Comment from Brindle.T

Excellent

Oooohhh, superb!

I raced through it, if there were any writing erros I didnt notice and I don't care.

What a story, thank you.

My compliments please, to your son.

Regards

Tony

 Comment Written 12-Aug-2009

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reply by the author on 12-Aug-2009

Thank you. I will pass that along. He's been back just a year and now the quiet stories come.

Comment from Arkine

Excellent

That really was a neat thing that he did. I hope the pencils didn't cause any trouble for the kids, but I also hope they enjoyed them. And he was thoughtful enough to try not to offend anyone with animal shapes and stuff like that.

I can't understand their way of thinking, I suppose they probably feel the same way about us though.

Anyhow, interesting story. :)

 Comment Written 11-Aug-2009

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reply by the author on 11-Aug-2009

Thanks. Check out my "Sergeant Gus" in my last years porfolio for a wry nod to the Marines, who have to maintain their cool when recruiting.

Comment from bc1yax

Excellent

ah the old G.I. - yes home grown - I am glad the people of the united States now understand that now - not how they remembered in the sixtys and seventys - this was very smooth story - easy to read - no sprag seen - bc1yax

 Comment Written 12-May-2009

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reply by the author on 13-May-2009

thanks. You might also like "Folded Red White and Blue" in my 'past year' portfolio. A story which I wrote when my son headed off to Iraq. Also since you mention the sixties and seventies, take a look at my spoof 'Sergeant Gus and the Day of Joy.'

Comment from apelle

Excellent

Truly inspiring !

There's such a quiet, eerie beauty to this essay.

"Democracy Is Freedom From Fear"
Amen to that !

 Comment Written 11-May-2009

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reply by the author on 11-May-2009

thanks. In one small town, they noticed small mounds or hillocks formed a large rectangle off the roadway. They asked the local sheik about that, and he said 'The foreigners (al qeda) have been warned that is our childrens' soccer field, no harm must ever come to them... so I assure you that you may consider yourself safe as you pass by that area, but please keep the speed down, for the sake of the children.' It turned out to be true the entire year my son was there.

reply by the author on 13-May-2009

thanks. You might also like "Folded Red White and Blue" in my 'past year' portfolio. A story which I wrote when my son headed off to Iraq. Also take a look at my spoof 'Sergeant Gus and the Day of Joy

Comment from RG Hamilton

Excellent

A touching story and a very clever way to "win hearts and minds". You are obviously very proud of your son and have written about him flawlessly. I wouldn't change a thing. Now, your son has one more reason to be proud of you!

 Comment Written 18-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 19-Apr-2009

Thank you. You may also like FOlded Red White and Blue, written last year when he headed out to Iraq.

Comment from Winslow

Excellent

Dear Foxtale,

This is well written and a tribute to the American GI. My dad served in WWI so he was a doughboy. Kudos to your son for doing what he did in Iraq. Wasn't GI coined in WWII?

One little nit, the opening seems rather abrupt to me.


My second son and son-in-law both served in Iraq.

Warm regards,

Winslow

 Comment Written 15-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 15-Apr-2009

Thanks, Winslow. I changed the opening a bit. Try a re-read now!
Also in my portfolio, last year, I did Folded REd White and Blue, which you may like, and Mixed Signals, which is of another war.

reply by the author on 27-Apr-2009

I checked "GI" with our local VFW and it was coined in WWI for the incoming German Ordinance. Eventually it changed to mean any military equipment. Then between the wars it meant Army equipment, then by WWII the public and press changed it again to mean the soldier. Jeep was also GP (General Purpose.) Funny story in our family: The 'Tarzan Club' at the high school built the generators and alternators for about 50 jeeps. A year later my Uncle ended up in Europe. Just before the Battle of the Bulge he was with a mortar patrol and one morning the jeep wouldn't start. His squad leader who'd grown tired of the Tarzan story, said "Hey Fox, tell your club thanks for nothin."

reply by Winslow on 27-Apr-2009

Dear Fox,

Thanks much for finding out the info on GI.

Warm regards,

Winslow

reply by the author on 13-May-2009

Your vets might also like my spoof posted in my "Past Year Portfolio" called 'Sergeant Gus and the Day of Joy

Comment from rhymer1

Excellent

A delightful true story about someone of value who leaves each place he visits better for him having passed through.
Slainte, rhymer1

My recollection is that G.I. stood for general issue.

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 12-Apr-2009

ok thanks. I'll change that in the story.
You might also like 'Folded Red White And Blue' which I published last year when my son left for Iraq.

Comment from Kingsland

Excellent

this was a very well written and interesting piece to have read. I liked reading this piece about true life and positive thing that our soldiers are doing in other countries. This was my pleasure to have read and reviewed it... John

 Comment Written 02-Apr-2009

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reply by the author on 02-Apr-2009

Thank you.
You may also like Folded Red White and Blue in my last years portfolio.
How my son's deployment awakened a long ago memory about our flag.

Comment from LexieMannix

Excellent

I'm a lover of just about any documentary going when I have the time, and I've seen a lot of different footage of American soldiers doing similar things to your son's. You only have to watch the men's faces to know that their whole hearts are in it; the human face of war. This was wonderfully written, poignant and to the point. I'm sure your son would feel proud of you for honouring his brief relief to the kids. Excellent write, I enjoyed it. Cheers.

Lexie

 Comment Written 20-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 20-Mar-2009

Thanks. You may also like my Folded Red White and Blue,in my six months porfolio, about this dad's experience coming full circle with his son.

reply by LexieMannix on 20-Mar-2009

Sure, will take a look.

Comment from OldVet

Excellent

Good for you--and him. I remember seeing a news film during the invasion of a Marine tank tossing out Frisbees to the kids as the crew drove through one of the towns. At the time I thought, no matter what happens, that's something those kids will never forget.


Then, should a village elder[,] or an insurgent[,] or even a town bully [When using a common conjunction to link several items, a comma is not needed.]

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2009

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reply by the author on 11-Mar-2009

conjunction function
thanks!
Also you may like Folded Red White And Blue in my six months portfolio

reply by OldVet on 11-Mar-2009

I'll take a peek. Thanks!

reply by the author on 13-May-2009

You might also like my spoof 'Sergeant Gus and the Day of Joy'