Causing A Death: It Should Matter

In my opinion, this is by far your best work. Shortly after my dad's 50th birthday, which also happened to be the year I turned 21, he sat down next to me while mom and my brother were out. And he told me about the day he was forced to take another person's life while serving in Vietnam. Then he finished with, "I haven't told anyone else that story, and I'd like to keep it that way." The day of his funeral, I shared his story with my family. You are so right on, it does cost a man dearly. And the taking of a life SHOULD cost a lot.

Now you know me and how much I don't like heavy stuff, so I'll leave you with this: When it was getting to be time to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up, I was talking with my parents about joining the army. Dad asked me what I wanted to do in the army. Since I was a pretty darn good marksman (backed up with all my shooting medals and awards), I said I wanted to me a sniper. Dad laughed and said, "Well, you definitely have the heart and mind for it, you are a cold b*tch. Too bad they don't allow women to be snipers." I was bummed, not that dad had said I was a heartless b*tch, but because the Army was so shortsighted about women's role in the military. :)

Well done, bigbro, voted up and more!

Great hub on a traumatic subject.

I think those who kill without much thought have lost something. They have lost their humanity. Whether done for thrill, revenge, or greed, they go through life with the simple minds of predators looking for the next meal.

May we never find cause to discover first hand the trauma that goes with killing.

I also think that this piece is your finest so far - what a gift you have, both as a writer and as a kind, compassionate human being. Bravo Bill!

I almost didn't read this.....the part of the title that says "....taking a life" made me pause. I knew it would be about death and I've had more than enough....and then I decide to read it. Glad I did. The story of your friend Jerry Petrich really summed up for me all the feeling and questions I've had about how someone can shot, stab, etc. etc. another person and walk away OK or not.... I often wonder about our police officers and I do know there are some who join to protect and serve for very admirable reasons, but there are some who don't.

Your words about Jerry preparing for a day that he hoped would never come says so much. In this often violent world we need those who can protect us but my God at what price to them and to their families.

Aw, thanks bigbro! :) The respect is mutual. :) I got a new heart when I went to see the Wizard. :)

This is where good writing comes from. Thanks for going through what you went through to put this on paper (computer) for the rest of us.

Fantastic gripping read Bill! I agree that life is preciou and sacred and should never be stolen by such selfish people. Everyone is someone's child. It's sad that some people can't see beyond themselves. Voted up and awesome. Take care, Kelley

Bill - I agree that this was really great writing!

I could kill someone if it was me or them or my kids. No doubt. Other than that - I don't really even like to kill bugs!

Bill, this made me teary eyed. Great work, I do not even know you really, but this one made me feel like I know so you much! Voted up, and shared!

You are welcome Bill, anytime! And thanks for the follow, I appreciate it!

"Life is not about finding the courage to pull the trigger. Life is about finding the courage to live after the trigger has been pulled."

What a quote. Wow.

This hub was excellent.

bill....This is powerful. I especially noted your comment about "ptsd," before it was identified as such......because my heart has always ached for our Vets who cam home with invisible wounds and scars, as well as visible.

I do believe your average non-military citizen does not focus, nor even think about the hundreds of thousands of men & women who carry ghosts around with them throughout their life......

And then....we turn on the local news, pick up the daily paper...and are confronted with the evils and brutalities of man upon his fellow-human. Torture, rape, murder, slaughter.....children dying at the hands of predators and abusers.

We writers are word-smiths.....may have incredible command of our native language.......and yet, I cannot struggle and grope any harder ,to find the "words" to describe my horror, disgust, sadness, disbelief.......for such human behavior......What IS always clear and undeniably real for me, is the out-of-control, raging fire within my gut.

Voted UP +++

I feel that life is precious as well, all life. Honestly I also have compassion for those like your friend Jerry it must be devastating to the psyche to kill another person. I appreciate how openly you talk about these very sensitive topics.

