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 © Sandra Crook
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
Another WWI hero denied his due in his own time.
WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR, DADDY?
Twelve-year-old Elsie listened with rapt attention to Uncle Jim, Daddy’s army buddy from the war.
“There I was, bleeding in that French field, waiting to meet my maker. Then here comes your daddy, larger than life, slings me across his shoulders and runs back to the bunker under enemy fire.”
“Daddy never told me.”
“He’s too modest. It angers me that he never got the Congressional Medal of Honor he so deserved—because he was a Jew.”
War’s not about medals.” William Shemin shrugged. “I love my country.”
Elsie ground her teeth. “Daddy, someday I’m going to right this wrong.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Good one, Rochelle. I think soldiers are generally motivated, not by patriotism or other noble ideas, but by the bond with their comrades
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Neil,
I think that is true to a certain degree. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Well deserved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Joy,
Well deserved indeed. Too bad it took a hundred years. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Brought a tear to my eye.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you, whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
And to think we are grinding right back to the mentality that made something like this possible in the first place! I cannot believe I am living to see this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Violet,
I know what you mean. Sets my teeth on edge. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
His country should love him and others like him. They shouldn’t have needed reminding a hundred years on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
I agree. These war heroes shouldn’t have to wait a hundred years to be recognized by their country. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
So shameful. Thank you for your post honoring this brave man!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
It is a shameful piece of American history. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
They didn’t do it for the recognition, they didn’t go it for the honor, they did it because of their characters. The country who failed to recognize these two heroes because of racist, fascist reasons failed these two men. Another injustice along the centuries of injustice. I KNOW we can do better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lisa,
I’d like to think we can do better, although my confidence is waning. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, I know what you mean. You are welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
LikeLike
Fascinating and heartfelt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mr. B. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
never too late to honor a hero.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True, Plaridel. But wouldn’t it be nice if heroes were honored while they were still alive to enjoy it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this hear rendering story Rochelle ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your confirming comment, Angela.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is terrific. A great true tale as always but one with a pretty good ending too. Well told.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Laurie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s fascinating Rochelle. I’m glad that slight got corrected, although it’s too bad he couldn’t live to see it. I always love your stories based in history. Have a great week.
-David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear David,
It was lovely that a hero was honored, albeit posthumously. Of course the reason for him being passed over sets my teeth on edge. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
They dont do it for recognition but that doesnt make it right to be not recognized. The apathy and power games of those sitting in cushy offices makes my blood boil. Another good piece of history though i can’t help but wish there were no wars…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dahlia,
There was a movie in 1970 titled “Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came. Oh if only. And whlle it’s true these war heroes didn’t do it for the medals, it would still have been nice. Makes my blood boil, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
While I imagine a medal wasn’t his priority that day, if deserving medals is a thing, it can’t depend on race. Glad she got there in the end for him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Jen,
I couldn’t agree more. Medals should be given for merit, not race. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
War is a political game. Survival of self and friends is a soldier’s cause amongst the danger and face of death.
LikeLike
From James.
LikeLike
Dear James,
War is a political game and fighters are the pawns. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
here is my response:
https://lisaapaul.home.blog/2025/07/18/happily-ever-after/
LikeLike
Dear Lisa,
Welcome aboard! I have copied your link into the inLinkz list. You’ll find more readers there than in my comment section.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, is there any chance you can put a description of the image, for blind people like me, so we could participate too in the prompt?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Carol Anne,
Let me see what I can do. I started posting the audio for a blind friend. I’m pleased that you joined us this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I’m glad that justice prevailed in the end. I wish all such injustices were resolved, and more speedily than this was. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sandra
I’;m glad he was honored in that way and it was lovely for the family. Just seems too little too later. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
What a sad and unfair story. I am glad that in the end the injustice was righted, but the length of time it took is awful. Thank you for sharing, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Brenda,
While the wrong was righted to a degree, the damage was done IMHO. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
We thought we were past this, righted the wrongs, but here we are.
Thanks Rochelle, never stop telling the stories!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dawn,
I wonder how many stories like this are out there. It doesn’t seem we’re past it, does it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too many wrongs to right over the years.
Struggling to post. Password problems!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Patrick,
Trying to right those wrongs is like trying to glue confetti back together. Thank you. Glad you could post.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike