What Civilians Need to Understand About War | Andy Carroll | TEDxSantaBarbara

September 1862 my dear wife there is

September 1862 my dear wife there is nothing of interest here to write about

nothing of interest here to write about

nothing of interest here to write about except perhaps our hospital operations

except perhaps our hospital operations

except perhaps our hospital operations for days our wounded lay in old barns or

for days our wounded lay in old barns or

for days our wounded lay in old barns or in the yards on straw 7/10 of them have

in the yards on straw 7/10 of them have

in the yards on straw 7/10 of them have suffered amputations and many die each

suffered amputations and many die each

suffered amputations and many die each day no one can begin to estimate the

day no one can begin to estimate the

day no one can begin to estimate the agony after a battle we win a great

agony after a battle we win a great

agony after a battle we win a great victory it goes for the country and the

victory it goes for the country and the

victory it goes for the country and the masses rejoice but if all could see the

masses rejoice but if all could see the

masses rejoice but if all could see the thousands of poor suffering men the

thousands of poor suffering men the

thousands of poor suffering men the rejoicing would turn to weeping when I

rejoicing would turn to weeping when I

rejoicing would turn to weeping when I think of the Battle of Antietam it seems

think of the Battle of Antietam it seems

think of the Battle of Antietam it seems so strange who permits it countless men

so strange who permits it countless men

so strange who permits it countless men hurling against each other in deadly

hurling against each other in deadly

hurling against each other in deadly conflict slaying each other by the

conflict slaying each other by the

conflict slaying each other by the thousands mangling into forming their

thousands mangling into forming their

thousands mangling into forming their fellow men Oh what I would not give to

fellow men Oh what I would not give to

fellow men Oh what I would not give to see you again

see you again

see you again well good night and may god preserve us

well good night and may god preserve us

well good night and may god preserve us all William a copy of this letter by dr.

all William a copy of this letter by dr.

all William a copy of this letter by dr. William child a Union surgeon during the

William child a Union surgeon during the

William child a Union surgeon during the Civil War is just one of a hundred

Civil War is just one of a hundred

Civil War is just one of a hundred thousand wartime correspondences

thousand wartime correspondences

thousand wartime correspondences archived at the Center for American War

archived at the Center for American War

archived at the Center for American War letters at Chapman University when I

letters at Chapman University when I

letters at Chapman University when I first started this project to seek out

first started this project to seek out

first started this project to seek out preserve these correspondences dr.

preserve these correspondences dr.

preserve these correspondences dr. Charles letters were the first that I

Charles letters were the first that I

Charles letters were the first that I read and I remember how it stuck me then

read and I remember how it stuck me then

read and I remember how it stuck me then and has kind of stayed with me for all

and has kind of stayed with me for all

and has kind of stayed with me for all this time because he’s so perfectly

this time because he’s so perfectly

this time because he’s so perfectly articulated the distance between

articulated the distance between

articulated the distance between civilians like myself and people who’ve

civilians like myself and people who’ve

civilians like myself and people who’ve experienced war firsthand like doctor

experienced war firsthand like doctor

experienced war firsthand like doctor child I’ve never served the Armed Forces

child I’ve never served the Armed Forces

child I’ve never served the Armed Forces nor has anybody in my immediate family

nor has anybody in my immediate family

nor has anybody in my immediate family in fact anything like history growing up

in fact anything like history growing up

in fact anything like history growing up to me was just like this tedious

to me was just like this tedious

to me was just like this tedious memorization of dates events and places

memorization of dates events and places

memorization of dates events and places and then on a Friday December 15th

and then on a Friday December 15th

and then on a Friday December 15th during my sophomore year in college

during my sophomore year in college

during my sophomore year in college while I was in New York my dad called

while I was in New York my dad called

while I was in New York my dad called from Washington DC

from Washington DC

from Washington DC to say that our family house had burned

to say that our family house had burned

to say that our family house had burned to the ground I thought he was joking at

to the ground I thought he was joking at

to the ground I thought he was joking at first he has kind of a mischievous sense

first he has kind of a mischievous sense

first he has kind of a mischievous sense of humor he’s done this before and I was

