The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn

It’s Memorial Day Weekend: Let people BBQ!

It's Memorial Day Weekend: Let people BBQ! by Sailor Jerri When people thank us for our service on Memorial Day, our go-to is getting angry. We lash out and puff up and tell this uneducated civilian, “Don’t Thank Me… thank the ones who didn't make it back.” Frankly, Veterans, we need to do better. As sad as it is for us to admit, many people just don't know the … [Read more...]

From Ritual to Reality: Because He Lives

From Ritual to Reality: Because He Lives by Scoti Domeij This first appeared in The Havok Journal March 27, 2016 My annual nostalgia of Easter now blossoms in reverse. My firstborn was killed in Afghanistan in the fall of 2011, the wild season of skeletal trees surrendering their fiery leaves to swirl and spiral into oblivion. Winter’s crushing mourning forged … [Read more...]

I Love You Still

I Love You Still by Britta Reque-Dragicevic The words do not pour forth; they catch in my breasts, clutch at my throat, refuse to be told. I can’t write of finding your body, your warm blood melting the cold snow, the fixed gaze of your eyes forever staring into darkness. That same darkness I was not able to save you from. I can’t write of how my being tore in two, … [Read more...]

From Ritual to Reality: Because He Lives

From Ritual to Reality: Because He Lives by Scoti Domeij My annual nostalgia of Easter now blossoms in reverse. My firstborn was killed in Afghanistan in the fall of 2011, the wild season of skeletal trees surrendering their fiery leaves to swirl and spiral into oblivion. Winter’s crushing mourning forged ahead—unstoppable, bringing life as I knew it to an abrupt halt. … [Read more...]

I Recognize My Brother as “The Deceased”

I Recognize My Brother as "The Deceased" by Anonymous “I recognize my brother as the deceased.” Words I never thought I would write. Words no one prepares you for… Words no thing prepares you for. It’s not supposed to be this way, And it is this way. He’s gone. _____ “I recognize my brother as the deceased.” Mission mode. Official business. Transactional. I am not … [Read more...]

The Deadliest Day of Operation Iraqi Freedom

The Deadliest Day of Operation Iraqi Freedom by Charlie Moose In late January of 2005, the Lava Dawgs had just left the city of Fallujah after 75 days of some of the most intense, offensive operations of scale in the Iraq War. Everyone was elated to have survived. They were each given 2 beers per man as a late Christmas covenant. The snap and pop of aluminum cans gave clear … [Read more...]

The Grief We Carry

The Grief We Carry by Brad Thomas     This segment or installment is a departure from the story that I’m here to tell. It’s a story about something I’ve been carrying with me and that I’ve needed to say for the better part of twenty-six years. This is about a very recent personal discovery and my intent in this article is to connect with anyone who may … [Read more...]

“Goodbye”: My Daily Burden from Suicide

"Goodbye": My Daily Burden from Suicide by Shara Hegr In 2011 when my husband was critically wounded while serving in Afghanistan, I incorrectly assumed I knew the greatest depths of emotional turmoil and grief. Unfortunately, just three years later my dad committed suicide on my 30th birthday—once again, throwing me into despair. My birthday began with a surprise … [Read more...]

All I Want for Christmas

All I Want for Christmas by Chris Mattingly Dear B, I was told not to write this, I was told you would resent me even more than you do. I have decided not to come visit you for the holidays.  My views of the holidays are now skewed and broken, I don't think I have ever had a normal holiday, until last year when you came with me to Colorado, but even that was … [Read more...]