Michael O 'Donnell's Letters From Pleiku'

For some a book composed almost entirely of letters written home from Vietnam may not seem like a desirable read. However, Dear America entices one from the first letter and makes the reader not want to put it down- unless they are reaching for a tissue. The tear provoking collection of letters at first seems like a window into the feelings, thoughts, and beliefs of a soldier suffering the hardships of war, but as it progresses the letters bite at the reader’s soul and makes one feel as though he/she is right there with the soldier. The book becomes more and more heartbreaking and then sends one’s emotions for a whirlwind in the section of last letters. Finally, it concludes with the most emotional letter written which is one from a mother in a world of hurt writing to her fallen son; this last letter leaves one bursting with compassion and feeling as though he/she is the parent who has lost a child to the monster that is war.
Doing what is right without thinking is often something many have issues with. However, in Charles Dawson’s letter to his deceased friend’s mother, he …show more content…
Quite frankly I believe there should have been more. Michael O'Donnell's poem “Letters from Pleiku” is a heart wrenching poem which pertains to the emotional trauma one may produce if he/she were to be killed in action. He says, “each of us is a can of tomato paste” (174) which could eventually “stain the hands of everyone who knew us.” (174). The poem really makes one think about how much he/she would hurt his/her family if something were to happen. When thinking about death one often thinks about what happens to the deceased person when he/she dies, not what happens to the family, but this poem touches everyone and makes him/her consider these things. Due to aspects like this poem, Dear America hits home for me, and may for others, because of its reference to