of humor he’s done this before and I was

of humor he’s done this before and I was going into final exams and I said this

going into final exams and I said this

going into final exams and I said this really isn’t the time and he said

really isn’t the time and he said

really isn’t the time and he said actually I’m serious one of the

actually I’m serious one of the

actually I’m serious one of the electrical outlets burst the sparks from

electrical outlets burst the sparks from

electrical outlets burst the sparks from the carpet and the house is gone not

the carpet and the house is gone not

the carpet and the house is gone not long after the fire distant cousin of

long after the fire distant cousin of

long after the fire distant cousin of mine named James Carroll Jordan who was

mine named James Carroll Jordan who was

mine named James Carroll Jordan who was a veteran he had served in World War two

a veteran he had served in World War two

a veteran he had served in World War two call just to check in to see how we were

call just to check in to see how we were

call just to check in to see how we were doing and I said James you know

doing and I said James you know

doing and I said James you know thankfully nobody was hurt that’s the

thankfully nobody was hurt that’s the

thankfully nobody was hurt that’s the most important thing but everything we

most important thing but everything we

most important thing but everything we have it is destroyed and the worst part

have it is destroyed and the worst part

have it is destroyed and the worst part of it was losing all those old letters

of it was losing all those old letters

of it was losing all those old letters and and photographs and he said you know

and and photographs and he said you know

and and photographs and he said you know it’s interesting you say that because I

it’s interesting you say that because I

it’s interesting you say that because I was just going through my old World War

was just going through my old World War

was just going through my old World War Two footlocker and I came across a

Two footlocker and I came across a

Two footlocker and I came across a letter to my wife Betty Ann that I wrote

letter to my wife Betty Ann that I wrote

letter to my wife Betty Ann that I wrote back when I was 23 years old and I’ll

back when I was 23 years old and I’ll

back when I was 23 years old and I’ll send it to you so not long afterwards I

send it to you so not long afterwards I

send it to you so not long afterwards I got this in the mail this is the actual

got this in the mail this is the actual

got this in the mail this is the actual letter and he starts out dear Betty Ann

letter and he starts out dear Betty Ann

letter and he starts out dear Betty Ann I saw something today that makes me

I saw something today that makes me

I saw something today that makes me realize why we’re over here fighting

realize why we’re over here fighting

realize why we’re over here fighting this war James went on in explicit

this war James went on in explicit

this war James went on in explicit detail about walking through the Nazi

detail about walking through the Nazi

detail about walking through the Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald which

concentration camp at Buchenwald which

concentration camp at Buchenwald which had just been liberated people were

had just been liberated people were

had just been liberated people were still dying because of malnourished

still dying because of malnourished

still dying because of malnourished disease and he talked to his wife about

disease and he talked to his wife about

disease and he talked to his wife about seeing the stacks of bodies and going

seeing the stacks of bodies and going

seeing the stacks of bodies and going through and the crematoriums and the

through and the crematoriums and the

through and the crematoriums and the torture department and the beating

torture department and the beating

torture department and the beating devices which in his words still had

devices which in his words still had

devices which in his words still had blood on them and Jim had written letter

blood on them and Jim had written letter

blood on them and Jim had written letter on this thin onionskin paper and I’ll

on this thin onionskin paper and I’ll

on this thin onionskin paper and I’ll never forget holding it for that first

never forget holding it for that first

never forget holding it for that first time and thinking how delicate and

time and thinking how delicate and

time and thinking how delicate and fragile it was and what a stark contrast

fragile it was and what a stark contrast

fragile it was and what a stark contrast this was to the weight and significance

this was to the weight and significance

this was to the weight and significance of his words while talking to a dear

of his words while talking to a dear

of his words while talking to a dear friend of mine and traymor about this

friend of mine and traymor about this

friend of mine and traymor about this experience she said you know my

experience she said you know my

experience she said you know my grandfather would a letter that I just

grandfather would a letter that I just

grandfather would a letter that I just came across that I’ll share with you and

came across that I’ll share with you and

came across that I’ll share with you and sure enough she sent it in and it was by

sure enough she sent it in and it was by

sure enough she sent it in and it was by her grandfather Erwin blonder and he

her grandfather Erwin blonder and he

her grandfather Erwin blonder and he starts out by saying dear dad and Jerry

starts out by saying dear dad and Jerry

starts out by saying dear dad and Jerry I am a forward observer in the battalion

I am a forward observer in the battalion

I am a forward observer in the battalion this is one of those dangerous positions

this is one of those dangerous positions

this is one of those dangerous positions in combat I have witnessed things I will

