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.
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
BLACK DEATH
Henry struggled to catch his breath. The nurse sitting on the chair beside his bed reached over and squeezed his hand. “Can I get anything for you, Sergeant Johnson?”
“Been a long time since anyone’s called me sergeant.”
In three days, fireworks would herald Independence Day 1929. Whose independence? Despite his service, he was still considered less than human in his own country.
“My brother served with you in France.” Her eyes shone. “Says you’re a hero.”
“I just fought for my life. A rabbit would’ve done that.”
Shutting his eyes, Henry heaved a ragged sigh. His broken heart stopped.
Henry was dubbed “Black Death” by the Germans
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Hi Rochelle, this is a moment reminding me of the darkness of history and how lives changed quickly, but attitudes crawled along for decades. Has much changed today? 1929 saw the beginning of the ‘great depression’ and the slow walk through the 1930s into yet another world war.
Today, I realise that humanity cares nothing for individual lives.
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Dear James,
Sad but true. These days it seems we’re going backward. This makes me so sad. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m not going to lie, “Despite his service, he was still considered less than human in his own country.” made me grind my teeth.
Well written.
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Dear Peter,
Mission accomplished. I ground my own teeth as I wrote it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I liked the detail that he died after receiving an act of kindness. Closure, perhaps.
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Dear Neil,
The act of kindness is one I hope happened. The records all say he died alone. What a ‘reward’ for a war hero.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, again, for highlighting the humanity of those whose humanity others refused to see and acknowledge, but whose skill and determination and tenacity they were happy to exploit.
There is much for the US to reckon with, historically, and though there are many times it refuses to, and does all it can to diminish, minimize, and ignore – we do not forget. For we know.
And we remember.
Because it matters. They mattered. They still do.
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
In a time when this history is being minimized we do well to remember those marginalized Americans who gave their all for an ungrateful country. They DO MATTER!!!! Thank you for your comments that mean so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Exactly. They mattered then. They matter now. And it matters immensely that we give them a voice. I agree!
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It is painful when we are confronted with how shoddily our government has treated our servicemen and women of color- and yet this behavior is continued on to this day by removing even the mention of their meritorious service from the rolls.
Very painstaking story to read.
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Dear Violet,
Sergeant Johnson’s name is one that has been removed from a Fort renamed for him. This sets my teeth on edge. It was a painful story to write. Thank you for your understanding comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story took me there. To the hospital room.
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Dear Joy,
Thank you for your affirming comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I felt for the poor man. A shame for all those for whom the appreciation was so long in coming, but for him, come it did. Just in time. Good one, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
Yes, it’s grand that he’s finally gotten the recognition he deserved. How sad that he never lived to see it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Henry’s humility and the reader’s disappointment shine here. Anyone who can read/hear/know this with a dry eye has no heart.
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Dear Lisa,
I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
You are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Amazing story, Rochelle. Terrible how some humans treat other humans.
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Dear Will,
It is indeed terrible how humans can treat each other…and feel justified. That I will never understand. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you wrote this beautifully. What a terrible situation to fight for a country that sees you as less. Hopefully those mistakes won’t be repeated. A good story for this time around the 4th.
Have a great week,
David
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Dear David,
I fear, particularly these days, that if we’ve learned anything from history is that we’ve learned nothing at all. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yeah, I agree with you. I’ve come to realize that while we have more information than every before, the amount of knowledge we have has decreased. Especially about history.
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atleast he heard something positive before he died…
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Dear Nandini,
That part is the fiction. I’d like to think something like this happened for him. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great and beautiful soul he was – thanks for sharing Rochelle 💕
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Dear Angela,
I hate it that this man was passed over so shamefully. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle-
Your story about Henry Johnson is a well-told tale of a brave and humble soldier. However, the continuing maltreatment of our veterans, many of whom are war heroes now struggling to stay alive while living on the streets. How many were treated as less than human upon their return from Vietnam? What an enormous permanent stain on the history of our country. Shame on us.
Shalom,
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
My husband served during the Vietnam era (fotunately, didn’t have to go) and can remember being spit on in the airport. Shameful indeed. It is a stain on our history. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Disgusting! A(nother) shameful period in America’s history.
Shalom.
🕊️
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history repeating itself under trump and his dei mantra. the future doesn’t look good, but hope springs eternal.
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Dear Plaridel,
While I avoid sharing my political views online, I can’t disagree with you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We need more true life stories that affirm the valor of good people.
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Dear Clare,
I fear there are more of these unsung heroes than we’ll ever know. I’m glad that Sgt. Johnson was finally recognized, Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They do say better late than never, but his incredible bravery should have been recognised and rewarded earlier,
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Dear Keith,
The expression that comes to my mind is, “Too little, too late.” How sad that the French awarded Sgt. Johnson their highest medal of honor. His own country looked down their noses. We should be ashamed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is terribly tragic and the reward too little too late. Very evocatively penned Rochelle.
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Dear Dahlia,
I couldn’t agree with you more. Too little, too late. There wasn’t even a descendent to receive the medal for him. Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh this is such a heartbreaking moment you’ve described
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Dear Laurie,
Heartbreaking indeed. I’d like to think there was someone like this nurse with him when he passed but records conflict. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Please continue to write the stories that are trying to be silenced and erased.
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Dear Dawn,
I do my best. Thank you for your encouraging comment. Stand by for the second chapter of this story. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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