Brothers
written by: James Howard
I can still see us lying in that torn, muddy tent, cold and wet. We were just kids. You were from Montana; I was from Massachusetts. We talked for hours about what it’s like back home. You told me about working on the ranch and how one day it would be yours. I told you about my small town. We talked about our families and about our favorite girls. Yours was named Virginia. You said she had these beautiful, sleepy brown eyes that pierced your soul the moment you first looked into them. You loved her dearly. I still remember. I’ll always remember. I can never forget.
You were my brother; you took the blast for me.
I got to go home; you didn’t. I got to marry my girl. You didn’t. We were married for a long time. She passed away recently, and now I miss two people the most. I always wondered what happened to Virginia. I always wondered what happened to your parents, to your brothers and sisters. You talked about them constantly. I felt like I knew them. I got to see mine again; you didn’t.
You were my brother; you took the blast for me.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. We became fast friends in a place we shouldn’t have been. In a place, no kid should ever have to go.
We never finished our back home talks. We had to cut it short. We had to scramble to answer the call. We had to fight. They came in fast and unexpectedly. We were greatly outnumbered, but we fought valiantly. We held them off. It looked like we both would get out unharmed. It seemed like we were safe in our foxhole. But they moved again. I was caught off guard. You weren’t; you saw. You laid on that grenade.
You were my brother; you took the blast for me.
You sacrificed your life so that I could keep mine. You gave up the ranch, your family, Virginia, and all your dreams. You talked about getting married and starting a family. You never knew what it was like to take those vows or to hold your newborn child. I did because of you. I had a whole full life because of you. You were with me on my wedding day. You were there the day each of my children was born. My firstborn son carries your name, as does my firstborn grandson. Everything in my life was because of you. Heroes live forever.
You were my brother; you took the blast for me.
I’m nearing the end of a long, full life now. One day soon, I’ll peacefully cross over. I can only hope that when I do, you will be there waiting. You will meet my wife. I’ll meet your family, and maybe even Virginia. I’ve got so much I want to say to you. I’ve so much I want to tell you. I want to shake your hand and embrace you. We can finish our talks. We can laugh again like we used to. We can be 19, we can be brothers – again.
- Spotlight On Writers – James Howard - October 11, 2025
- Brothers - August 20, 2025
- Joey - March 2, 2025