Just this past week, Bill, with unemployment claims rising again and a lagging economy, crime is rampant on the streets in St. Louis. A 14-year old girl, walking home, was shot in the face by an unknown assailant. She died 2 days later. A few weeks ago, a young policeman, responding to a burglary, was ambushed by the one of the robbers, who jumped up from a dumpster and shot the policeman 3 times, leaving him permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

Young men and women, who joined the military for diverse reasons, some for the bonuses promised or the chance to go to college on the GI bill, with the hope of a better future, are now coming home to no jobs, no homes, life with disabilities with little help from the government and broken dreams. Your piece, from the heart, is beautiful and sad. My dad served as an army medic in WWII, stationed in the Philippines. He never talked about what he saw. It seems "The Greatest Generation" believed real men bucked up, did what was expected and kept their mouths shut. But, on occasion I see one of the few remaining survivors and they are still moved to tears when asked about the war. Old now, with failing health, eyesight or memories, they remember every friend or stranger that died in front of them.

I cannot speak for what goes on across the rest of the country, but in St. Louis, conceal and carry has been part of the growing violence in the city. Every day I see news of killings, all involving guns. RealHousewife recently wrote about an incident of road rage, where an elderly man cut off a pair of motorcyclists. One of the cyclist got off his bike, approached the car and the two engaged in an argument that culminated in the driver of the involved car shooting the motorcylist in the chest. He is recovering and no charges were filed, as law enforcement deems the shooter's actions justifiable. For the first time in my life, I will be afraid to come to the aid of another, as no one knows who is armed or not. The problem is that although citizens are always advised to call the police, I have seen too many reports of those who have chosen law enforcement as their career, trigger happy, be it with bullets or a taser. I don't have answers. There will always be war and there are circumstances where deadly force is the only option. And, as long as humans are making split second decisions that involve either, there will be tragedies with consequences that last a lifetime.

Thank you, Bill, for one of the finest, thought-provoking, important pieces I have read in a long time.

Bill, this is a beautiful, eloquent, and yes, disturbing piece of work . A story of the human conditions that rock one to the very core, as well it should. Though we now tout our once shunned war veterans as heroes, I believe we see only what we wish to. See only that with the honor we bestow on them, we somehow make up for their experiences. It is not often that the pain that will stay with them always is even considered. You have brought to the for front of our thoughts, the devastating cost to one's soul, when taking a life.

I for one am greatly touched by your beautiful work of art. With tears still in my eyes, I thank you for your superbly emotional look into a terribly sad subject.

It is a strange thing Bill. I too feel as if I have known you much longer. Seems we are quite similar in our beliefs and life experiences.

I am not sure what is going on with fb. All kinds of trouble lately. It may be my settings. Are you under your full name? I will try to friend you.

Just sent it :D

I just asked my students an ethical question on murder and having to kill someone to survive or protect their loved ones. It is a question that we hate to have to think about. You have written a great response to this question. You were blessed with such great parents who taught you well. Loved the video post. I agree with the casual facebook posts having to be written out. Love is not something to take so casually. (Luch's meowing was endearing in the background!).

My dear friend, I too, wasn't sure what this hub was about, but you wrote it, so I read. I'm glad I did.

I come from an Air Force family. My Daddy (natural father whom my mom divorced when I was 6) is a retired Major. He was a fighter pilot and flew in Nam. My Uncle John, also my Godfather, passed away this past December at age 82. He was a pilot in WWII. Several months before he died, he sent me a CD of over 2,000 family photos, including many from his days in the USAF. I cherish them and have used some of them in my HP posts.

Uncle John also sent me his memoirs about his Air Force career. I'm ashamed now to admit, I've yet to read them. I will now. In fact, I will get permission from my cousin to publish his memoirs.

In the 60's, when America's voice spoke loudly against Viet Nam (you and I both have posted our thoughts on that era), I was dead set against war and the military. I'm still dead set against war, but I have a tremendous amount of pride and respect for those who choose to put their lives on the line for the freedom and opportunity we take for granted. I've done a complete 180 on my stance of the military. Especially since the draft is no longer mandated. Those who choose this way of life are the bravest, strongest people who believe deeply in "don't do the talk unless you can do the walk". They are true heroes and an inspiration to ALL of us to fight for that which you believe!

My Air Force heroes haven't taken lives by hand, up front and close, but they did what they had to do and that resulted in lives lost. I can't imagine living with that, but again, you have to respect those who have and don't let it ruin their own lives. After all, unfortunately, our society has made war necessary in order to gain and/or maintain peace. Talk about oxymoron, huh? In fact, I have a couple of early writings regarding the peace via war actions. Maybe I'll post them one day.

