tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post115682485416434451..comments2023-08-20T04:44:26.157-04:00Comments on A Soldier's Thoughts: Memorial DayZachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788548920729883920noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-38368786899804104942007-01-26T22:00:00.000-05:002007-01-26T22:00:00.000-05:00Tears from a man are not a sign of weakness. They ...Tears from a man are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of emotion; that you are affected by strong sentiments. Allowing your children to see you showing your feelings, your passions…will show them that you care. <br />Children comprehend more than you can understand. If you will just explain to them that their father is celebrating a day of remembrance for all the children who have lost their daddies.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05280625241492079298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1163489654196947132006-11-14T02:34:00.000-05:002006-11-14T02:34:00.000-05:00I haven't checked your blog in many months, so I d...I haven't checked your blog in many months, so I didn't know you were no longer in Iraq - although still in the Army I see from your bio. Zach, even though I pointed out in the past here that your emotional turmoil is because of your military activity, I am pleased to hear that you are still alive.<BR/><BR/>Your statement "God, why did you let me live when you took so many others? But it wasn’t God; it was us, mankind that did this." contains a very big flaw. "Mankind" did not do anything; only individuals can think and act. And an individual reaps the consequences of his/her (hir) own actions. Until you (and similar others) understand and fully accept the concept of self-responsibility and all that it entails - including restitution to those you have responsibly harmed, you will continue to have periodic attacks of conscience (what I'd term one's background processors) that haunt you. I sincerely recommend for your reading, "Self-Responsibility and Social Order" - <A HREF="http://selfsip.org/fundamentals/selfresponsibility.html" REL="nofollow">http://selfsip.org/fundamentals/selfresponsibility.html</A><BR/><BR/>**Kitty Antonik Wakfer<BR/><BR/>MoreLife for the rational - <A HREF="http://morelife.org" REL="nofollow">http://morelife.org</A> <BR/>Reality based tools for more life in quantity and quality<BR/>Self-Sovereign Individual Project - <A HREF="http://selfsip.org" REL="nofollow">http://selfsip.org</A> <BR/>Rational freedom by self-sovereignty & social contractingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1161663418669894612006-10-24T00:16:00.000-04:002006-10-24T00:16:00.000-04:00Sorry, but I forgot to ask you if you read this Za...Sorry, but I forgot to ask you if you read this Zach to please respond somehow or email me back. It would mean alot to me.<BR/>If you need my email address let me know, otherwise hang loose.<BR/><BR/>PatrickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1161663228338265112006-10-24T00:13:00.000-04:002006-10-24T00:13:00.000-04:00Hi Zach,I just wanted to respond to this entry tha...Hi Zach,<BR/>I just wanted to respond to this entry that you worte to let you know how great it is that you can write to anyone so clearly how you felt. I found your webpage as part of an English project that my class is doing, and now I am very glad that I did, because otherwise I would never have read this and would never get to tell you that what you wrote here is an amazing story that I would never even have considered thinking about. I hope that you can learn to deal with the guilt that you may feel, I'm not sure if I understand what you feel or why, but I can see that you are deeply touched by it so I wish you luck. Maybe someday I will understand, but better yet, maybe you feel this so that the guys in my generation don't have to understand. <BR/><BR/>Thank You for what you did.<BR/><BR/>PatrickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1160889452400698052006-10-15T01:17:00.000-04:002006-10-15T01:17:00.000-04:00Zach,I read your blog from time to time and I foun...Zach,<BR/><BR/>I read your blog from time to time and I found this particular post to be very powerful. My brother did a tour of duty in Iraq and just hasn't been the same since. He was also able to speak to my dad about some things b/c like your dad, my dad was also in Vietnam.<BR/><BR/>Best of luck to you and your family!Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10716790047260146358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1160574991353700412006-10-11T09:56:00.000-04:002006-10-11T09:56:00.000-04:00i saw your post in the sand box, just had to write...i saw your post in the sand box, just had to write you. i am a vietnam vet like your father. reading your blog made all those feelings flood back again. they will never leave you, but you will understand their meaning the older you get. just don't be afraid to talk about it. and a tear now and then is good for the soul, it proves real men do cry. i am so glad you are home safe.