On A Foreign Shore
From my book Stories of the Lost.
We stand on a foreign shore surrounded by a thunderous, deafening noise. War is definitely hell. Men are screaming in agony and shadows of death can be felt and seen everywhere. You can smell it in the air. Corpses lie scattered , bloated, and rotting on the land.
We are somewhat in shock. The fear we feel is overpowered by the ferocious desire to fight and live through this hell.
In training they used words like ‘determination,’ ‘courage,’ and ‘sacrifice.’ Training is one thing but the reality of war is a different experience. Will I be able to rise to the challenge when faced with danger or will my fear overtake me?
Destruction surrounds us as we march. Do we march toward our death? Is God watching us and protecting us with his shield? Or has he abandoned us completely? Some say there is no God. There cannot be a God who allows death and destruction on this scale.
My thoughts move from God to those I left behind at home. If I return, will they listen to my stories of war? Will they understand all this? The danger, death, sound, taste, feel, smell and horrors of war? They are not here standing in my shoes so doubt clouds my thoughts. How could they possibly comprehend all this? I have trouble processing this even as I stand here amidst the rubble and death.
So many thoughts race through my mind. I think of my parents, wife, siblings, children, and friends at home. Will I return unharmed, unchanged, whole? Or will I sleep forever in this foreign soil.
Will I be among the lost?
If I am, who will tell my story?
And, will anyone listen?
Writing the Story
Writing family history or veteran stories is an important part of the work we do as researchers and historians. Some might argue the veteran’s story is the most important to tell because they sacrificed so much for our freedom. Some even made the ultimate sacrifice. As I wrote above in my book Stories of the Lost, if our family lost a veteran, will they be remembered? Will anyone tell their stories?
It’s been said that no one can be forgotten as long as someone speaks their name. By writing our stories, we enable many others to speak our ancestors’ names, long after we are gone. So what holds us back from writing?
Usually the answer is FEAR.
Are You Ready to Write?
I have a solution to the fear and a few tips to help you write your stories.
- Everyone can write. It just requires us to start putting our thoughts on paper or onto the computer.
- We will never be done researching so you might as well start today.
- You don’t have to publish for the entire world to read. Please do share with your family so they know the stories.
- Start by writing one or two page veteran biographies.
- Expand from there into longer stories.
- Cite your sources so if you choose to publish, you know exactly where you obtained the information. Trust me on this. I’ve edited several client projects where a new writer is telling a story and didn’t cite sources. It adds a lot of time and frustration to writing and editing when we have to go back and figure out where the information came from, so just do it from the start. Add your footnotes and keep writing.
- Do NOT extensively quote or copy from other sources.
- Use credible sources like physical records rather than books, websites, and magazines. Definitely avoid Wiki sites because those can change based on the whim of whomever is in charge of the page or whomever is contributing to the page.
- Keep it simple to start.
- Join a writing workshop or writing group.
If you would like to start writing and need a little support, I have a brand new workshop on January 22, 2024 called Words That Heal. The Power of Writing a Veteran’s Story. I may this again in February 2024 and will offer it to societies, libraries and organizations as part of my speaking options. However, when you take the workshop with me, a private coaching session comes with it.
Learn more & register for this transformative workshop.
Unlock the Power of Your Veteran Stories: A Transformative Program for 2024!
Monday, 22 January 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
As we embark on the journey of a new year, let’s make 2024 a year of profound transformation by honoring the heroes who fought in World War II. As we approach the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings on June 6, it’s time to capture and share the stories of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience.
Have You Shared Your Veteran Stories?
If not, fear not! Our exclusive program is designed to help you effortlessly and swiftly bring your veteran stories to life. Join us on Monday, January 22, for an enlightening 60-minute webinar on writing your veteran stories. This is your chance to embark on a journey of self-expression and healing.
What the Program Includes
60-Minute Webinar
– Gain insights and inspiration during an engaging live webinar that guides you through the art of crafting compelling veteran stories.
30-Minute Private Coaching Session
– Receive personalized guidance and feedback from an experienced coach to enhance the depth and impact of your narratives. This session must be scheduled and used within 30 days of the program or you lose it.
500+ Writing Prompts Book
– Unleash your creativity with a comprehensive book of over 500 writing prompts tailored specifically for capturing the essence of veteran and civilian experiences.
PDF Guide
– Navigate the writing process seamlessly with our detailed PDF guide, packed with tips, Do’s and Don’ts, writing themes, outlines, and more.
Why Join the Program?
– Transformative Experience. Rediscover the therapeutic power of storytelling as you embark on a journey of healing through the written word.
– Honoring Heroes. Pay homage to the brave men and women who shaped history by immortalizing their stories for future generations.
– Guidance Every Step of the Way. Benefit from expert insights and personal coaching to ensure your narratives resonate with authenticity and emotion.
Learn more & register for this transformative workshop.
Have you written your stories and published? Share your book titles in the comments.
© 2024 World War II Research and Writing Center