You've once again inspired me, Bill, to write something new. The last was, "What Has Happened to Our Voice?", as the result of your hub about the 60s.

This is a very important message you've put forth, Bill. Life isn't all about laughs and gardening and dreams. It's also about respecting and remembering those who make our dreams possible!

Sending you a long, bear hug and a few tears of respect from Florida.

Sha

P.S. I'm sharing this one!

Working on it, Bill! BTW, with the changes HP has made to the appearance of our hubs, where the hell is the share button?

Billybuc, this is a grim subject, but you've given it thoughtful treatment. I think your father's answer -- "veterans who never returned from the war" -- is heartbreaking in its accuracy. I had an uncle in WWII. He helped liberate Nordhausen, a concentration camp for nazi prisoners who were too sick to work. My uncle never told his family a word about what he saw there (or anything else much about the war). I suspect he had PTSD.

My father said that his personality was so changed, he hardly recognized him as his brother.

I think this is one of the best things I've read of yours so far.

It took my son (teenagers always know what to do on computers) to find the share button for me. That and the up button.

The up button is now a thumb up next to useful.

The share button says hubpages followers just below Pinit

We all have a dark side in our human psyche. We enjoy movies that glorify violence. Games are design to encourage battle and competition. Contact sports like boxing and the now popular Mix martial arts fights feed our blood lust. Go to any event and watch the crowd roar with approval every time blood is drawn. It is no different from the coliseum of ancient Rome. Societies are form with built-in defenses against outside intrusion. Waving the flag is encourage among our children and war is government sanctioned murder. Even the church bless weapons of destruction and the soldiers that use them. "God is on our side" and " We go into battle for the glory of God and country" are common cliché on both sides.

BTW, I love "Siddhartha" . It is among one of my favorite books. Also enjoyed your armchair "ramblings" :) Peace and love.

billybuc,

This is a very true and wonderful, though difficult, piece of writing. We all have family members who always sat in the corner on holidays, never speaking or joining in the fun. When we asked our parents, they would say something like, "Uncle Joe was never the same when he came back from the war." I know a man who is a 7th degree black belt, who served in the Air Force in Vietnam. He tells few that he flew a bomber, and seems haunted when he discusses it the little that he does. He seems so ashamed, yet came from the Deep South and was so young, he did what people told him was the "right" or "manly" or "brave" thing at the time. War and violence are so glorified, and this piece has made it clear the high price we all pay when we kill, even if it is to save another. I would like to see this piece nominated as a Hub of the Day, rather than another stupid recipe or How To Give Your Dog a Bath hub. Thanks for your honest and thoughtful take on how deeply death affects us all.

i sit in my 6 by 6 room wondering what brought me here.

Martin Kloess 33

This was beautifully and thoughtfully expressed. Few of us really know, especially if we never were put into those situations, what we would lose in having to take a life.

My dad was on the cusp of being drafted in WWII, but his age and being a father of two-- and the end of the war, kept him home, working in the shipyards. He was such a kind soul, I think he would not have been a 'good' soldier.

My uncle, on the other hand, survived Pearl Harbor, served in the Pacific and helped to occupy Japan. He apparently did such a good job, that they invited him to the Korean conflict where he flew a medivac helicopter. He didn't talk much about any of it.

After his death,which was s hastened by alcoholism, his kids found a hidden stash of carefully wrapped medals including a bronze star and commendations for heroism-- No one ever knew, and I think they did not hold any glorious memories for him.

Whoever said "War is Hell", seriously understated.

I can't figure out how to "share" a great hub even though we have all these features now. I appreciate the way this piece was written without bringing religion or politics into the matter too. I went to "Forums" and "Suggest A New Feature", and was told we could share a hub with others that way. I hope you don't think me too forward for doing so billybuc, but you were so eloquent about life, without looking to blame anyone for the reasons, whys or why nots. This piece deserves attention.

A very realistic view of the act of taking a life, Billy. It's easy to believe it would be a simple matter when asked, but nothing this final is ever as simple as it seems on the surface.

