During the few months Troy had been back home, hed told his friends about us, and so we quickly eased into the conversation as though wed all known each other for many years. They embarrassed us with great thanks for having served overseas. They recounted combat events Troy had told them, and we realized by the context of their stories that Troy had made us heroes for his friends because wed been heroes to him. At this point I was the saddest Id yet been over Troys passing, because the true friend from war is the friend who obliterates his own story by telling the stories of others.

About This Quote

Themes

  • War — Reflections on conflict, peace, and the human cost of war

More quotes by Anthony Swofford, Jarhead : A Marine's Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles

Related Quotes