Personal Narrative: My First Vietnam War

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I had the dream again, flashbacks from 1949. I had just been drafted to fight in World War II, at the young age of twenty. I was filled with American pride ready to take a stand for what was right; justice, freedom, and liberty. Orientation was strenuous, filled with long hours of physical training. The next morning I awoke and every muscle in my being was sore. All soldiers were also required to be familiar with battle tactics. I was trained to know what to do in every situation imaginable. The day finally came to board the plane. I was feeling nauseous and had a steady flow of adrenaline rushing through my body. The thought of being shot at, or even worse being taken as a prisoner of war was weighing heavily on my mind. I fought my mind …show more content…

All of which looked like walking skeletons, there was no color in their skin. I was informed by a high ranking official that this was a concentration camp. A Jewish man came up to me thanking me for what I had done. His dark brown eyes were filled with great joy from being liberated, yet there was an underlying sadness from all the pain he had endured. We quickly made our way through the camp trying our best to help the sick and feeble. I awoke, my pulse racing, my pajamas soaked with sweat. It was all just a terrible dream. I survived the horrific events events of WWII that I had witnessed. Such a terrible reality. So much death and carnage. So many of my friends didn’t make it home. Why wasn’t I killed? How could the German’s treat the Jews so wickedly? How could they so ruthlessly murder those who did not harm them? The image of the Jewish man’s face is seared in my mind, his hollow eyes cry out to me for justice. I could not save him but he endured so much suffering. I wish the dreams would stop haunting me in my sleep and I dread closing my eyes in sleep; for I fear the dreams will return. The doctor told me I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, I will never be the same. I had the dream again and I’m afraid it won’t be the last

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