The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

Roger’s Garage: Catharsis and Realization Through Tattooing

Roger's Garage: Catharsis and Realization Through Tattooing by Pat Gault This first appeared in The Havok Journal June 28, 2016. Eagle River, Alaska is suburbia on the Last Frontier. Rows of cookie-cutter houses line quiet streets below the Chugach Mountains. Summer brings barbecues under a nightless sky and winter brings ice-skating and the muffled sound of laughter … [Read more...]

Tactical Poetry: The Fence

Tactical Poetry: The Fence by Carl Martin Johnson The soldiers came this morning To build for me a fence. They showed up without warning But I said they could commence. The enemy had been seen. I knew there was some danger. I heard the enemy was mean, So I was wary of any stranger. As I watched the troops working, I felt more and more secure. If the enemy was … [Read more...]

Tactical Poetry: Tasting Life

Tactical Poetry: Tasting Life by Carl Martin Johnson He awoke and tasted life, Like morning dew on his lips. As with a newly married wife, He would first take gentle sips. Around him lay dead and dying, Yet Fate let him survive. Departing souls were flying, But he was still alive. He breathed the foul air in, As if it were perfume. He was alive again. He had … [Read more...]

Tactical Poetry: We Who are about to Die

Tactical Poetry: We Who are about to Die by Carl Martin Johnson “We who are about to die salute you!” As is custom, thus we greet. Great Caesar, we fight to suit you. In victory and defeat. This arena is where we kill. Where someday we will die. I and my brothers serve your will. It does no good to cry. I have fought often in this ring Since your legions took me … [Read more...]

The Art of War

The Art of War by Leo Jenkins "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things."   ~John Mill Those married to the miraculous madness of combat need no delineation of the layers comprising its complexity. War is a word, in that word resides a world. Memories created in this time and place are so substantive that they intertwine themselves with our senses. A slight odor … [Read more...]

Journalist Hollie McKay Profile

Journalist Hollie McKay Profile by David Bruce 2018 was the deadliest year on record for journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders. At a time when press patches are used as targets rather than a sign of neutrality, Australian/American Global Conflict Journalist Hollie McKay uses research, instinct, and trusted fixers to capture the story in some of the world’s … [Read more...]

Warrior Poetry: These are Not Tears

These Are Not Tears by Carl Martin Johnson These are not tears running down my cheek. I am sure it must be rain. A sobbing man is shamefully weak, No matter what the pain. I am combat hardened, Accustomed to much death. My enemies go unpardoned. I cut off their final breath. But this battle is one too far. Piles of dead and dying. I am sick and tired … [Read more...]

The Zen of Metal Sculpting

The Zen of Metal Sculpting by Leonard Benton Veterans face myriad stresses. Some have found ways to fight the darkness with art and peace for their souls with creation of beauty. Mine is metal work. Sculpting takes many forms and is one of the ways that the warrior has turned artisan to rekindle the inner calm that increases resiliency and gives them armor for the … [Read more...]

Inside the Premiere of Here Am I, Send Me

Here Am I, Send Me By: Marshall McGurk   “We stand on the shoulders of giants.”  Many giants of Special Operations were present at Narrows Brewing in Tacoma, WA for a special screening of “Here Am I, Send Me.”  The short film chronicled the thoughts and feelings of two teams, Team Freedom and Team Gold Star, as they participated in the 75th Anniversary D-Day … [Read more...]