in combat I have witnessed things I will

in combat I have witnessed things I will never forget I saw an artillery shell

never forget I saw an artillery shell

never forget I saw an artillery shell chew up one of my men my only thought

chew up one of my men my only thought

chew up one of my men my only thought now is to get safely home to my

now is to get safely home to my

now is to get safely home to my so that she and I can live our lives

so that she and I can live our lives

so that she and I can live our lives that we dreamed as always I hope that

that we dreamed as always I hope that

that we dreamed as always I hope that when peace descends upon the world again

when peace descends upon the world again

when peace descends upon the world again we will prove capable of having peace I

we will prove capable of having peace I

we will prove capable of having peace I don’t want my children to endure the

don’t want my children to endure the

don’t want my children to endure the things I have after reading James and

things I have after reading James and

things I have after reading James and Erwin letters it was like history came

Erwin letters it was like history came

Erwin letters it was like history came to life it was suddenly it was real it

to life it was suddenly it was real it

to life it was suddenly it was real it was personal it was human and this was

was personal it was human and this was

was personal it was human and this was the inspiration to actively find and

the inspiration to actively find and

the inspiration to actively find and preserve war letters from every u.s.

preserve war letters from every u.s.

preserve war letters from every u.s. conflict and so after Dear Abby wrote a

conflict and so after Dear Abby wrote a

conflict and so after Dear Abby wrote a Veterans Day column about this project

Veterans Day column about this project

Veterans Day column about this project which appeared a nation of newspapers

which appeared a nation of newspapers

which appeared a nation of newspapers across the country it’s like the

across the country it’s like the

across the country it’s like the floodgates opened and I remember the

floodgates opened and I remember the

floodgates opened and I remember the post office where I’d set up a little

post office where I’d set up a little

post office where I’d set up a little peel box called and they were not happy

peel box called and they were not happy

peel box called and they were not happy and they said is this Andrew Carroll I

and they said is this Andrew Carroll I

and they said is this Andrew Carroll I said yes it is they’ll you need to get

said yes it is they’ll you need to get

said yes it is they’ll you need to get down here now and start picking up your

down here now and start picking up your

down here now and start picking up your mail and I said look I live a few blocks

mail and I said look I live a few blocks

mail and I said look I live a few blocks from you guys I will jump on my bike

from you guys I will jump on my bike

from you guys I will jump on my bike I’ve got a huge backpack I’ll be over

I’ve got a huge backpack I’ll be over

I’ve got a huge backpack I’ll be over there in a few seconds and the Kirk the

there in a few seconds and the Kirk the

there in a few seconds and the Kirk the clerk sort of chuckled he said you might

clerk sort of chuckled he said you might

clerk sort of chuckled he said you might want to bring a car we can’t even walk

want to bring a car we can’t even walk

want to bring a car we can’t even walk around here and sure enough when I got

around here and sure enough when I got

around here and sure enough when I got said there were bins and bins of letters

said there were bins and bins of letters

said there were bins and bins of letters and this was just the tip of the iceberg