My father landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and went on into Germany with Patton's tank corp. A very brave man--no doubt about it--but he did not dwell on the taking of life during his memories of the war.

Not many true warriors do. A very revealing hub, and rated up as it should be.

Randy SSSSS

Jean, you can share by clicking the Hubpages followers which is now located under the pin it button to the lower right of the hub. My son had to direct me to it.

Ahhh,

Thank you. I ask my son so many computer related questions that I try to ration them, although he's always patient!

Ha ha, I got the answer from my son. Thank goodness for teens.

Hi Billy,

"Taking the life of any human being SHOULD cost a man dearly." I don't 100% agree. What about Luka Magnotta who not only killed his lover Jun Lin but dismembered him and mailed Lin's body parts to different locations. One of the locations was to a Vancouver school. If it is proved with out a doubt that Magnotta is guilty, I believe he should be put to death.

Bill, I just wanted to stop by and say congratulations on this hub; it has been such a hit, and I am sure it has made a lot of people think!

Awesome job, and have a great weekend!

My friend Tom has many stories to tell. One being when his gun jammed while looking into the eyes of the enemy. thankfully a friend took him out. War is hell and I hate it, but i honor those who fought for our country. My friend also is the recipient of two purple hearts. His remark to me was , " It hurts to kill another" and i know it must. Thank's for your share..

You are welcome Bill. And thanks for the encouragement, I really appreciate you!

Dear Billy, I do not really know what to say. This article is so clear, dry, sad, real, disturbing, and remarkable. You shake our hearts and open wounds. I think so much about this topic which is so complex and delicate. There are so many questions I would have to ask. Thank you for writing about this topic. Voted up.

A very well written piece Bill. Your father’s words are very wise.

My grandmother had a brother who fought in WW1 and was never the same again. In those days they called it shell-shocked, and he lived most of his life after war in a mental hospital. Harry Patch, a WW1 veteran who lived to be 111, never spoke about the war till he was 100. He described it as a waste of time, saying that in the end all wars are settled round a table.

My view is that each of us needs to address our internal war before killing will ever end.

There is so much I could say regarding this hub, Bill, I could quite easily write pages and pages on this subject as it is something I think of a lot and I have thought about writing a hub on, and maybe I still will. The gist of my hub however is covered right here, for I also believe no one has the right to take the life of another. I cannot understand the mind of a killer and my heart bleeds for your father and for mine, as both fought in wars for their countries and both were expected to kill. My father was your Uncle Mike. For over 50 years PTSD plagued Dad and it was not until Alzheimer's freed him of those torturous memories that he finally found peace in his child's mind again.

Life is sacred and I am appalled by the way killing is glorified in movies. I am also appalled by those who find humour in killing and death. I could go on and on, but there is no need, as I said your hub is to the point and says what needs to be said on this matter and I applaud you for stance and stand right beside you.

This is an excellent hub, thank you for sharing. My votes and best wishes to you, Bill.

You father and my grandfather belonged to a lost generation of men of integrity and respect for life. I am sure that many of the horrors of WWII have died along with this exceptional generation as they commonly never spoke of the horrors of what they saw.

On the flip side, I have worked in human services in one of the poorest counties in the nation. I have served batterers, child molesters, rapists, and murderers. While being in the presence of these people, ones skin does crawl, however there seems to be no remorse, conscience, or soul behind these quilty faces. In this area of poverty, drug abuse, and an overloaded court system, these people re-enter society quickly and just carry on. The community is just desensitized to the nature of their crimes. For someone moving to that area after living in an area where this doesn't happen day to day is emotionally taxing. For them there is no scar tissue, no sleepness nights regretting what they have done. It is hard to be the only one appalled by these horrendous crimes. Even leaders of these agencies will tell a person like me to not be judgemental. One day if I have ever come to terms with it I will write about it, but like you, I think the life of another is sacred. Great, great hub!

Such a poignant hub billy. We expect all these young men and women to protect us but don't really know what it's like to perform that extreme act of protection. They give so much (and get precious little for it, I think). However, I have known someone in the army who actually was looking forward to shooting someone; I didn't speak to him again after those words. Death is bad enough without causing it oneself. Voted up. Ann

This is powerful and in many ways -- ethereal -- worded in ways of the celestial spheres. "Life is vibrant colors....finding the courage to live after the trigger is pulled..."

