It was 1967 and I was overseas in a recon outfit. It had been many months since I had experienced any contact with a love interest from the good old USA. I had gone to mail call almost daily and received nothing but an occasional letter from my folks. Most of the guys who had come over with a love interest had lost out due to the infamous dear John letters. I was content to pass my time and wait to be released from the army and return home to a life that had been interrupted due to a draft call to the service of my country. At that time in American history there was considerable resentment to the war and to the armed services in general. During an emergency trip home because of severe problems I had been subjected to heckling while traveling through air ports. Wearing a military uniform in public in the United States was not a strategy one would use to become popular among the masses. I was not brought up in a military background and was not thrilled with the idea of someone shooting at me and laying on a piece of ground with most of my body parts missing. I had been raised by responsible parents to act accordingly. I entered the military determined to fulfill that responsibility. I went to mail call in my customary fashion expecting to be ignored. I was rewarded with a letter from a girl that knew my name and knew some things about me. I had never met this woman and her identity had escaped me. She began a writing campaign that would be the envy of anyone. She bombarded me with letters daily and I responded in kind. I was informed that she was an acquaintance of my sister. I had never met her but meant to look her up when I returned to the States. Returning home after all those years was a glorious occasion. I was glad to see my folks and family again. The mystery woman appeared at my parent's door step one day. I had been injured over seas and was wearing a cast on my arm from shoulder to wrist. She offered to drive me around town since I was unable to do so myself. We spent more time together and eventually married. C.G had come from a family of divorce. She was living with her single parent when I was introduced to her. We moved into an apartment. After the cast was removed I enjoyed employment while taking classes at the local college. I had never thought about having children with her but when she told me that she wanted children we were rewarded her with her first pregnancy. During that era women were burning their bras and demanding autonomy and independence. C.G. left me one day and went to her mother's house. She never reconciled with me and we eventually divorced. K.M. was born out of that union. I continually tried to make contact after C.G. moved to another city with my child. C.G. moved from place to place and I eventually lost contact with her. I later learned that she had put an ad in the paper and when I did not immediately answer it she had my child adopted by another person. All the inquiries and communication between K.M. and I had come to a brutal halt. Right before her graduation from high school I found Kriste and tried to rekindle communication. I found out later that C.G. had told my daughter that I was a drunk and a wife beater. None of that was true. She told me that her mother did not want her to talk to me anymore. I honored her wishes. Just six months ago I received information that K.M. was seeking me out and wanted to talk with me. I responded and called the number that I was given. I was told that none of my communication had ever reached her. The gifts and letters that I sent to her were never received. Her mother had told her much information about me that was inaccurate and untrue. Since that time Kriste has accused me of leaving her. That is not true. The years of verbal bashing by her mother has taken its toll. She has looked for the smallest detail in my character that would justify the years of untruth that her mother has told her about me. K.M. has my phone number and e-mail address. The phone does not ring and communication has stopped. I wait for her call but I do not expect much. Though I am desirous of resuming communication with K.M. I am conditioned to disappointment. I have heard that time heals all wounds. I am waiting. |