and this was just the tip of the iceberg

and this was just the tip of the iceberg there are thousands more to come in but

there are thousands more to come in but

there are thousands more to come in but one of the first that I opened just gave

one of the first that I opened just gave

one of the first that I opened just gave me a sense of the history as they

me a sense of the history as they

me a sense of the history as they captured this is by a young sailor who a

captured this is by a young sailor who a

captured this is by a young sailor who a dear sis it’s 9:05 a.m. Sunday morning

dear sis it’s 9:05 a.m. Sunday morning

dear sis it’s 9:05 a.m. Sunday morning and we’ve been bombed for over an hour

and we’ve been bombed for over an hour

and we’ve been bombed for over an hour and our aircraft guns are yammering away

and our aircraft guns are yammering away

and our aircraft guns are yammering away and every so often a bomb blows up and

and every so often a bomb blows up and

and every so often a bomb blows up and strikes the edge of the ship what’s

strikes the edge of the ship what’s

strikes the edge of the ship what’s incredible is that when you read the

incredible is that when you read the

incredible is that when you read the upper right-hand corner you get a sense

upper right-hand corner you get a sense

upper right-hand corner you get a sense of its significance right away December

of its significance right away December

of its significance right away December 7th 1941 Pearl Harbor this young sailor

7th 1941 Pearl Harbor this young sailor

7th 1941 Pearl Harbor this young sailor William seco was inside that ship as the

William seco was inside that ship as the

William seco was inside that ship as the invasion was happening and he went on

invasion was happening and he went on

invasion was happening and he went on moment by moment explaining what it felt

moment by moment explaining what it felt

moment by moment explaining what it felt like to be in the eye of the storm and

like to be in the eye of the storm and

like to be in the eye of the storm and he went on for fifty pages he was

he went on for fifty pages he was

he went on for fifty pages he was trapped in the foreign engine room and

trapped in the foreign engine room and

trapped in the foreign engine room and he could hear men screaming over the

he could hear men screaming over the

he could hear men screaming over the intercom and people were rushing for

intercom and people were rushing for

intercom and people were rushing for their gas masks and eventually he was

their gas masks and eventually he was

their gas masks and eventually he was rescued and this is why we have the

rescued and this is why we have the

rescued and this is why we have the letter of course what was also

letter of course what was also

letter of course what was also interesting is that letters that didn’t

interesting is that letters that didn’t

interesting is that letters that didn’t seem to say much actually had some

seem to say much actually had some

seem to say much actually had some secrets to reveal this is a letter by a

secrets to reveal this is a letter by a

secrets to reveal this is a letter by a marine who also served in World War two

marine who also served in World War two

marine who also served in World War two and he starts letter off my beloved

and he starts letter off my beloved

and he starts letter off my beloved another Sunday and we’re still apart and

another Sunday and we’re still apart and

another Sunday and we’re still apart and he goes on to say there are so many

he goes on to say there are so many

he goes on to say there are so many things I’m concerned about namely you

things I’m concerned about namely you

things I’m concerned about namely you and Aunt Ruth

and Aunt Ruth

and Aunt Ruth fairly common expression of worry if her

fairly common expression of worry if her

fairly common expression of worry if her family members and so forth but what is

family members and so forth but what is

family members and so forth but what is great is at the Marine Berg drennan his

great is at the Marine Berg drennan his

great is at the Marine Berg drennan his son gave us all this including the code

son gave us all this including the code

son gave us all this including the code sheet this is what Burt left behind with

sheet this is what Burt left behind with

sheet this is what Burt left behind with his wife explicit instructions on when

his wife explicit instructions on when

his wife explicit instructions on when she got a letter that began only when my

she got a letter that began only when my

she got a letter that began only when my beloved looked for the code name of an

beloved looked for the code name of an

beloved looked for the code name of an aunt or uncle so on the other side of

aunt or uncle so on the other side of

aunt or uncle so on the other side of this page are all these names none of

this page are all these names none of

this page are all these names none of these people existed pure fiction so in

these people existed pure fiction so in

these people existed pure fiction so in this case Aunt Ruth’s mafia that he was

this case Aunt Ruth’s mafia that he was

this case Aunt Ruth’s mafia that he was still training in the Hawaiian Islands

still training in the Hawaiian Islands

still training in the Hawaiian Islands but he had some idea where the Marines

but he had some idea where the Marines

but he had some idea where the Marines might end up and so aunt pearl equalled

might end up and so aunt pearl equalled

might end up and so aunt pearl equalled B wajima and then the very final entry

B wajima and then the very final entry

B wajima and then the very final entry was Uncle Jack Japan some troops use

was Uncle Jack Japan some troops use

was Uncle Jack Japan some troops use centrist censorship to their example

centrist censorship to their example

centrist censorship to their example this is a letter by another world war ii

this is a letter by another world war ii

this is a letter by another world war ii soldier named bill Kaiser who was in the

soldier named bill Kaiser who was in the

soldier named bill Kaiser who was in the Philippines serving with MacArthur this

Philippines serving with MacArthur this

Philippines serving with MacArthur this is November of 1944 and he starts off

is November of 1944 and he starts off

is November of 1944 and he starts off the letter dear mom and dad so here I am

the letter dear mom and dad so here I am

the letter dear mom and dad so here I am in and then the whole middle part of

in and then the whole middle part of

in and then the whole middle part of letter is gone and he says well I hope

letter is gone and he says well I hope

letter is gone and he says well I hope so to love bill PS they might censor

so to love bill PS they might censor

so to love bill PS they might censor this letter now I had seen

this letter now I had seen

this letter now I had seen correspondences at this point where you

correspondences at this point where you

correspondences at this point where you know the censors had literally cut out

know the censors had literally cut out

know the censors had literally cut out the name of a ship or an island cuz you

the name of a ship or an island cuz you

the name of a ship or an island cuz you couldn’t give away your location but

couldn’t give away your location but

couldn’t give away your location but this was like Bill had divulged the

this was like Bill had divulged the

this was like Bill had divulged the entire Pacific campaign and what I found

entire Pacific campaign and what I found

entire Pacific campaign and what I found out from his brother Ernie who gave us

out from his brother Ernie who gave us

out from his brother Ernie who gave us the letter is that what happened is Bill

the letter is that what happened is Bill

the letter is that what happened is Bill would take a piece of paper he’d write

would take a piece of paper he’d write

would take a piece of paper he’d write the first line jump down to the bottom

the first line jump down to the bottom

the first line jump down to the bottom right the last line he would cut out the

right the last line he would cut out the

right the last line he would cut out the middle blame the censors it was simply

middle blame the censors it was simply

middle blame the censors it was simply because he hated writing letters home

because he hated writing letters home

because he hated writing letters home and this was easier so

[Applause]

