Lessons in Memories of War

I sat across the table, pen poised
Anxious to listen to your story
You slurped your coffee from a small plate
As was your habit
Lit a Lucky Strike
Inhaled deeply
Exhaled smoke away from me
Smiled at me
A mixture of emotions filled your features
I'd asked, innocently, for you to tell me of war
I expected stories of glory
I expected stories of heroism
I expected stories akin to history class
Instead you spoke slowly, reluctantly even
Pain filled your voice
The facts, the details
You delivered matter-of-fact, monotone at times
You told of K-rations, C-rations, hunger
Without dressing up the truth to make it palatable
You told of hopping on cargo planes for a momentary escape
With a gleam in your eye
You told of the destruction you witnessed
With regret on your face
You told of injuries and loss of life
Dare I ask, was that a tear you blinked back?
My strong Grandpa, was it a tear?
You told of driving General Patton
With pride in your voice
But nothing topped your conviction
That you did the right thing, the moral thing
When you defied orders
To save a German infant
My simple assignment
To hear about World War II from
Someone who'd been there
Lost its simplicity
As you spoke
You taught me
Real people fight and die
Real people take a stand
Real people make costly mistakes
Real people pay the price
Your memories illustrated
Like no history book can
War isn't glorious regardless of victor
War is dirty and difficult
War is painful and scary
War widows
War injures
War kills
War destroys innocence
War changes people and nations
War wounds even the unwounded