War Stories

Why is it so hard to understand that we have to find a way to live together?

or the fool who does something stupid and gets everybody killed.

That’s what war’s really about—pointless destruction.” “It wasn’t pointless to save the world from Hitler,” Trevor argued. Dad sighed. “That’s just it. We just go from war to war to war. We never seem to learn. Hitler was one of the worst, but there’s always someone who wants to take over. Why is it so hard to understand that we have to find a way to live together?

She hadn’t felt this way when they had arrived on the ferry… but now that she’s seen the American soldier up close and met the great-grandson that loved him, she knew in her heart that revenge would not be sweet. What was past was past. A terrible thing had happened. It would not be remedied by another terrible thing, regardless of one man’s guilt.

I encourage all readers to dive into the stories of WW2. And to keep in mind that the story of any war needs many voices, from many sides to be fully told. (Closing)

Trevor and his father watched as two mortal enemies from the deadliest conflict in human history shared a reunion as joyful as one between long-lost brothers.... None of those people would have ever been born if GG had done his duty and killed this man so many years ago. A snap decision, a moment of mercy, and all those lives suddenly became possible. It would not bring back Renee's family, but it was a miracle just the same.

The rage Jacob experienced was something new. He'd known fear and adrenaline in battle, but this was sheer unadulterated hatred. This was not the soldier who'd had killed Renee's family, but he was one of them. And he would do. Just a moment before Jacob had been lost in despair. Yet as his misery morphed into anger he felt better because now he had purpose and the purpose was vengeance. This enemy was going to pay for madam and the children and for Freddy and Leeland and all the others, too. He stared down the rifle barrel and saw... himself. Not Jacob Firestone, but pale blue eyes that reminded him very much of the teenage boy he faced in the mirror every day. In another life they could have been 12th-graders together swapping chemistry notes and talking about girls. He felt his finger loosening on the trigger. No, he exhorted himself. You walked away from an enemy in this orchard once before and look what happened. You can't let this one go. But when Jacob sighted down at the boy he beheld no menace. Only terror. There had been so much death and suffering already. What could possibly be gained by killing this poor, scared kid in the aftermath of a battle that was already over? Jacob lowered his rifle. "Get out of here, High School. Beat it!" And when the stunned boy scrambled up, gawked at him in disbelief and ran off, Jacob felt reborn.