by Travis Switalski, Sr. I have been told by my civilian friends on many occasions that I should relax because the war is over for me. They keep telling me to let go of the past and to get over it. They ask me what my problem is when I am distant, assuming I am…
by David Chrisinger The commander’s words relieve their stricken hearts: ‘My comrades, hardly strangers to pain before now, we all have weathered worse. Some god will grant us an end to this as well [. . .] Call up your courage again. Dismiss your grief and fear. A joy it will be one day, perhaps,…
by Joe Carvalko Excerpts from my latest book of poetry, Behind the Steel, narrate military themes, not to honor or exaggerate war, but to give meaning to what men and women in service face. As writers, who have military experience, we serve an important role of observer-narrators, a tradition that has existed in Western literature…
by Travis Switalski, Sr. I have been asked that question more times than I care to count. I have been asked it by complete strangers, friends, and by those closest to me. I have been witness to the anger that erupts when someone is asked it and I have on occasion been the outlet of…