in our own lives until the war became personal. I was in Australia in the 60s and 70s - our boys were getting drafted into National Conscription and sent to Vietnam. It seemed so far away and pointless, until my brother got called up.
I'm glad Bill, in your story, benefited from the power of prayer.
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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You have caught the flavour of the times with authenticity in your story. It was easy to get wrapped up in our own lives until the war became personal. I was in Australia in the 60s and 70s - our boys were getting drafted into National Conscription and sent to Vietnam. It seemed so far away and pointless, until my brother got called up.
I'm glad Bill, in your story, benefited from the power of prayer.
Comment Written 12-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thanks for your review Lisa May. We have a tendency to not pay much attention to things that don't impact us directly. I suppose it's all part of the human condition. I hope your brother made it home OK.
Blessings.
Tom
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My brother had a medical exam and didn't pass - they said he had flat feet, so he didn't go! Better to have flat feet than a bullet in the brain. Maybe he bribed the medical officer; he was a rotten brother. He got caught flat-footed in a robbery later. Being in the army might have sorted him out... or maybe it would've equipped him for shooting people and made him worse.
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Oh my. It's hard to say what the direction of his life might have been. My older brother got an exemption because of college I believe. I know that the military helped a lot of younger guys who didn't have a direction.
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My brother died several years ago. We were never close becausee of things he did to me in childhood. I used to wonder all the time why he couldn't have been a better brother to me. He was a cuckoo in the nest in an otherwise loving family. (We were both adopted... he must've had bad genes.)
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I'm sorry to hear that. It's always hard to understand how members of the same family can turn out so different.
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I hope you have been blessed in your own family relationships.
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I have indeed, thank you.
Comment from PoemsOfDD
This is an excellent personal account of how war can grip our lives to nose dive at a flip of a switch. Your descriptive account allows the reader to see and feel the atmosphere at that prime time. Thank you for sharing this honest story. Enjoy the six shower. ~DD
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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This is an excellent personal account of how war can grip our lives to nose dive at a flip of a switch. Your descriptive account allows the reader to see and feel the atmosphere at that prime time. Thank you for sharing this honest story. Enjoy the six shower. ~DD
Comment Written 11-Oct-2021
reply by the author on 12-Oct-2021
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Thanks so much for the generous review. It was a trying time for so many Americans. The war was unpopular, the country was undergoing a cultural shift and families were being given the worst possible news they could receive. I'll certainly bask in my six shower.
Have a blessed evening
Tom
Comment from pookietoo
That is a great war story. It sounded like Bill survived. Do you enjoy writing stories? I am learning how to write great stories. Happy Columbus Day. :)
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 11-Oct-2021
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That is a great war story. It sounded like Bill survived. Do you enjoy writing stories? I am learning how to write great stories. Happy Columbus Day. :)
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 11-Oct-2021
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Thanks so much for your review. I do enjoy writing stories, as well as reading them. I do better I think at non-fiction, but I'm learning to embrace fiction by reading so many fine stories on this site. Happy Columbus Day to you as well.
Blessings
Tom
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You are welcome. Did Bill survive?
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Well this was a fictional piece with some facts, and yes Bill did survive and in later years became a preacher because he promised God that if he came out alive he would dedicate his life to God.
