Vietnam war Letter.

Working for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), I read many heartbreaking stories every single day. But this particular letter from a Facebook follower had me, and the entire VVMF community, completely enthralled.

Because of the Vietnam War, Mario Ybarra, Jr. didn’t have his father guiding him through childhood adolescence. Now a grown man himself, Mario wrote the words he never heard from a father he never knew:

I hope after reading this you'll agree to share this with others.

My name is Mario Ybarra, Jr. I'm an orphan of the Vietnam War. My father, PFC Mario Ybarra, died on March 5, 1966 during Operation Utah. He was killed eight days before I turned one year of age. Sadly, I never had the chance to know him. The following is a letter that I have always imagined I would receive from him:

My dearest Son,

I’ve been wanting to write this letter for a very long time. I have so many things to say to you that I don’t know where to begin. I guess I should start from the beginning.

I have loved you since the day you were conceived. You were the one that gave me hope for a better future, a reason to fight for freedom and a reason to live. I had every intention to make sure you would grow up to be a respectable and dignified young man, but sometimes things don’t go the way we want them to. Especially when one goes to war. I’m sorry!

Son, please understand that I had to do what was best for you. What was best for our country. At the time, I know I had a choice, but the only obvious answer was to leave. To go fight in a land far, far away so that you could be safe here at home. I spent sleepless nights wondering how you were and wishing I could be there with you. Oh, how I yearned to hold you in my arms! All I could tell myself was “one day…one day I will.”

Son, as you already know, I never made it back. At least, not as the person I left as. Although you were too young to remember, I’m sorry that you had to welcome me in a wooden box. It was never my intention for you to see me this way. It was a beautiful and honorable ceremony. For this, I’m grateful.

I know life hasn’t been easy for you. I have counted the hundreds of tears that you have shed and the prayers that you have made. I have witnessed your pain. I have asked myself time and time again, Why do things have to be this way? Why Lord? Can’t you see my son needs me? Can’t you see he’s hurting?

Son, if you ever wondered how it all happened or how it must’ve felt, please know that it all happened very suddenly. I tried my best to help my fallen comrades. But my efforts failed. I couldn’t defeat the bullets. You should know that I suffered no pain whatsoever. And this is probably the way I would’ve wanted things.

Son, I want you to know that I have never left your side. When you looked up at the beautiful night sky, it was me in the form of a fallen star. When you gave the homeless man that dollar, it was me that said “thank you!” And when you had that terrible nightmare, it was me that cradled you in my arms so that you could have a more pleasant sleep.

Son, I am very proud of you. I am proud of the person you have become. I am proud to know that amidst the pain, you have been strong. Amidst the scrutiny, you have been loyal. And most importantly, amidst the turmoil, you have been faithful.

Thank you for never letting go. Thank you for never forgetting me.

Love, Dad

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