Former Military Chaplain Assistant Says, ‘Pen Not Always Mightier Than the Sword’

As Memorial Day approaches, Vietnam veteran remembers sad task writing death notices to families of fallen soldiers

The South Dakota Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team transfers the remains of Sgt. 1st Class Arthur F. Jewett at Rapid City Regional Airport, S.D., Sept. 22, 2009. Sgt. Lance Alan Schroeder/US Army Photo

There were things U.S. Army chaplain assistant Arnold Swift wished he could have said to John’s widow as he typed the man’s death notice in Vietnam more than half a century ago.

Personal things, like how much John loved his wife and children and was a good man who felt deeply and drank himself to death over an incident that likely wasn’t his fault.