Letters home from troops: love, loss, reflection.

War Comes Home: The Legacy. A collection of letters written by veterans and their families.
War Comes Home: The Legacy. A collection of letters written by veterans and their families.

A poignant exhibit is now on public display at San Diego’s downtown Central Library. It’s titled War Comes Home: The Legacy. Through a number of emotionally charged letters to and from troops abroad, one can begin to feel how war changes lives. Included is personal correspondence, including email, from almost every major conflict in United States history. This exhibition is put on in partnership with Cal Humanities, and its stated purpose is to promote greater understanding of our veterans and explore the impact of war on communities.

The exhibit can be found on the first floor of the library and will run through August 16.

I'm coming home! I'm looking forward to seeing you again...but I'm in no hurry to see the expressions on your faces when you see me. You might even ask me for proof that I'm your son.
I’m coming home! I’m looking forward to seeing you again…but I’m in no hurry to see the expressions on your faces when you see me. You might even ask me for proof that I’m your son.
U.S. wars are mostly fought abroad, allowing many Americans distance from the personal implications. The war experience, however, remains with veterans for the rest of their lives.
U.S. wars are mostly fought abroad, allowing many Americans distance from the personal implications. The war experience, however, remains with veterans for the rest of their lives.
Now that it is all over, what is there to look back upon? The fifteen months in France have been like a book with strange chapters...
Now that it is all over, what is there to look back upon? The fifteen months in France have been like a book with strange chapters…
Although most people think that they are War Conscious, are they really? So far removed from the battle fronts, can they be?
Although most people think that they are War Conscious, are they really? So far removed from the battle fronts, can they be?
Those of us coming back from Iraq or Afghanistan are not looking for sympathy. We might be reluctant at first to talk about what we've been through, good or bad...
Those of us coming back from Iraq or Afghanistan are not looking for sympathy. We might be reluctant at first to talk about what we’ve been through, good or bad…
You cannot imagine, I believe, what thoughts came over me as I thought of all those who stood there on that day--and what it was all for, and what would come of it...
You cannot imagine, I believe, what thoughts came over me as I thought of all those who stood there on that day–and what it was all for, and what would come of it…
Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I never know that love could hurt so much.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. I never know that love could hurt so much.
Enduring Loss: The Costs of War.
Enduring Loss: The Costs of War.
The things that I am going to say in this letter are about twenty years and a whole lifetime late, but maybe that won't matter once they've been said.
The things that I am going to say in this letter are about twenty years and a whole lifetime late, but maybe that won’t matter once they’ve been said.
Coming home to normal life from a war zone can be a jarring experience for many troops.
Coming home to “normal” life from a war zone can be a jarring experience for many troops.
Ultimately, your loved one should start to feel normal after about five to six months--just in time to be deployed again.
Ultimately, your loved one should start to feel “normal” after about five to six months–just in time to be deployed again.
Let me be the first to tell you that we have a rough road ahead of us, kiddo. The life of a soldier isn't an easy one.
Let me be the first to tell you that we have a rough road ahead of us, kiddo. The life of a soldier isn’t an easy one.
My son: you are missed in our home. There is a silence and a sadness because of your absence.
My son: you are missed in our home. There is a silence and a sadness because of your absence.
Hearing grown men speak with wavering voices, some shedding tears, was more than I could bear.
Hearing grown men speak with wavering voices, some shedding tears, was more than I could bear.
You ask if the boys have changed much. Some, having had experience enough for a lifetime, are older...and yet, they have a greater zest for life...
You ask if the boys have changed much. Some, having had experience enough for a lifetime, are older…and yet, they have a greater zest for life…
Sketch of servicemember in military hospital with amputated leg, reading or writing a letter.
Sketch of servicemember in military hospital with amputated leg, reading or writing a letter.

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Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

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