Note: This commentary is by Dennis F. Rogers, who wrote it after reading a Boston Globe article at this link. If that doesn’t work, try this one.
Philip, Alma, and Anthony Pasquale.
Sixty years later, war still makes an impact. You wonder about the guys over in Iraq now. The guys from Vietnam paved the way for public problems — they were always there but previous generations kept it hidden.
Even back to the Civil War — many veterans were never the same. But this is interesting, as it is triplets — two of whom served in WW II — one with no problems at all and the other still haunted to this day. The troubled brother was never in ground combat, he was on a Navy command ship for the amphibious assaults.
However, the ship received many of the wounded and dead from Iwo Jima — and was off Okinawa — with the non-stop kamikaze assaults, the mental wear-and-tear must have been tremendous. Two of the worst and deadliest battles in WW II — and of course the reasons why the atom bomb was deemed necessary. “If it’s this bad just invading two islands, how much worse will it get invading their actual homeland?”
– Dennis Rogers
What an incredible story. I’d also love to hear Dennis’s brother’s story, if he’s willing, and when he’s ready. Is is tour of duty over, or will they call him back?
Anyway, the story of the three triplets (the sister is a knockout) is beautifully written and heartbreaking. It is a tribute to the closeness of family. It reminds me of my old friend Mickey Barry’s family (he was/is the only heterosexual male skater I ever met!) from Malden. He went to Vietnam and it messed him up big-time. To this day, he has never married and has several nervous breakdowns that he will not discuss. He cannot form lasting commitments to anybody, but is a loyal friend and dearly loves his family. His father is a survivor of Pearl Harbor.
In another vein, I recently sat down with the new principal of Molly’s Catholic School, sweet, tiny little Sister Marie Luu. My assignment is to write articles about all the new teachers and staff for the school newsletter, published biannually. She is probably one of the sweetest, kindest, most serene women I have ever met. However, before I even sat down, she looked me straight in the eye and said in a cold voice, “You can ask me anything EXCEPT ABOUT MY LIFE IN VIETNAM. That is CLOSED FOR DISCUSSION.” I have no idea when she came over, but she is in her early 40s, so that is very telling. One can only imagine the horrors she saw.
I pray that the Philip in the article regains some of his happiness back. There are some behavioral therapy techniques that help people learn to live in the present, and bury the past for good. God bless him and his wonderful sibs. I, too, am blessed with wonderful siblings, so I know how lucky he is.
FYI: Dennis has a brother who recently returned from a year of service in Iraq.