But I had to stop, go away, think and come back. As a mother and as a believer in the words and holiness of the New Testament and the Old Testament -- and the Book of Mormon -- with all of their accounts of war and God our Father and also Jesus Christ, His Son, knowing all things -- I do not believe I would suffer unduly emotionally if I had had to take a life in order to protect one of my children when they were too small to protect themselves. Now that they are older, I believe the same motherly instinct would kick in but I cannot picture a scenario as vividly as if they were little.

My brother was in the Airforce as an officer -- originally as a jet fighter pilot and then up the ranks and in public relations during Desert Storm. I know for sure he would not have hesitated to do his duty in a war situation.

War and self-defence and protecting our family are situations the Lord has sanctioned our taking a life if we need to.

But I do understand you are talking about the walking wounded who saw so many horrific things and also sometimes civilians were among the killed. Not nearly enough compassion, counseling and support has been there for the troops as they come back to their home continent.

I must comment on Fennelseed's reply. Fennelseed, I've never heard such an eloquent or hopeful observance of how Alzheimer's relieves the mind of tragic memories. Most of what you read is how sad it is to see a loved one's memory fade.

I think a hub expounding on your observation of the blessings of Alzheimer's might be in order!

This hub is yet one of your best hubs of them all Bill, I have never taken a life, and hope that day never comes if I have to do it to save myself or that of one of my family members as well.

I like your fathers perspective on life he seemed like an honorable dude, and one who never lacked the moral justice or judgement of a true human being who cares, this must be why you have become such a caring man today.

I too don't understand the whole senseless killing thing, and luckily I haven't yet witnessed anything of that nature neither. We both have been blessed because in today's day an age people kill for a dollar, or for somebody stepping on their shoes, or staring at their woman, or even more petty things, its just a shame.

Voted up and as far as I can share it, I located this one from my website location I recently shared your hubpages feed on. Awesome work man!

Bill, you are one of the kindest, caring, loving souls I've ever met! Your concern is genuine, you write from the gut and despite all that is and has gone on throughout our lifetime, your sense of humor is right up front. I can't tell you enough how much I love and respect you. Pretty amazing for never having laid eyes on you! You rest in my heart and intellect, my friend. You are an amazing person!

Did I tell ya, Bill that you are full of wise words and indeed blessed that you could uncover the chapters of your life wisely and with a positive attitude.

This was a such a wise topic and your discussion sure nailed it. Voted up as useful and sharing it across.

This is such a thought provoking hub. And I agree with you. Taking a person's life for any reason should cost dearly. When it stops doing so, we lose some of our humanity.

Wow, I had goosebumps as I read about your dad and uncle's stories. Thank-you for sharing this hub about war, family, and most of all our human connections. Take care my friend.

Now, it's my turn to blush! :-)

Happy Father's Day, my friend!

Great hub. My dad too I know killed in war but somehow I knew not to ask questions and he never once brought it up. A sadder thing is much of the killing did not have to be. Young boys forced to go kill is such a sad thing. Guess we were lucky our dads coped with their memories. Voting up.

Billy, I wanted to stop by and say that is awesome how many people you have been able to touch with this story. Maybe some people will be touched in ways you will never even see or know about until later on in life, if even at all. But, that is ok, it is still a tremendous blessing to be able to touch people, and that is what you are trying to do here(I can see that clear in your heart, even without even ever meeting you!) So again great job, well done! Consider yourself proud! :)

You have done good with the portrayal of this story! :)

Thanks friend! :)

Bill, you are very welcome! You enjoy your Sunday as well!

P.S You should check out the new hub I published, I am interested on what people think of it(KUBB: A Game for all ages)

And has promised, the serious, perosnal hub is coming tomorrow; I have just been processing it in my mind for clarity and thought :)

I also want to say, thank you! You have been an incredible encouragement to me as new hubber to get my feet wet and express myself! So thanks Bill, my new hub friend! :)

Ok sounds good, and yes Bill, I will defnitely do that!

I have all ready helped some people who have literally just started, so(a little newer than me) lol :)

And I will continue to do so; I want to return the favors you and a select few have done for me; I want to do that for others :)

Excellent hub sir. Life is very precious. Thank you for sharing this story and may it touch all its readers' hearts. Always, you're the best.