[Applause] what was just also just so incredible

what was just also just so incredible

what was just also just so incredible about the correspondences was the paper

about the correspondences was the paper

about the correspondences was the paper itself and how even that gave you a

itself and how even that gave you a

itself and how even that gave you a sense of the harrowing circumstances

sense of the harrowing circumstances

sense of the harrowing circumstances under which these troops were writing a

under which these troops were writing a

under which these troops were writing a young soldier named John McGrath was

young soldier named John McGrath was

young soldier named John McGrath was part of the liberation of Italy in 1944

part of the liberation of Italy in 1944

part of the liberation of Italy in 1944 so he was at the Anzio beachhead and

so he was at the Anzio beachhead and

so he was at the Anzio beachhead and he’s describing to a friend of his how a

he’s describing to a friend of his how a

he’s describing to a friend of his how a shell had dropped right next to him but

shell had dropped right next to him but

shell had dropped right next to him but didn’t explode so in his words by the

didn’t explode so in his words by the

didn’t explode so in his words by the grace of God he was still alive so he

grace of God he was still alive so he

grace of God he was still alive so he writes this letter describing this

writes this letter describing this

writes this letter describing this experience to his friend and then he

experience to his friend and then he

experience to his friend and then he puts the letter in his rucksack moments

puts the letter in his rucksack moments

puts the letter in his rucksack moments after writing that he was shot through

after writing that he was shot through

after writing that he was shot through the back that’s the bullet hole from the

the back that’s the bullet hole from the

the back that’s the bullet hole from the round that went through the letter and

round that went through the letter and

round that went through the letter and into him now fortunately he recuperated

into him now fortunately he recuperated

into him now fortunately he recuperated he made it home safely and he was ok but

he made it home safely and he was ok but

he made it home safely and he was ok but again it just gives you an idea of the

again it just gives you an idea of the

again it just gives you an idea of the life-and-death circumstances under which

life-and-death circumstances under which

life-and-death circumstances under which these troops were writing now 50 years

these troops were writing now 50 years

these troops were writing now 50 years later a woman named Sandy mitten who is

later a woman named Sandy mitten who is

later a woman named Sandy mitten who is part she was a port security one with

part she was a port security one with

part she was a port security one with the Coast Guard was in the Persian Gulf

the Coast Guard was in the Persian Gulf

the Coast Guard was in the Persian Gulf and she was to send her back to family

and she was to send her back to family

and she was to send her back to family members and it was about a week after

members and it was about a week after

members and it was about a week after the war began as she said so it’s about

the war began as she said so it’s about

the war began as she said so it’s about five days in the war amazing isn’t it

five days in the war amazing isn’t it

five days in the war amazing isn’t it and on the back here she says if I ever

and on the back here she says if I ever

and on the back here she says if I ever had any doubts about whether and then

had any doubts about whether and then

had any doubts about whether and then the letter just cuts off and then she

the letter just cuts off and then she

the letter just cuts off and then she says back again next p.m. in the middle

says back again next p.m. in the middle

says back again next p.m. in the middle of that sentence they had a scud missile

of that sentence they had a scud missile

of that sentence they had a scud missile attack and she went on to describe what

attack and she went on to describe what

attack and she went on to describe what it felt like to be you know right there

it felt like to be you know right there

it felt like to be you know right there with the missiles coming and not knowing

with the missiles coming and not knowing

with the missiles coming and not knowing if at any moment

if at any moment

if at any moment your life was gonna be over we very much

your life was gonna be over we very much

your life was gonna be over we very much want to include the homefront because

want to include the homefront because

want to include the homefront because the spouses the siblings the children

the spouses the siblings the children

the spouses the siblings the children they all serve – in times of war this is

they all serve – in times of war this is

they all serve – in times of war this is a letter that we just got days ago and

a letter that we just got days ago and

a letter that we just got days ago and it’s become one of my favorites it was

it’s become one of my favorites it was

it’s become one of my favorites it was written during the Korean War and it’s

written during the Korean War and it’s

written during the Korean War and it’s written by a woman to her brother who

written by a woman to her brother who

