For those who know our MIA FF’r Ted Strutz who suffered a stroke a while back, I wanted to share his progress.
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
A few might remember a longer version of this story I posted for “What Pegman Saw” in 2017. With the summer being as busy as it is, it seemed like a good time to share a rerun. 😉
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
COUNTRY ROADS
“My dearest Jimmy,
Remember 1971? The year we came back from Vietnam. John Denver must’ve written his hit with you in mind.
“‘Pineville, West Virginia,’ you whispered low and sweet. Your eyes shone like the stars over the Shenandoah River. You laughed. ‘Just a Podunk town in the middle of nowhere.’
Nonetheless, to you it was ’almost heaven’.”
Sharon tucked the note inside his guitar and leaned it against his headstone. “I kept my promise to meet you here, Jimmy.”
Forever she would carry his face in her heart and hear his last words, “Nurse, please don’t let me die.”
***
In this image provided by the U.S. Army, the 2nd Brigade was faced with a new problem at their Bien Hoa, Vietnam base: from Fort Rilay to Vietnam come the 93rd Evacuation Hospital complete with nurses on Dec. 19, 1965. The problem of getting a private shower for the girls fell to Company B 1st Engineer Battalion. In the interests of the health, welfare and cleanliness of the nurses, the men of Company B decided to give up their own air-conditioned shower. The dressing area of the shower was boarded up and the entrance-way closed off. An appropriate “Off Limits” sign was made and posted. (AP Photo/U.S. Army)
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I wonder why Sharon did it. Maybe it was just obligation? Maybe something more. Either way, she honoured him
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Dear Neil,
Perhaps a little of both and all of the above. With only 100 words a lot is left up to the reader to decide.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautiful story, well done, Rochelle.
Pleased to see Ted is doing well too.
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Dear Mason,
Thank you for your kind words re my story and Ted. He’s a fighter, isn’t he?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome.
Ted’s doing amazing fighting through such a horrendous, life-changing condition. Here’s hoping he continues to improve every day.
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Touching story, Rochelle. Shalom.
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Many thanks, Indira.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A touching story of love and faithfulness. Although I doubt the guitar remained there very long.
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Thank you, m’luv. Didn’t have enough words to worry about the guitar. 😉
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A touching tale indeed Rochelle. Seems he was more than just another patient to her.
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Dear Keith,
There was definitely a connection between Sharon and her patient that transcended medicine. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story, as always. This picture is giving me very little inspiration so far. Going to need to think about it.
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Dear Linda,
it seems to me you rose above the lack of inspiration with your story. 😉 Thank you re mine.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful news about Ted, Rochelle. It’s so nice to see his smiling face, thank you for sharing it.
As usual, your story packs an emotional punch and teaches me something too. I wonder how you got there from the photo (shrapnel, perhaps), but I don’t need to know, all that matters is you did.
Jen
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Dear Jen,
I’ve been trying to send weekly notes to Ted and was thrilled to get a card in return. It felt like a good thing to share.
Thank you re my story. Actually the inspiration for adding this story to the prompt comes from recent cemetery visits on Memorial Day in May. One of those old places had some beautiful headstones carved to look like trees. They were pretty amazing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh wow, those sound special.. in a special place too. I love reading the origins of people’s stories!
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I’m so glad Ted is feeling better!
Your story: gut-wrenching and excellent. Horrible injuries, pain, death–I don’t know how these nurses dealt with it without going insane. So many of the boys in Vietnam were so young… Lives cut down before their time.
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Dear Gabi,
It’s about time someone gives credit to those nurses who also suffer PTSD. Vietnam was a horror. The worst part is the way we’ve treated those vets, male and female. Than you re my story.
I was pretty happy to get the card from Ted and his daughter. And since he has so many blogging friends I wanted to share. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a sweet story amidst the horror. I remember this from the Pegman days.
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Dear Josh,
I figured you might remember the story. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Touching stories, both the dying soldier begging the nurse and the kindness of male soldiers for female soldiers. A little kindness can go a long way.
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Dear Lisa,
I think those nurses deserve more credit than they’ve been given. While they weren’t on the battlefield, they certainly dealt with the effects of it. Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, nurses everywhere are always unsung heroes, in my opinion. My ex-husband was a nurse at a busy emergency room for years and I know what he gave to his job. That’s nothing compared to war nurses and more recently pandemic nurses. You are very welcome, my friend.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Glad for the update on Ted, Rochelle.
Here’s my effort this week
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You’re welcome, Di.
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🙂
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Dear Rochelle,
Such a sweet story. There are those out there who have honour.
Shalom and lotsa heartfelt love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
The nurses who served deserve more credit than they’ve been givine IMHO. Thank your re my story. ❤
Shalom and lotsa compassionate hugs,
Rochelle
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That they do!
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Some went above and beyond. For those who went above and beyond. …
Thank you for this, and for the update re: Ted!
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I’m glad (?) that the nurses are finally being recognized. While they weren’t facing the bullets they certainly were faced with the injuries and devastation. I salute them. Thank you for your kind words. Re:Ted…you’re most welcome.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A touching story of kindness, Rochelle.