<BR/><BR/>welcome home brother<BR/><BR/>jimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1160527231243566952006-10-10T20:40:00.000-04:002006-10-10T20:40:00.000-04:00Your Dad is a beautiful man and one that sounds mu...Your Dad is a beautiful man and one that sounds much like you. One day you can offer that moment of compassion to your son. When that happens remember this dayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1158051445170791022006-09-12T04:57:00.000-04:002006-09-12T04:57:00.000-04:00I am in Iraq currently on my second deployment, I ...I am in Iraq currently on my second deployment, I was visiting home on Memorial Day and I have to say oyu are not the only one who feels guilt and remorse. I accompanied my two small nephews to a Memorial Day parade and when I heard the sound of marching bands and saw the marching men all I could think about was the funeral of a man we lost who I deeply respecting. I broke down and had to leave and seek refuge at my brothers home til the fit passed. Just wanted to share that with you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1157461160634546682006-09-05T08:59:00.000-04:002006-09-05T08:59:00.000-04:00"You came back because I needed you" and you came ..."You came back because I needed you" <BR/>and you came back because your kids needs you...<BR/><BR/>Take care dude,<BR/><BR/>AlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1157290261095122732006-09-03T09:31:00.000-04:002006-09-03T09:31:00.000-04:00Praying for all the men and women fighting to prot...Praying for all the men and women fighting to protect freedom and battling tyranny all over the world.<BR/><BR/>-- FreeCyprus<BR/><A HREF="http://hellenic-reporter.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Hellenic Reporter </A>FreeCyprushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06461527729542422549noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1156949667328908212006-08-30T10:54:00.000-04:002006-08-30T10:54:00.000-04:00Zach, you have my prayers and my thanks. I know o...Zach, you have my prayers and my thanks. I know of a program called the Phoenix Project that is a retreat setting for returning soldiers and their spouses. I hope you take a minute to go to this website and see if it is something that might help. http://www.mvfa.org<BR/>My son volunteered to work at the retreat last weekend and he said it was something that he would never forget.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1156906014220267602006-08-29T22:46:00.000-04:002006-08-29T22:46:00.000-04:00Why you? Why not you?Don't feel guilty about livin...Why you? <BR/><BR/>Why not you?<BR/><BR/>Don't feel guilty about living Zach. Your purpose in life has not been fulfilled or completed. There is more in store for you to do. Perhaps only God knows why right now, but at some point, you will discover the answer as well.<BR/><BR/>As for your fallen brothers, their mission in life was fulfilled. Why them? He has that answer as well, and it is not for us to question.<BR/><BR/>Live one day at a time Zach and make it a masterpiece. By doing so, your worthiness of life will be evident.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1156898005938134632006-08-29T20:33:00.000-04:002006-08-29T20:33:00.000-04:00Maybe your children would understand more than you...Maybe your children would understand more than you think. If they see their father crying they know he cares about some thngs to cry. Also, it helps them understand that it is all for them to cry about some things, too. Most of what a father teaches his children, he teaches by example. As young as they are, I am sure they understand that you are human. Never feel bad about that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1156867542966045402006-08-29T12:05:00.000-04:002006-08-29T12:05:00.000-04:00Lean on your father, Zach. His love and experienc...Lean on your father, Zach. His love and experience will get you through. <BR/><BR/>-roamer in michAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1156856746073691252006-08-29T09:05:00.000-04:002006-08-29T09:05:00.000-04:00Wow, your post filled my eyes with tears. Thank y...Wow, your post filled my eyes with tears. Thank you so much for sharing this. The world needs people like you who are unafraid to say how war has affected them. By writing this you might be helping another soldier who is feeling like you and thought he was alone.<BR/><BR/>Thank goodness for your wonderful dad! I wish you all the best going forward.<BR/><BR/>I support Combat Stress, a British charity for the mental welfare of ex-servicemen. Is there a U.S. equivalent that maybe your readers could contribute to?<BR/><BR/>http://www.combatstress.org.uk/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com