Bill, I never thought of what I would do in th situation if I had to kill. I am sure my body would react in some way if such a situation did occurr...imagine!

What I do know...This paragraph made complete sense to me and was probably my favorite message from you...

"No, life is not composed of shades of gray. Life is vibrant colors, exploding hues of red and orange, blue and green. Life is not the childhood games of Cowboys and Indians or GI Joe; life is real blood, real muscle, real pain and real loss. Life is not about finding the courage to pull the trigger. Life is about finding the courage to live after the trigger has been pulled."

Thank you Bill :)

Bill, a very interesting and thought-provoking hub. My grandfather serves in WWII and was liberated at Dunkirk so I imagine he saw some terrible things. My dad says he never talked about it though and I have heard other people say this about their fathers/grandfathers; I suppose I can understand why you would prefer to just let things be if you had either killed someone else or seen someone else killed. Your own life probably feels doubly precious.

Bill, you have such a gift for writing something that inspires so many. Interestingly, as I type this, I'm using my dad's computer. He is on his way to the Air Force Academy to pick up my niece who participated in sports camps there. My dad served 20 years in the Air Force. I suppose that strict lifestyle and high expectations percolated down to me. However, it made me never want to engage in war and truly enjoy my freedoms in this life, even if that means I have hippie tendencies. :) In any case, I wanted to come stop by and see what this was about - I haven't had much time to read in my travels. However, I always try to take time out to read your hubs when I can because they're just so touching. Keep writing, my friend. You are an inspiration to all of us. Hubhugs and have a great day, big bro. :)

Hey, Bill I just woke up, I work the overnight shift; yeah that is a good idea about writing about my twin brother, I will do that sometime! Thanks Bill! :)

Ok, i just will have to think about it Bill, because I am not sure what I would write about it. But, yes i will write about it at some point! :)

Hehehe, I did rest, from 8-130. I am well rested actually, I think! :) LOL

I am ok with it for some reason, my body has adapted very well! Thanks for the good luck uncle Bill :)

I came back for another read--sharing socially!

I'm back too. I've been telling everyone about this piece so it's time to do a bit more sharing.

Bill, I don't know if it's my computer, but I've not been able to watch your videos because I can't get the volume up enough.

Hey Bill, I just watched your video all the way through! You have a great presence! Very nice job uncle!:)

And great definition of unconditional love, kudos to your wife! :)

Thank you for sharing this personal story. I can see you have reached out to many readers. I can't imagine what it would feel like taking someone's life. I'm sure many of the old men I meet at my job have had to deal with this, because they have been in World War II.

You are very welcome, anytime! Loved your definition of unconditional love and just how personal you are! "Back to love, nothing more important, absolutely nothing more important....and if its love...if love is the priority, why do we not spend more time concentrating on it.... Why do we spend more time saving up money to buy possessions, when we could work one job and be with the people we love?" Excellent quote Bill!

You are welcome, yes I can definitely see that actually! :) Bill, I just liked your facebook writing page, where is your actual fb profile, or do you not have one? ok never mind just got your friend request hehehehe.

Hi Bill, I know. I'm spending every minute outside now and enjoying the summer. Summers are short in Finland and people simply can't stay inside when it's warm outside. I'm not sure when I'll write my next hub, but I'm thinking of writing about "Nordic walking".

Hehe, sorry uncle :)

This insightful and haunting description you wrote about the 5 war veterans who always walked together 5 decades ago is the true face of PTSD:

"They showed no signs of injury, no canes were needed, no visible scars apparent, just five men drifting through the landscape as others truly lived their lives. I would see them and yet not see them, like the wind blowing through the tree limbs. They were invisible to all, as if their bodies were held together by angel’s wings and the breath of death, rather than muscle and bones."

Chilling and accurate and many of our current soldiers in Iraq and Afganistan are coming home indeliby scarred even when they're not consciously aware of how deep their emotional wounds are. Some will eventually receive help but many will suffer in silence.

I agree with what others have written in the comments- this is a powerful essay and one of the best hubs you've ever written.

