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Death Of A Hero

Just because someone isn’t wearing a bandage or shows no outward sign of illness doesn’t mean that they are not.
Quote by poet.


Sam lived two doors down and kept to himself, some thought him strange,
I found out he'd been in the marines and was suffering from PTSD, he always acknowledged me with a nod and a faint smile but Sam rarely spoke a word.
I felt sorry for him as he lived all alone with no one to share his problems with.
On one dark December night before Christmas I was walking home from work,
I was fifty yards from home when three thugs appeared and surrounded me,
"Your money and phone" one said, I froze on the spot and reluctantly put my hand in my pocket, then out of nowhere Sam appeared, baseball bat in hand, he swung at one of the thugs who went down with blood pouring from his nose, one of them then lunged at Sam and stabbed him repeatedly, Sam collapsed and the cowards ran off, I quickly dialled 911, “I’ve called for help" I told Sam, he looked at me smiling and said ,"Peace at last" then his eyes closed and he was gone.

Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2025

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Duke Beaufort Date: 4/30/2025 10:30:00 AM Tom, you reveal a lot of things in this story. One being the stress and horror people exposed to war and seeing unpleasant death can go through for years after witnessing it. In addition you talk about people who have courage and will put their own lives on the line for another person or cause. We owe a lot to our heroes and it's shameful if they don't get the help they need to begin to normalize. Mental anguish is quite real and can be terrifying. Thanks for the story. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 4/30/2025 12:50:00 PM Thank you very much Duke, you try and do well in life making a living for yourself and some lowlifes try and take something your hard earned cash has bought, then on the other side of the coin you have those who'll put others before themselves often taking a risk. Sadly in the case of veterans who many have witnessed some unspeakable horrors in conflicts, many are too proud to seek help, I'd read about some British soldiers who returned from Afghanistan and took their own lives unable to cope with what they'd seen. For some taking their own lives was the only way they could be at peace, thankfully care for returning service men and women has improved greatly. Tom

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 4/21/2025 7:11:00 AM Oh my Tom. Quite vivid. God bless our warriors. Congratulations! :) Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 4/21/2025 11:40:00 AM Thank you very much Linda, we should never forget the sacrifices those brave men and women do for us. Tom

Tania Kitchin Date: 4/20/2025 12:53:00 PM Tom, a powerful and tragic story. Veterans often suffer in silence and are often unappreciated these days. Congratulations on your win in the contest. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 4/20/2025 1:12:00 PM Thank you very much Tania, that's so true, often they're too proud to ask for help, many turn to drink or drugs to try and blot out the memories of things that they've witnessed. Hope you're on the mend. Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 4/20/2025 10:57:00 AM - What a sad story, Tom - (I almost lost this wonderful poem ... a hero who suffered in silence :( - Congratulations on your win in the contest :) - Hope you had a lovely Easter ... and enjoy your chocolate egg :) - hugs Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 4/20/2025 12:01:00 PM Thank you very much Anne-Lise, I'm happy you enjoyed it. Been Mr piggy where chocolate is concerned lol. I'll be good tommorow, hope you've had a lovely day. Enjoy the coming week. Tom

Paula Goldsmith Date: 4/20/2025 10:41:00 AM Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful yet sad "Death Of A Hero" write. Great quote and picture. Happy/Blessed Easter Day...... Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 4/20/2025 11:59:00 AM Thank you very much Paula, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope youve had a lovely Easter day. Enjoy your week ahead. Tom

Joe Maverick Date: 4/19/2025 11:41:00 AM I have a friend who when stuck for accomodation had to live with a retired S a s captain who did 20 yrs service i joked Has he spent 30 years trying to forget? The Answer was 'exactly right' well done Tom.' Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 4/19/2025 12:36:00 PM Thank you very much Joe, the scenes they must witness are the stuff of nightmares, you have to have nerves of steel to cope with those images in your head. Happy Easter to you. Tom

Jerry Brotherton Date: 4/19/2025 8:33:00 AM Tom, what a powerful story. Unfortunately, so many of the world's heroes are abandoned. America's streets are filled with such horror stories. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 4/19/2025 10:20:00 AM Thank you very much Jerry, sadly it's the same here, not enough support is given, I've read many took their own lives, unable to cope with the horrors they witnessed. Tom

Ink Empress Date: 4/19/2025 5:26:00 AM Gosh! My heart, hurts, reading this haunting tale! So seamlessly delivered! You are such a brilliant storyteller dear tom, sam saying that as his last words is so sad, makes me feel how much he must have endured emotional pain, which many often that have fought in marines etc do have , ptsd, sad, youv as always left me speechless! You are a natural with these! Very powerful free verse! Best wishes. Sending you light always! Pleasure visiting your page today! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 4/19/2025 6:14:00 AM Thank you very much IE, had plenty of practice when my three daughters were growing up, bedtime stories. Many soldiers experience unimaginable horrors, to see those images all the time must be so hard to cope with, I know I'd struggle. For some death is a relief from it. Have a lovely weekend Tom

Lin Lane Date: 4/19/2025 4:34:00 AM oh, Tom. That was an unexpected goosebump ending! I cannot imagine being totally rational again after seeing what some of those soldiers witnessed in war. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 4/19/2025 5:08:00 AM Thank you very much Lin, I don't think I'd ever get over it seeing the horrors of War, When many returned from the gulf War they couldn't cope and thought it unmanly to seek help, sadly many took their own lives. Tom