[ WP ] Write a soldier 's journal entry on his first day at war . Then write his last journal entry .

Dear Mrs. Randolph, 
 As you already have been informed that your late husband, Lt. James Randolph, was killed in action on November 10, 2024, I felt it my duty to return some personal items we have recovered that appear to belong to him. Enclosed you will find several pictures, a wooden heart, and a couple of pages from his personal journal. I regret we were unable to recover more. 
 Col. Richard Juarez 
 
 
 13-Aug-2021 
 Well first day jitters are gone and I can ’ t wait to kill me some Dooks. We shipped in late in the day so I didn ’ t get a chance to see much of the country-side but, you know, desert is fucking desert. I ’ m probably not missing much. We had to sit through a 3 hour briefing. Total bullshit. Like I need some pencil pushing desk jockey giving me tips on how to survive a combat situation. We are the fucking best, the bravest, bastards this army has every produced, just point me in the direct and I will rack up some Dook kills. We march out tomorrow. 
 
 
 3-Nov-2024 
 Three years. I can ’ t believe it ’ s been three years. It feels like a lifetime. I can ’ t remember closing my eyes and not hearing the screams or the explosions. Yesterday was brutal. We had ambushed an enemy position and they fought back heroically. After three hours of constant fire, we resorted to the phosphorus. God I hate that stuff. It burns right through them. It ’ s horrible. As we secured the area, I came across a wounded rebel. The Phoburn had melted off most of his legs and burned through his body armour. He begged me to kill him. I wanted to end it for him, but I just couldn ’ t. I couldn ’ t bring myself to pull the trigger. So many heads I have put round through. So much blood. My hands just didn ’ t have the strength to steady the weapon. He died clutching my shaking hand. The sun came up over the beautiful Northern Range, but I just didn ’ t seem to find it as comforting as I usually do. I ship out tomorrow on a Navy Cruiser but tonight I have to sit through a ceremony awarding military honours. That ’ s an oxymoron for you. 

