Whether it’s been family, close friends or acquaintances, it’s been my privilege to know many members of the armed service. I think many who have served could identify with The Sand Strom, because it is telling soldiers’ stories, not the news spin or political drivel. I appreciate being able to “just listen” to each story, though they are ruthlessly honest and hard to hear.
In the play, MARINE/SGT CASAVECCHI expressed an interesting sentiment concerning war stories: “You’re supposed to go through absolute Hell, become something so base you can’t hardly believe it’s still you, but whatever you do, if you make it home…keep it to yourself” (Huze 1). There are many things this play has made me think about, the isolation of veterans is one of them. I have heard comparatively few war stories, even from Viet Nam veterans. I think there are a couple reasons for that. Number one is social taboo, folks want to hear about adventures but not about harsh realities. We are comfortable knowing vets. are able to “protect” us, but we really don’t want to know what that involved. We just want them to be able cope with it, and get on with civilian life. I also think it takes too much energy on the part of the veteran to tell their stories; so many just don’t try. They are too tired. They are tired of war, of travel, of MRE’s,…of everything, to bother trying to make someone understand what they’ve been through, except perhaps someone who has shared experiences. I think it is the forgotten part of “Supporting our troops.” They can be home but need time to “come back”, without feeling isolated.
The best example I can give of this, is the community response when a friend of ours returned from Iraq. His Marine Wife, a calling of its own, asked the community welcome him back with poster and ribbons-and give them some space. It was touching to drive through town and see welcome home signs all over. When the family was ready, after a short vacation, they hosted a get together. There was allowance for readjustment without isolation.
Works Cited:
The Sand Storm. BY Sean Huze. Dir. David Fofi. Perf. The Elephant Asylum Theater, New York, Jan2004.
Photos used with permission, Mrs. Brig Pleitgen, Marie Wife.
No comments:
Post a Comment