Coming home Quote by Kirby Larson
““I came here thinking I was going to win this war and come on home in no time at all. Now I think I'll never leave this mud and cold and misery. I know you expect your old pal to be full of humor, but my best buddy died this morning. I was not twenty yards from him. In all the training, they never told us about the smell of death. For the first time, I was not so confident of coming home. Not so confident of anything. I always bragged about killing some Germans. Killing is nothing to brag about. Nothing at all.””
About This Quote
War erodes optimism, exposing brutal reality and deep personal loss that shatters confidence.
In simple terms: War destroys hope and confidence.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge trauma.
Themes
war
disillusionment
loss
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
testimonial
cautionary
When to use this quote
- combat
- returning home
- mental health counseling
- memorial services
Key Concepts
mortality
psychological impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies better support returning soldiers?
- What coping mechanisms help with loss?
A Different Perspective
Survivors may find it hard to speak about trauma.