written by a woman to her brother who was off serving in the Korean War and

it’s about 10 pages long and what I love

it’s about 10 pages long and what I love about it is that she wanted to send her

about it is that she wanted to send her

about it is that she wanted to send her brother something special something that

brother something special something that

brother something special something that no other service member had got I’ve

no other service member had got I’ve

no other service member had got I’ve never seen a letter like this before and

never seen a letter like this before and

never seen a letter like this before and again it’s ten feet tall and what I

again it’s ten feet tall and what I

again it’s ten feet tall and what I think is so point is at the very end of

think is so point is at the very end of

think is so point is at the very end of it she’s like if this letter isn’t long

it she’s like if this letter isn’t long

it she’s like if this letter isn’t long enough I’ll send you another one

enough I’ll send you another one

enough I’ll send you another one but

but

but what’s also so incredible about these

what’s also so incredible about these

what’s also so incredible about these correspondences is that there’s

correspondences is that there’s

correspondences is that there’s definitely a tangible quality to the

definitely a tangible quality to the

definitely a tangible quality to the paper itself of holding in your hand

paper itself of holding in your hand

paper itself of holding in your hand something that was composed decades or

something that was composed decades or

something that was composed decades or maybe even centuries ago this is the

maybe even centuries ago this is the

maybe even centuries ago this is the oldest letter in our collection it is as

oldest letter in our collection it is as

oldest letter in our collection it is as pristine and as legible as the day was

pristine and as legible as the day was

pristine and as legible as the day was written back in 1775 this is from the

written back in 1775 this is from the

written back in 1775 this is from the American Revolution now having said that

American Revolution now having said that

American Revolution now having said that some of the most eloquent and powerful

some of the most eloquent and powerful

some of the most eloquent and powerful correspondences we have are emails from

correspondences we have are emails from

correspondences we have are emails from Iraq Afghanistan and other parts of the

Iraq Afghanistan and other parts of the

Iraq Afghanistan and other parts of the world

world

world edie rib knack was an Air Force captain

edie rib knack was an Air Force captain

edie rib knack was an Air Force captain in 2003 and he was serving on medevac

in 2003 and he was serving on medevac

in 2003 and he was serving on medevac flights that we’re taking our wounded

flights that we’re taking our wounded

flights that we’re taking our wounded from Baghdad to our military base in

from Baghdad to our military base in

from Baghdad to our military base in launch Atoll Germany and like William

launch Atoll Germany and like William

launch Atoll Germany and like William child from the Civil War

child from the Civil War

child from the Civil War Edie felt there was a kind of disconnect

Edie felt there was a kind of disconnect

Edie felt there was a kind of disconnect between the public perception of the war

between the public perception of the war

between the public perception of the war in its realities so he started writing

in its realities so he started writing

in its realities so he started writing these letters home to his family and to

these letters home to his family and to

these letters home to his family and to his friends and one he wrote and this is

his friends and one he wrote and this is

his friends and one he wrote and this is about a relatively small load of troops

about a relatively small load of troops

about a relatively small load of troops the patient’s include one gunshot wound

the patient’s include one gunshot wound

the patient’s include one gunshot wound of the stomach

of the stomach

of the stomach partial amputations from a landmine

partial amputations from a landmine

partial amputations from a landmine massive head wound from being struck by

massive head wound from being struck by

massive head wound from being struck by a tank and blast and shrapnel injuries

a tank and blast and shrapnel injuries

a tank and blast and shrapnel injuries there was also a fellow medical officer

there was also a fellow medical officer

there was also a fellow medical officer that had treated who had been taking

that had treated who had been taking

that had treated who had been taking supplies to a civilian hospital in

supplies to a civilian hospital in

supplies to a civilian hospital in Baghdad when his Humvee was attacked by

Baghdad when his Humvee was attacked by

Baghdad when his Humvee was attacked by an RPG a rocket-propelled grenade and

an RPG a rocket-propelled grenade and

an RPG a rocket-propelled grenade and the goal and the flames engulfed him

the goal and the flames engulfed him

the goal and the flames engulfed him from the waist up he was burned over

from the waist up he was burned over

from the waist up he was burned over most of his body that wrote and the tops

most of his body that wrote and the tops

most of his body that wrote and the tops of his ears were burned off entirely his

