Dear World,
Hawkeye Pierce here. Surgeon, healer, drunkard. I'm writing this from hell, otherwise known as Korea.
Many people envision Korea as an exotic, mysterious land. A land filled with Oriental charms. For thousands of years, this was actually true. The Korean people were very wise in choosing isolation. For an untold number of years, this place was undisturbed and peaceful. It deserved its nickname, "Land of the Morning Calm." Now, that calm has completely shattered.
I've heard that, many years ago, a visitor compared the landscape of Korea to a sea being battered by a gale. I don't know if it was true back then. In any case, it is now. The fields and meadows are now pockmarked with bomb and landmine craters. Villages that may have existed for who knows how long have been bombed into oblivion. Countless numbers of men, women, and children have suffered just because they were on the wrong side.
Let me tell you something, World. In war, there is no right or wrong. Morality has taken blow after blow from humankind's petty differences. It's so weak now that I don't think it'll survive much longer.
I know what you're thinking, World. You're thinking, "Hey, what does this guy know? He's just a draftee doctor who doesn't know any better!" That is where you are wrong. I do know better. Apparently, I know better than thousands of years of so-called "civilization".
Hasn't anyone noticed that wars have steadily been getting longer, more drawn out? I hope I'm not the only one. I mean, take a look at World War I. The "war to end all wars" was just a tiny skirmish compared to World War II. The cause of these wars? The answer is pure and simple. Stupidity.
Stupidity, intolerance, jealousy . . . the list goes on. Yet, nobody has learned a damn thing from these conflicts.
War isn't hell. It's worse. Far worse. And I pray to God that somebody out there in the world reads this letter and comes to their senses. One speck of common sense can make all the difference.
Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce, MD
Hawkeye Pierce here. Surgeon, healer, drunkard. I'm writing this from hell, otherwise known as Korea.
Many people envision Korea as an exotic, mysterious land. A land filled with Oriental charms. For thousands of years, this was actually true. The Korean people were very wise in choosing isolation. For an untold number of years, this place was undisturbed and peaceful. It deserved its nickname, "Land of the Morning Calm." Now, that calm has completely shattered.
I've heard that, many years ago, a visitor compared the landscape of Korea to a sea being battered by a gale. I don't know if it was true back then. In any case, it is now. The fields and meadows are now pockmarked with bomb and landmine craters. Villages that may have existed for who knows how long have been bombed into oblivion. Countless numbers of men, women, and children have suffered just because they were on the wrong side.
Let me tell you something, World. In war, there is no right or wrong. Morality has taken blow after blow from humankind's petty differences. It's so weak now that I don't think it'll survive much longer.
I know what you're thinking, World. You're thinking, "Hey, what does this guy know? He's just a draftee doctor who doesn't know any better!" That is where you are wrong. I do know better. Apparently, I know better than thousands of years of so-called "civilization".
Hasn't anyone noticed that wars have steadily been getting longer, more drawn out? I hope I'm not the only one. I mean, take a look at World War I. The "war to end all wars" was just a tiny skirmish compared to World War II. The cause of these wars? The answer is pure and simple. Stupidity.
Stupidity, intolerance, jealousy . . . the list goes on. Yet, nobody has learned a damn thing from these conflicts.
War isn't hell. It's worse. Far worse. And I pray to God that somebody out there in the world reads this letter and comes to their senses. One speck of common sense can make all the difference.
Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce, MD
