Tour of Duty

In the village square they came upon a life-sized war memorial of cast iron and bronze sitting atop a concrete base. Mark stopped and studied the memorial for several minutes. The bronze monument consisted of several life-sized, clustered figures that initially had been a light bronze color but with age had become dark gray with black streaks. At the memorial's head walked a German soldier in full battle dress, followed by a woman with oxen at plow, followed by two young children. Lauren broke her silence: "It represents sacrifice and duty," she said, her voice low and reverent. "We are told this in school…it's our heritage." "Yeah, fate played a dirty trick on that generation," Mark said. "People like your father and my parents didn't ask for what they got." "Yes," she said, turning to him, touching his arm again. "You understand, don't you?" "Yes." "I mean about my father "Yes, I think so." "It's important that you understand." "And I do understand." They then settled on a bench in the small park before the war memorial and each grew quiet for a few minutes. Mark gazed distractedly at the memorial, thinking what a grave and profound heritage to have to live with. Lauren remained quiet and pensive for a brief time, but then continued with her previous conversation. "It's not something against you personally, or that he's against anyone…. It's just that to change his thinking now would make his life and sacrifices pointless." Mark again was puzzled and thought deeply about what she said. He felt he was missing something and not fully relating to what she meant. He tried to put it out of his mind, but it continued to bother him as they sat before the monument. To change would make your sacrifices pointless stuck in his mind. Reflecting on this idea and finally coming to realize its meaning not only helped him understand her father but his own parents as well. He shifted the camera strap on his shoulder. "That's the older generation," he said. “Our parents, in spite of being survivors, are still victims of the war and their sacrifices.” "I won't be able to take you there again," she said quietly, looking up into his face. Mark didn’t answer, but as they sat there, each holding the others look, he nodded his understanding. He knew what this meant, and he knew she knew he understood. Finally he said, “We should go. I need to catch the next train.” They left the park and walked arm in arm back down the cobblestone street towards the train station. Just before the depot Lauren suddenly stopped, pulling Mark around to face her. Then with a solemn face, she said: “Mark, do we know what we’re getting into?”