'Nam

I was 18. It was the middle of August and crisp leaves whipped through the air, chasing the wind. I was waiting for a bus. I was early for it, but I didn’t mind being alone. After all, because of where I was going, this might be the last time by myself for awhile. I thought I knew where I was going…but I didn’t. I had a picture in my head of what it would be like, but the place in actuality and the place I had thought it to be were completely opposite. Nothing could of prepared me. Not the training, not any books…not the stories the ones who came back told…nothing was like where I was going. Sure, the stories did describe it somewhat, but you couldn’t help but think they were exaggerating some. But they weren’t. They we barely getting across what its really like. You can never completely describe the sounds you hear, or the smell of the air…you can never totally tell every detail of the feelings and pain you’ve felt, or the way death haunts you…Like I said…nothing could have prepared me for where I was going….there just aint nowhere else…..like Vietnam