Brothers & Sisters Like These: Volume III

Introduction

Welcome to the third book in our series of Veteran stories. In the past, we shared with you our beginnings, our history, and some of our processes, but the underlying story is that of the Veteran. Veterans comprise a small portion of the general population. Currently, less than 1% of the population serves in the military. Military service is a unique way of life, and each branch is unique in its training, language, and mission. Yet there is a common bond: they all swore an oath to serve and protect. They swore an oath to make the ultimate sacrifice if needed in the service of our country and our ideals.

We have been fortunate to have a diverse group of Veterans join us in sharing their stories. People from all backgrounds have stepped up to write their stories, to share their experiences, and to once again become part of the tribe. They all had different reasons to do so, whether they served for a short period or as long as 40 years. They may have volunteered or been drafted. Many served in combat, and others supported those combat veterans, both in the war zone and at home. Some served in the jungles of Vietnam, while others served in the deserts of Kuwait, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Some got a “Hero’s Welcome Home,” and some were reviled upon their return. Many may have Post-Traumatic Stress or a Traumatic Brain Injury, and many suffer Survivor’s Guilt, yet they are all Brothers and Sisters in arms forever, united by the oath they swore.

All these stories are part of their history, but they are also part of your history, of our nation’s history. What you hold in your hand are a few of the stories written and shared in the classroom. An emphasis has been put on what they wanted to share with you to create an understanding of what they carry. These are stories of bravery, sacrifice, lost innocence, lost youth, lost comrades and friends, but they are also stories of healing. Our goal is to share these stories in the hope that they can assist in the healing process.

We have used various avenues to share these stories in the past, including staged readings at community theaters, playhouses, university campuses, libraries, in the Court system, and at the Veterans Healing Farm. We have read for Memorial Day and Veterans Day Ceremonies at Veterans Cemeteries and in city council chambers. Black Box Dancers, a modern dance company, allowed us to read and dance with them while filming a documentary. All these endeavors are designed to share these stories with the public while allowing the healing process to occur for both the veterans and the individuals.

The North Carolina Veterans Writing Alliance, known as Brothers and Sisters Like These, is expanding this program to reach as many Veterans in as many locales as possible. Zoom classes have allowed international participation. I have had the privilege of hearing these stories firsthand and am now happy to share them with you—the stories you will read have been buried for decades, some for over half a century. Three generations of Veterans have bonded while sharing their stories. By reading this anthology, we believe you will gain insight into a small part of their journey to dark places and a part of their journey back into the sun.

Ron Toler

USAF Pilot 1970-1977 /Vietnam Veteran