Back when comfort was a pair of panty hose.

      In these two sections of The Things They Carried, an unidentified speaker, who was obviously in the same platoon as Jimmy Cross, tells of his remembrance of the war and describes the changes since then. I found that the speaker has an extremely vivid memory of all aspects of the Vietnam War.  I found this to be expected.  Even after many years, such a terror-filled experience is destined to leave its lasting marks.  I find it interesting that the speaker was aware of Jimmy Cross' "obsession" with Martha and that even after many years and growing in maturity Jimmy Cross, himself still proclaims his love for a woman who has clearly stated that she won't love him back. The speaker attempts to take a more positive approach in his recollection, however, the descriptions of things such as the smell of an "empty body bag" still flood the memories.  I felt as if the speaker laughs at the idea of writing happy stories.  Since stories are usually influenced by experience, the prevalent experience of the war overwhelms the stories of the speaker.  I am beginning to wonder what else happened in Vietnam and whether or not all of the men mentioned earlier survived.  I found the mention of age in the platoon to be enlightening as to how truly innocent and naive some of the soldiers must have been.  I found the connection between memories stories as a method of reminding one of where they started and how they got where they are to be extremely effect in uncovering the importance of remembering.