Member-only story
Boys Die. We Should Care.
Thinking about courage and honor
I was reading about June Wandrey Mann today. She was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Nurses Corps, from Wautoma, Wisconsin. She served during WWII in Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. During that time, she won eight battle stars. She also wrote a book her time in the military, called Bedpan Commando.
She shared a story from her time in the military that brought tears to my eyes.
“An eighteen year old boy is carried into the shock ward, and he looks up at me trustingly asking, “How am I doing, nurse?” I just kiss his forehead and say, “You are doing just fine soldier.” He smiles sweetly and says, “I was just checking,” Then he dies. We all cry in private. But not in front of the boys. Never in front of the boys.” — June Wandrey
Sometimes when we think of the wars of the past, we focus on the historic events. We focus on politics. Or if we are anti-war, we might think poorly of the soldiers.
We forget that many of those who died were just boys.
Eighteen years old.
What hopes and dreams died with that soldier who Wandrey kissed on his forehead? Was he missing his mother?
What do we lose when young people die?
