Joining John Holton’s Writer’s Workshop again this week.
Thanks for the opportunity, John!
Prompts:
- Write a post based on the word military.
- Write a post in exactly 8 lines.
- Write a list of movies that always make you smile.
- Choose a social media platform (e.g. Facebook, X, Instagram etc.) and tell us what you love and hate about it.
- Tell us about a time you had to go to court.
- Tell us about your best friend from the old neighborhood.
I went with 1. A post based on the word military.
REMNANTS OF A LIFE
My father was an officer in the Canadian army for 26 years, joining up fresh out of university.
His first command as a young Lieutenant was on the front lines of the Korean War.
Although not wounded physically, he returned home with malaria, white hair (at age 26; it had been dark brown when he left) and an addiction to alcohol.
Never did he speak of his wartime experiences and refused to answer questions about them.
He had horrible nightmares on a regular basis and I believe he suffered from PTSD, although it wasn’t recognized at the time.
We weren’t all that close when I was younger, but developed more of a bond in later years. In 1987, at age 60, he was injured in a car accident and quit drinking.
Following his death in 2011, I discovered a treasure trove of photos and other memorabilia from his military career, now proudly displayed in my home. Thank you for your service, Pops. I miss you!
To view all participants’ entries, and/or join the workshop, visit John:
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
31 thoughts on “PRECIOUS MILITARY MEMORABILIA 🪖🎖️📯 | #WritersWorkshop ✍️”
That’s quite a collection you have there! It’s good to remember this side of him. This is quite a tribute.
Yes, I was thrilled to find the military hardware, as well as the photos. 🙂 Thank you, John.
This is a wonderful tribute to you father, Debbie. I enjoyed seeing all the medals and everything, too.
Thank you, Kymber! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the tribute.
Excellent, whatever was wrong has resolved itself. I can’t remember what I wanted to share with you other than I’m grateful for your dad’s bravery and service. Like your dad, I had uncles to serve all returning physically 100% but mentally one had a mental breakdown. Combat is a nightmare that most us truly can’t relate to. All you can do is offer support. I know you’re very proud of you dad and it must be a real honor to display his military memorabilia. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, good! 😅 Technical problems are such a pain and this comment form is notorious for those. Yes, the invisible scars of war can be lasting and severe. I was thrilled to find my father’s medals etc., and am proud of his service. Thanks for coming back, Cathy!
I tried the other day to leave a comment but couldn’t. This is a test to see if works.
Arrgh! You know, I resisted using the Jetpack comment form all these years for that very reason. Too many glitches! 🫤 Since I have more followers on WP.com now who use the WP Reader, I switched to make it easier for them. Here’s hoping it behaves from now on! 🤞 Thanks for persevering, Cathy. 🌹
A lovely tribute to you dad, Deb. And I enjoyed looking at the memorabilia. 🙂 x
Thanks, Deb! 🙂 I was thrilled to find all that stuff.
Iconic. 🙂
How nice to have your Dad’s memorabilia, Debbie. I salute your Dad and I am grateful to those who served.
Yes, I was thrilled to find all that stuff buried in a drawer. 🙂 Thank you, Eugi.
You’re welcome, Debbie.
Wonderful that you have all that memorabilia. I read enough war stories to understand the basic reasons why someone wouldn’t want to talk about it. I’d like to think I could… but more grateful I’ll never find out.
I can only imagine the horrors of war and do understand why people wouldn’t want to relive them. MASH was one of my favourite TV shows, but my father would leave the room whenever I turned it on.
That is so very amazing and thanks for his service.
Thank you, Patrick. I appreciate the visit. 🙂
It’s unfortunate what war does to those who serve. They can be proud of the men they became while serving, but the price they pay afterward for years often makes the time away from family and loved ones tarnished.
Thank you for sharing the photos and info on your dad. That’s good that you reconciled and had a good relationship in later years.
Yes, no good ever comes from war and the survivors are “broken” in some way. My father was a mean drunk, and when he quit drinking, it was a whole new world! 🙂 I never got along with my mother, so having a good relationship with him in later years was wonderful. Thanks, Linda! 🙂
That was my grandfather – a mean drunk and his personality left a lot to be desired when he was sober as well. I wrote once how I slid down to the floor and bit him on the ankle as he called me stupid for mispronouncing French words. We studied Parisienne French in elementary school. He grew up in Quebec. I got in trouble for doing that but he deserved it.
I am so sorry about your dad. But I am grateful for his service.
Thank you, Thomas! 🙂 At least my father could quit drinking and life got much better for him (and us) after that.
What a career your Dad had, and what a price he paid. I personally knew two war veterans (one a relative) who turned to alcohol to deal with memories they would never disclose, and that, in turn, impacted their lives and families. But our species continues to war, despite the terrible costs. Alana ramblinwitham
Thank you, Alana! 🙂 Sadly, alcoholism is rampant in the military. When my father quit drinking, it was like a whole new world. War is devastating for all.
My dad was a regular soldier from 1936-1947, before he married and I was born. He served through WW2, but had an ‘easy war’, as an artillery instructor out in India training Indian troops. Once I got into my teens, we didn’t get on so well, and he left my mum for another woman when I was 24 years old. I had similar mementoes, but he took them all when he left.
Best wishes, Pete.
Your dad was lucky he escaped the horrors of war, Pete. I’m sorry you didn’t get along and that he left. My father was a mean drunk, so it was like a whole new world when he quit drinking. Thanks for coming by! 🙂
I’m glad you discovered those items. You must have been so proud of him when he was able to quit drinking and, of course, very proud of his career in the military. I think you look a bit like him. Do you think so? Thanks for sharing your writing about him.
Love,
Janie
For him to quit drinking was a huge milestone! He was also a chain smoker and gave that up at the same time. Both were very difficult to do (I quit smoking after 37 years and know all about that). My father served his country well, and I was a proud daughter, yes. 🙂 Other people have said I look like him. I can see it. Thanks for coming by, Janie!
I salute your Dad. All solders give up “what might have been” in their lives. That sacrifice is rarely acknowledged. 💕👍
Thank you, Susan. 🙂 The military life is tough, no question. Compared to some, my father got off easy.