Afghan war veteran from Etobicoke turns to literature

by **Spider** Wed 10 Jul 2019, 8:09 am

James Barrera's text is featured in 'Chicken Soup for the Soul: Running for Good'

BY VERONICA APPIA - July 10, 2019

Afghan war veteran from Etobicoke turns to literature 3hET%20jamesbarrera%200705_Super_Portrait

Etobicoke resident James Barrera writes about his past experiences as a soldier in Afghanistan. His latest short story was published last month. - Veronica Appia/Torstar

Before his first major battle in Kandahar, Afghanistan, James Barrera suited up next to his friend.

Once they were ready, Barrera patted him on the back.

“Stay safe out there,” they told each other.

The next time Barrera saw that friend, he was being carried to the helicopter in a stretcher.

As the trauma blanket that was covering his body shifted in the wind, Barrera saw what was underneath.

“A pile of humanity,” he described in his latest work.

Missing two legs from above the knee, his friend would never walk again.

That was the reality of the war in Afghanistan.

Barrera was a soldier in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1997 to 2014 and was deployed to Kandahar twice in that time period.

His role, during his six- to seven-month intervals there, was to speak with family members who lived in the local villages. While most days were relatively uneventful, Barrera said there are some moments that will remain etched in his brain forever.

One of those memories is what happened to his friend that day.

Barrera said while he doesn’t recall a reason as to why he joined the military all those years ago, he’s proud of the person he has become as a result.

“I did everything myself and every decision I made was mine, so I’m proud of that — some were bad decisions, but you can’t regret them,” he said.

Since he’s been home, Barrera, who lives in Etobicoke, has been documenting his experiences in Kandahar, submitting short stories to different publications and working on a long form book.

Barrera is James’ pen name – used as a means of protecting the fellow soldiers mentioned in his works.

His latest work, "For Kenny," is a passage in a recently published Chicken Soup for the Soul book called Running For Good. In it, Barrera tells that story of his first major battle in Kandahar, juxtaposing it with his experience at a marathon he participated in a year later, in honour of his wounded friend and comrade.

When Barrera sits down to write, he writes not for his family members or friends here today, but for those who will be around in the future.

He said he has spoken to many families of Second World War veterans who were unable to recount basic facts about their family members' roles in the war.

“It’s sad,” he said. “That’s why I started writing stuff down.”

When it comes to his larger book, Barrera said he doesn’t know if he’ll ever finish it, but he knows either way he has documented history.

“Even if it doesn’t get out or get done, something will be there and that’s the point,” he said. “Canada fought a war very recently, and, what are we, five years away from it now and people have already forgotten. And that can’t happen. I won’t allow it.”

Afghan war veteran from Etobicoke turns to literature Veronica

Afghan war veteran from Etobicoke turns to literature Veronica

by Veronica Appia
Email: vappia@metroland.com

https://www.toronto.com/news-story/9490151-afghan-war-veteran-from-etobicoke-turns-to-literature/