Six-word memoirs: Veterans share their stories of coming home

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November 5, 2010

Updated | May 27, 2011 : This segment originally aired in November 2010.

According to legend, Ernest Hemingway once bet $10 that he could write a novel in six words. “For sale: baby shoes, never worn,” he wrote. Inspired by the weight and simplicity of this story, Larry Smith, founder of the online SMITH Magazine, gave the six-word legend a personal twist, inviting readers to submit “Six-Word Memoirs.” Four years later, more than 300,000 people have.

In honor of Veterans day, Smith has teamed up with the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America to collect six-word memoirs from veterans of these two wars about the experience of coming home. We spoke to some of these veteran/memoirists and wanted to share their stories.

Do you have a six-word memoir you would like to share? If you’re a veteran yourself and have six words to describe your experiences, leave them in the comments below.

Last modified: November 5, 2010 at 7:00 pm
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Comments

  • Lee Livingston

    Having insight to repair my thoughts

  • Anonymous

    American military no more human factor

  • Carol Badoni

    V.A . SYSTEM TOTAL NIGHTMARE

  • Anonymous

    Hopefully are still able to maintain some kind of balance of normallcy

  • Anonymous

    I am not getting any justice with it either.

  • Carol

    asset when in nothing when out

  • Thumper 6

    In the Darkness, they come again.

  • lee

    with each thouht a dream begins

  • chip

    I agree , Yes we have become Professionals At waging War , It’s just a shame That we lack the skills To take care uf our vets

  • Chocklitchip

    Vietnam vet But most Still forget

  • Jtowle

    war lovers, never served, should have

  • Drwpapa

    The costs are known by us !

  • Drwpapa

    When Were You There,Last Night !

  • Drwpapa

    We will never Forget !

  • Joseph Darby

    One tour. God was not there.

  • jack

    hated there, hated here, Vietnam vet.

  • Gary

    big, strong, vietnam……now i cry

  • MTNBUM

    Ultimate sacrifices too often go unnoticed.

  • Nextinline

    Iraq then, Afghanistan Now. Korea NEXT!

  • TXVet_11b

    innocence, where did you go?

  • Tazz

    Been there, done that, going back!

  • Tazz

    Been there, done that, going back!

  • 6482

    unfit for active duty, personality disorder

  • http://www.facebook.com/jeffery.daniel Jeff Daniel

    Are we still the good guys?

  • Gdawg

    Fought for freedom, now imprisoned by thoughts

  • jess

    Come back the same person? Never!

  • Squiers

    Went To War, Couldn’t Buy Beer