The Revenant – Old Glory

by Noah Hoglund

Symbolism. A propellent of growth. A catalyst towards analytical interpretations of reality. Such that, ideologies may be formulated through perceptive experiences. Experiences that foster the desire of entities akin to joy and happiness, yet harbor pain and turmoil subjective to the individual. Realities specific, catered to the heart found searching. A seeking desire for understanding. Longing for an ability to surpass the past which holds on so dearly.

Security is found there, familiarity is found there, for some life…is found there. Cling to the attachment of what is comfortable. A comfort amidst the pain. Pains that are self-established and self-inflicted, all while promoting an unwillingness to drive forward and press on. Thereby creating an indifference that finds root within the soul. Fabrics of the individual formulate themselves around this perception producing a victim to the embodied alpha.

In an honest and humble attempt to propagate for such conversions, an acceptance must be declared internally. This declaration cannot be found through meaningless avenues, but rather must be electively subjective decisions of the mind. Though combat sheltered an abstract atmosphere of comfort, barricades were built. Through war, tears of the individuals’ soul are visibly displayed. Disruptions send an undertone of impendence to the heart. Endless to some, and to many inevitably dictating hopelessness. Transitions begin while frameworks are torn. Foundational productions of human emotion which previously hindered the mission, begin to saturate the heart. Compartmentalization is no longer needed. The disambiguation of security through authenticity is found in the revenant. Genuine pursuit of the future whilst holding in seclusion, pride for the past. This is the transition of the warrior.

I found this flag flying in Iraq. It has taken eighteen months to situate it respectfully in this presentational manner. It was battered, mangled, and torn to unidentifiable conditions. Disfiguration is the most wholesome and simply stated description to express. The flag had flown for an extended period, which remains unknown. It was broken. It was tired. It was wounded. It was virtually destroyed and yet it continued to fly no matter the damage.

Though each white stripe had gone, the integrity of the flag remained. The structure was secure, and the bones were sound. Though the stars half missing, attributably lost in the wind, the reminisce of its strength held on profoundly. This flag is the purest symbol of the weathering afflicted upon the warrior through combat and the resiliency found through the individual no matter the condition.

This flag demonstrates faultless humility amidst the pain and anguish such turmoil inflicts upon the warrior. In the same way this flag has been taken from its post, safely escorted home and carefully mended; the warrior deserves mending. Careful repairment through delicate and deliberate restoration. The warrior, though found battered, disfigured, and torn, fought the good fight and a second chance in this new condition is honorably warranted no matter the time in length.

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Noah Hoaglund is a U.S. Army combat veteran of both OIF and OEF.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.