American Views Abroad

 
The Orphans of War (Die Waisen des Krieges), a report on how four US teenagers who lost a parent in the war in Iraq are coping in Ford Hood, Texas, was on Weltspiegel, a weekly Sundy evening program that covers the world beyond Germany on ARD, one of two national public TV stations yesterday. Jessica was 14 when she lost her father in October 2003 and she still writes him letters though his urn is there in her room on her book shelves. The day she learned of his death was the worst one of her life. She recalled how she and her mother were driving down the street and saw three soldiers standing in front of their house. Then and there she started crying and screaming that they not be there for them. Since then she cannot attend church because she is so angry at having her father taken away from her so early.

Ursula, German widow of Heath Pirtle, who died at age 27 in October 2003 and who wanted to leave the military as soon as possible, constantly thinks of what his last thoughts might have been. She was eight months pregnant when he was killed and she uses his last taped messages from Iraq so his daughter and step sons remember his voice.

Rohan lost his mom and Leeza her dad in the same month half a year ago. Since then they feel as if their emotions are on a roller coaster and they have formed a support group at school with other students --- there are six of them now --- who have to learn to live with their mourning. They would rather speak with their peers than with adults who, they feel, really do not understand what they are going through.

The last one interviewed was 12 year old Lance. His dad, Shane Colton, died when his Apache helicopter was shot down. Through his immediate actions at that moment, he saved the lives of 50 other soldiers. Lance said his life has been changed forever and he has now decided he no longer wants to join the military later on. Was it because of being afraid of dying he was asked. No, he answered, he doesn't want to kill. He and his mother often visit his father's grave where he openly shows his emotions and very often reads aloud the poem he wrote his father two days after his death.
- posted by Gloria @ 12:41 PM