Personal Narrative Essay: The First Vietnam War

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Unspoken heroes I remember that early spring morning, when I called Andrew into the kitchen to give him a letter he had received by post. I recall him racing into the kitchen with an unexpected urgency and snapping it out of my grasp, ripping it open. He read the letter intently, studying every word with vigour’s hope. I studied the smile that played across his lips once he had finished. He then glanced at me with open excited eyes and said, “I got accepted into the armed forces mum.” My heart skipped a beat at the surprising news. My son, a soldier. It was one of the proudest moments of my life, as well as his. Tears pooled in my eyes as we hugged each other, bound by the good news. It was not long after that he was dressed in the ANZAC uniform and leaving our home with his knapsack over his shoulder, smiling and waving farewell to me before catching the bus to the docks for departure. It's December the 16th, 1915. It is a bitter, damp, rainy day. I feel the boat touch the sandy shores. The Sargent blows his whistle. “GO! GO! GO!" The doors open, and I feel the blood splatter of my best mate on my wind-swept face. Men are being mowed down by the machine gunners. The reek of gun powder and smoke is clouding my throat. My back is being pressed against the dead…show more content…
I answer the door and waiting patiently for me is the postman with a smile. We exchange pleasantries and he hands me a telegraph. I close the door and head for the living area. I take a seat on the lounge and open the telegraph. The first thing I see is the ANZAC crest on the top right side of the letter. My heart sinks and my mouth goes dry. I begin to read the letter and soon after a large lump looms in the back of my throat. As I continue to read, tears begin to stream down my cheeks and onto my lap. Oh my poor son. I fall sideways onto the couch, screaming and pounding into the pillows, staining them with my sorrow-filled

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