of his ears were burned off entirely his

of his ears were burned off entirely his red peeling face had become an

red peeling face had become an

red peeling face had become an expressionless mask it made a point of

expressionless mask it made a point of

expressionless mask it made a point of focusing not just on the physical

focusing not just on the physical

focusing not just on the physical injuries and the condition of his

injuries and the condition of his

injuries and the condition of his patients but on their mental wounds as

patients but on their mental wounds as

patients but on their mental wounds as well in another email he wrote a soldier

well in another email he wrote a soldier

well in another email he wrote a soldier confides in me that he witnessed some

confides in me that he witnessed some

confides in me that he witnessed some Iraqi children get run over by one of

Iraqi children get run over by one of

Iraqi children get run over by one of our military convoys the soldier was in

our military convoys the soldier was in

our military convoys the soldier was in the convoy and they had strict orders

the convoy and they had strict orders

the convoy and they had strict orders not to stop its insurgents have forced

not to stop its insurgents have forced

not to stop its insurgents have forced Iraqi boys and girls at gunpoint into

Iraqi boys and girls at gunpoint into

Iraqi boys and girls at gunpoint into the road to break up the convoy so the

the road to break up the convoy so the

the road to break up the convoy so the insurgents can attack us

insurgents can attack us

insurgents can attack us but now the convoys don’t stop he tells

but now the convoys don’t stop he tells

but now the convoys don’t stop he tells me that dealing with that image is worse

me that dealing with that image is worse

me that dealing with that image is worse than the pain of his injury Wars

than the pain of his injury Wars

than the pain of his injury Wars brutality is the secret that even

brutality is the secret that even

brutality is the secret that even civilized societies keep from itself

civilized societies keep from itself

civilized societies keep from itself hiding under layers of verbal camouflage

hiding under layers of verbal camouflage

hiding under layers of verbal camouflage of phrases like soft targets collateral

of phrases like soft targets collateral

of phrases like soft targets collateral damage and friendly fire and certainly

damage and friendly fire and certainly

damage and friendly fire and certainly no correspondence whether an email or

no correspondence whether an email or

no correspondence whether an email or letter can fully convey the true horror

letter can fully convey the true horror

letter can fully convey the true horror of war but I think they do give us a

of war but I think they do give us a

of war but I think they do give us a very personal intimate glimpse into not

very personal intimate glimpse into not

very personal intimate glimpse into not just what these troops have seen but

just what these troops have seen but

just what these troops have seen but what it feels like to be at war and the

what it feels like to be at war and the

what it feels like to be at war and the remind us of their sacrifices extend

remind us of their sacrifices extend

remind us of their sacrifices extend beyond the battlefield it’s not just the

beyond the battlefield it’s not just the

beyond the battlefield it’s not just the time it’s not just the risk of being

time it’s not just the risk of being

time it’s not just the risk of being wounded or killed which is bad enough

wounded or killed which is bad enough

wounded or killed which is bad enough it’s the strain on their relationships

it’s the strain on their relationships

it’s the strain on their relationships it’s a time away from their loved ones

it’s a time away from their loved ones

it’s a time away from their loved ones it’s not being there for a birthday an

it’s not being there for a birthday an

it’s not being there for a birthday an anniversary or even when a child is born

anniversary or even when a child is born

anniversary or even when a child is born and for those who do come home for the

and for those who do come home for the

and for those who do come home for the memories that they will live with

memories that they will live with

memories that they will live with forever

forever

forever in late September 1944 a young American

in late September 1944 a young American

in late September 1944 a young American soldier who had nearly been killed in

soldier who had nearly been killed in

soldier who had nearly been killed in battle and it was literally writing a

battle and it was literally writing a

battle and it was literally writing a letter while he was huddled in a foxhole

letter while he was huddled in a foxhole

letter while he was huddled in a foxhole his shelves were falling around him

his shelves were falling around him

his shelves were falling around him wrote home I’m telling you all this to

wrote home I’m telling you all this to

wrote home I’m telling you all this to get certain things off my mind but also

get certain things off my mind but also

get certain things off my mind but also because I want these thoughts of mine

because I want these thoughts of mine

because I want these thoughts of mine recorded so in later years I can use

recorded so in later years I can use

recorded so in later years I can use them in getting a better understanding

them in getting a better understanding

them in getting a better understanding of life instilled in my children that

of life instilled in my children that

of life instilled in my children that soldier was Irwin blonder my front hands

soldier was Irwin blonder my front hands

soldier was Irwin blonder my front hands grandfather who had written to his

grandfather who had written to his

grandfather who had written to his brother into his dad

brother into his dad

brother into his dad blonder like many troops found writing

blonder like many troops found writing

blonder like many troops found writing letters cathartic but I think he also

letters cathartic but I think he also

letters cathartic but I think he also knew that his letter wasn’t just for

knew that his letter wasn’t just for

knew that his letter wasn’t just for himself or its recipients but that maybe

himself or its recipients but that maybe

himself or its recipients but that maybe one day future generations would hear it

