barefoot_bard

Title: Heroes
Rating: M (Suitable for ages 16 and above)
Disclaimers: Names given in this story are fictional and any relation to actual persons, living or dead, is purely incidental.
Story summary: A soldier realises what it really means to be a hero. Fort Hood, Texas, November 2009.
Author's Note: The captain mentioned below was John Gaffaney, an Army Reserves officer from California. He was one of the thirteen people killed when Nidal Hasan opened fire in the Soldier Readiness Processing Center at Fort Hood.


( The story )

Title: Blame
Rating: M (Suitable for ages 16 and above)
Disclaimers: Names given in this story are fictional and any relation to actual persons, living or dead, is purely incidental.
Story summary: An infantryman cannot cope with losing friends in combat. Fort Lewis, Washington, January, 2009.
Author's Note: Warning for graphic description of gunshot wounds and suicide. This story is based on several events and people I encountered while I was on active duty. There is no happy ending here but this is deliberate. I intend no disrespect with this work of fiction. Don't read this story if you're in a good mood.

( The story )

Title: Shot Glass
Rating: M (Suitable for ages 16 and above)
Disclaimers: Names given in this story are fictional and any relation to an actual person, living or dead, is purely incidental.
Summary: A US Marine remembers a fallen comrade. Arlington National Cemetery, May 2012.
Author's Note: This is not an Age of Sail fic. Any errors or mistakes contained herein are mine and I duly apologise for them.

( The story )

Title: Mirrors
Rating: M (Suitable for ages 16 and above)
Disclaimers: Names given in this story are fictional and any relation to an actual person, living or dead, is purely incidental.
Original pen-date: 10 March 2010
Summary: A 1st Cav soldier struggles to adjust to a life he never wanted. Texas 2008.
Author's Note: This is a dark piece that has been lurking around my brain for some time. It is a collective recollection of the soldiers who suffered burns in combat, many of whom I encountered as patients during my tour at BAMC. If anyone deserves to be called heroes, they do.

( The story )