Hub Hugs,

Gail

I enjoyed my moments with Bill. Your thought-provoking comments on love were spot on and earned my daughter an extra "I Love You!" this morning. Thank you for putting your wisdom out here for us to enjoy and benefit from. Mary

Billybuc! Oh, if more people were like you, "What a wonderful world this would be."

Bill, killing or taking a life is one big life changing step for the ordinary man but do criminals feel the same way we do? Because if they did most of them would not commit these senseless killing again and again.

Voted up, awesome.

What a beautiful and touching story. My father grew up in Greece during WWII and even though he was just a child, the deaths he saw and experienced still haunt him. War is not pretty and to take a life is something no human being should ever have to do. Thanks for sharing this amazing hub.

An amazing piece of work, so many truths. I believe mankind is inherently good, but life can change us, hardship, war, drugs, alcohol, pain etc... you're right, when we take a life we lose a bit of our soul, that is as it should be, even when it is done for the best of reasons.

Incredible...the way you've touched it.

I too have been in a situation once where I chose not to kill. Even today, thinking of that moment really petrifies me. What if?

I know, for many it's a part of their duty but that too should mean something something to them.

I've known an uncle of mine...who used to be really hurt if he had to take someone's life, be it the intruders planning to cross the border of our nation. He would fight for nation eventually...but skip the meal that night. I've known him since long and despite being in Army, he has a heart of gold.

'up' and 'awesome'

You are right Billy...you cannot take something that isn't in your power to give...that's why I feel serving our nation is a different thing...because then you're only a medium...which is compensated by 'doctors' working for the nation!

Thanks if I could really reach out to you!

Very true...I've only recently joined HubPages and I'm really glad I came across this hub.

Started 'following you' just now...and found some brilliant topics I'd surely like to read.

Sorry that I skipped the 'fan mail' part...Please take this as one!

Thanks to you too for making me realize I'm not wasting my time here. I've got so much to learn here.

Bill, I sense your nephew inheritance growing!

Seriously, see what you have to offer? You've gained so many friends and people who look up to you, me included, as you know. Your brave decision to leave a secure job to become a freelance writer, subsequently leading you to HubPages, is part of God's plan for you. You speak from the heart, earn a living via your passion and you are still teaching, whether you know it or not. You give advice, offer friendship, but more importantly you teach self-worth, tenacity, strive and drive and nurture those of us who have grown to love you.

God took you through your personal trials to see if you recognized what he had in store for you and whether you could ride the storm. You've come out strong and are now doing God's work. May we all see the day when we recognize the plan God has intended for us all along.

You have balls and you have wings. It's on your wings I'm hitching a ride until mine are strong enough to carry myself.

Now, may I say, with the following you have you need to strengthen your body to be as strong as your heart and soul. Give up the cheeseburger cassarole and eat your vegetables!

Love Ya, Friend!

Sha

Dear billybuc,

It is very nice to hear you talk (thanks for the video) and if I were in a class and you're my teacher, I would pay great attention to you and your topics. And here, your hub about "Life or Taking a Life" is very endearing. I love how you explained about Life, the ending of one's dear life (justified meaningfully) and the now famous words of your dad~ "Taking the life of any human being SHOULD cost a man dearly." Lots of poor lost souls wandering about with their own Life taken away from them abruptly OR the perpetual tormented Life of the sins they have cost one's life to pay beyond where great pardon awaits them.

Voted up, billybuc! Hope your message about "LIFE" would blow the minds of many men and women around the world who still have not found the "value" for human life starting here in HubPages. Take care, great Bill!

Good evening, Billy,

How precious life is. Those who dare to take another's life for no reason are beyond my comprehension. And yet it happens far too often. So often in fact that it is often barely a footnote in the news. Even those who go off to war, as you described your Father's experience, find the horror is long lasting and deep seated and leaves another life damaged and broken, a part of them dead, as you stated.

I had a high school friend that I loved dearly, as a brother. He went to Vietnam and when he came home, I recognized his body but nothing else. The essence of him was gone. He fell into my arms like a small child and sobbed and sobbed as he spoke incoherently of his days there. I lost touch with him so I do not know how his life turned out after that. I pray he got help.

Addressing this brings it front and center, right where it needs to be. Thank you Billy. Sending Angels your way....:) ps