COLLECTION OF CLOSE CALLS - SHRAPNEL COLLECTION

My metal collection started on my third day in country, when a 120mm mortar round hit the hooch next to mine during the night. I took the tail assembly from the mortar round and placed it in my duffel bag.

My rule for collecting shrapnel was to pick up any piece that landed near me.

When I was getting “short,” I emptied my duffel bag and was surprised to see the number of shrapnel pieces I had collected. I had around five pounds of razor-sharp metal, and it would have filled an empty five-pound bag of sugar.

Five pounds of death.

Every piece ranged in size from a splinter to six inches, razor-sharp on all sides. On my last day in Nam, I threw the collection away, symbolizing my intention to put war behind me.