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Many thanks, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You cleverly illustrate the great tragedy that is war by the personal tragedy of an individual – well done. Thank you so much, too, for the update on Ted.
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Dear Penny,
Hopefully there will be many more positive updates from Ted. Thank you for your thoughtful comments on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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it’s nice to hear that ted is doing well all things considered and can go shopping on his own. anyway, such a touching story you wrote this week. i felt it to the bone.
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Dear Plaridel,
I couldn’t ask for a better compliment. Thank you. I’m happy about Ted, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ted is out shopping for beer — priorities!
I don’t think one can understand war time bonds unless they have been through it. Touching.
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Dear Tannille,
There is a bond between vets. Being married to one I see it all the time. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very touching story, “meeting” again back home.
I’m glad to hear Ted is on the mend 🙂
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Dear Ali,
Thank you re my story. I’m happy about Ted, too. Just had to share his progress.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautifully moving story. And I loved that song. Well done.
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Many thanks, Sandra. Your comments mean a lot. Yeah, I love the song, too. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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First, Thanks for the update on Ted. I have another card to send out this week. I remember how much those little notes meant to me following the accident in ’96. Some days, they were the only thing that was good. I love your story, and I blew up the pic to see if I recognized one of the ladies. I’ve known many GI nurses over the years who served in ‘Nam, and before. Mrs. C. was one. She was an angel.
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Dear Bear,
I so pleased I’m not the only one sending out cards to Ted. I’m sure they mean a lot. I’m a big fan of handwritten notes. Emails are nice, but nothing can replace the notes.
Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Agreed… There’s something special about something handwritten or handmade.
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Lovely story, Rochelle, and it’s good to hear Ted is fighting back. Please pass on my best wishes via his son.
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Thank you, Liz. I will pass along your good wishes to Ted and his daughter. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The poor nurse, she did her very best but only so much could be done.
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Dear James,
Nurses are heroes, aren’t they?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good news, I hope Ted keeps going and recovers the best he can.
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I think Ted’s doing a great job. It would be easier, I’m sure to give up. I’m glad that’s not our friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely tale Rochelle, there are always good folk out there to look after us, thank God!
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Dear Shrawley,
Nurses are the heroes…then, before then and most recently on the front lines of COVID. Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hello — I’ve been trying to add my links for several weeks, but every time I click the Click to Join link I get a message that This site can’t be reached. Has anyone else been getting this error message?
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I haven’t heard this from anyone. And I’m not sure what to tell you. You can try contacting inLinkz help chat.
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So touching and sad. A beautiful piece.
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Thank you, Athling.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story and a great song to go with it. Thank you for sharing, even if the connection to the picture prompt “stumped” me a little. (Haha, had to say it once it entered my mind to say it.) I get it, the country feeling. Have a great day!
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Dear Anne,
I appreciate your affirming comments. As for “stumped”…not going there. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A powerful story, Rochelle. The last line took my breath away. The sacrifices of those in the medical profession are great, in war, during COVID. They are true heroes. I really liked the added story at the end!
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Dear Brenda,
Your comments always make me smile. Glad you enjoyed both stories. 😉 No argument about who the true heroes are. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So good to see that postcard and get the update on Ted. Thanks for sharing, Rochelle!
Fabulous piece, how fascinating to read about the nurse’s shower.
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Dear Laurie,
The little things we take for granted…like showers. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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In midst of the ugliness of war the human spirit still manages to rise above it all. A touching story and I’ve always loved that song.
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Thank you for your affirming comments, Subroto. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story touched my heart for two reasons. My father was in South East Asia three times (Korea in the 1950s (for the war); Laos in the 1960s, and again in the early 1970s to Viet Nam to help negotiate and set up the Paris Peace Talks that ended the war. So, I have a connection, a thin thread, to the war through my father (he was only in a “fighting” position during the Korean War). As always, your words painted an emotional and evocative storey.
And, the stump: during a windy thunderstorm this week, a tree limb, the size of a tree, came down upon our little house. The rest of the tree, which still towers over our house, is yet to me removed (it’s on a neighbour’s property). The limb has been taken away (an amazing mega-machine experience); now we wait for the landlady’s insurance to okay the repairs, our roof now partly tarps and temporary rafters. As much as I love trees, I would also love to see stumps where several “mighty” oaks tower over our tiny house.
Strange the serendips (like a tree stump image, and your story of the Viet Nam War) that cross our lives.
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Dear Lorraine,
It makes me happy that my story touched you. Thank you for sharing the reasons. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I get carried away with words (or lose them completely) when I’m stressed. Thanks for reading!
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Dear Rochelle,
Such a poignant story.
.
Glad to know Ted is recovering well!
Shalom,
Mags
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Dear Mags,
Thank you for your kind words re my story. And I think, sooner or later, we’ll be hearing from Ted again.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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best wishes to ted!! and hope all is well with all FF authors and you Rochelle 🙂
peace
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Thank you Yvette. Hope all is well with you, too.
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Things are pretty good – just kind of planning out the remainder of the year! Hard to Believe only four months left
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