Yesterday I was quickly transported to a time when I was 18 years old and had just arrived in the United States. The Vietnam War was in full swing and I felt such a great need to be involved. What could I do? I chose to be there for the wounded.
I spent time at Bethesda Naval Hospital, visiting those very young and broken men. We talked and we sang and we told stories. The nursing staff cautioned me, that I must hide any emotion. Failure to that same caution occurred when a young soldier took me aside and pointed out a fellow soldier in the bed opposite. He told me that the other soldier had been the heart and soul of their battalion. However, since arriving in hospital he had not spoken a word. The soldier asked me to please invite, the other soldier, to play my guitar. I approached the bed and as I handed him my guitar I said, “I hear that you are quite an entertainer. Will you please play for us?”
This beautiful, young soldier took my guitar without a word and began to play and as I watched, huge tears rolled down his face, every fellow soldier, in that ward who was able, surrounded his bed. Yesterday, I was reminded of the impact of that moment; the moment I failed to conceal my emotion. It is still raw. Only yesterday we all shared our tears and emotions. What a relief. We are in this world together in every way. I’ve got this.