one day future generations would hear it

one day future generations would hear it and possibly even learn from it which is

and possibly even learn from it which is

and possibly even learn from it which is why ultimately these letters to me

why ultimately these letters to me

why ultimately these letters to me represent America’s great undiscovered

represent America’s great undiscovered

represent America’s great undiscovered literature millions of them tucked away

literature millions of them tucked away

literature millions of them tucked away in attics and basements and closets

in attics and basements and closets

in attics and basements and closets across the country and like any great

across the country and like any great

across the country and like any great work of art they transcend any subject

work of art they transcend any subject

work of art they transcend any subject matter they’re really not just about war

matter they’re really not just about war

matter they’re really not just about war but about human nature itself about our

but about human nature itself about our

but about human nature itself about our capacity for a breathtaking sense of

capacity for a breathtaking sense of

capacity for a breathtaking sense of violence and destruction but also our

violence and destruction but also our

violence and destruction but also our potential for goodness our courage our

potential for goodness our courage our

potential for goodness our courage our resilience our

resilience our

resilience our passion or generosity our sense of

passion or generosity our sense of

passion or generosity our sense of forgiveness and reconciliation our

forgiveness and reconciliation our

forgiveness and reconciliation our mission remains to inspire people across

mission remains to inspire people across

mission remains to inspire people across the country to seek out and find as many

the country to seek out and find as many

the country to seek out and find as many letters as possible

letters as possible

letters as possible these letters are being used in military

these letters are being used in military

these letters are being used in military hospitals and VA medical centers to help

hospitals and VA medical centers to help

hospitals and VA medical centers to help troops who are coping with

troops who are coping with

troops who are coping with post-traumatic stress understand that

post-traumatic stress understand that

post-traumatic stress understand that they’re not alone

they’re not alone

they’re not alone and they’re reaching a larger civilian

and they’re reaching a larger civilian

and they’re reaching a larger civilian audience in books and documentaries and

audience in books and documentaries and

audience in books and documentaries and there’s a play directed by John

there’s a play directed by John

there’s a play directed by John Bennett’s it’s incredible it’s been

Bennett’s it’s incredible it’s been

Bennett’s it’s incredible it’s been performed as a Kennedy Center and the

performed as a Kennedy Center and the

performed as a Kennedy Center and the Kirk Douglas scene and other prestigious

Kirk Douglas scene and other prestigious

Kirk Douglas scene and other prestigious venues these transcripts have been

venues these transcripts have been

venues these transcripts have been etched on war memorials across the

etched on war memorials across the

etched on war memorials across the country and what I think is most

country and what I think is most

country and what I think is most important is that high school and

important is that high school and

important is that high school and college students are having these

college students are having these

college students are having these letters part of their curricula and it’s

letters part of their curricula and it’s

letters part of their curricula and it’s bringing history to life it’s making it

bringing history to life it’s making it

bringing history to life it’s making it real for them as well and I think they

real for them as well and I think they

real for them as well and I think they remind all of us that these troops are

remind all of us that these troops are

remind all of us that these troops are not just statistics and there’s

not just statistics and there’s

not just statistics and there’s certainly more than Marines sailors

certainly more than Marines sailors

certainly more than Marines sailors airmen and soldiers every single one of

airmen and soldiers every single one of

airmen and soldiers every single one of them is somebody’s child and in many

them is somebody’s child and in many

them is somebody’s child and in many cases their apparent themself a sibling

cases their apparent themself a sibling

cases their apparent themself a sibling a wife a husband a sweetheart these are

a wife a husband a sweetheart these are

a wife a husband a sweetheart these are their voices their experiences as they

their voices their experiences as they

their voices their experiences as they have expressed them in their own words

have expressed them in their own words

have expressed them in their own words and nobody I think can tell their story

and nobody I think can tell their story

and nobody I think can tell their story better than they can thank you all

better than they can thank you all

better than they can thank you all [Applause]