In the title story, soldiers carry things both tangible and intangible. Which do you think were heavier? Which items spoke most powerfully to you? Did any surprise you? If you had to go to war, what might you take with you?

In the title story, soldiers carry things both tangible and intangible. Which do you think were heavier? Which items spoke most powerfully to you? Did any surprise you? What do you think specific items might reveal about the individuals carrying them and the experience of going to war? What do you carry around with you every day, materially and emotionally? If you had to go to war, what might you take with you?

Heavier than the tangible things were the emotional things they carried, such as letters and photographs of loved ones that they read and looked at and kissed because they missed them so much. I can't really imagine what I would take with me if I had to go to war; the idea is simply beyond my ken. I don't carry around with me every day anything as emotionally important as the soldiers carried, nor as materially important either.

The panty hose around the neck stood out. As did the photo of Maria. It seems as if the soldiers hung on to these things as a grounding, a bit of security and hope in a desolate situation.

The intangible emotions had the greatest impact on me; sometimes those emotions are inspired by tangible items. Even now, if I look at a saved card or letter from one of my parents or grandparents, the handwritten makes my throat constrict as I think about young and full of life they were at the time. I also can't help but think about all f the wars where young soldiers thought they were helping to end future wars and how lives on both sides of the war often have been in vain.

I am sure the memories and items they brought with them were much heavier. I cannot imagine even going to war much less even everything behind. As for what I would bring, I do not know. What I would bring now is probably different than what I would have brought if I was twenty. I know I would bring writing supplies and writing home every day, whether the letters not mailed or not. Pictures would have been necessary. I am a great reader, so I would have to have something to read.

The intangible items are definitely heavier than the tangible ones. At least at some point, the soldiers can lay the tangible items down. Their internal burdens are always with them.

Regardless of our location, its the intangible that are most heavy. Journal, pens and writing materials would be my possessions. Nights seemed to be the most difficult time for the soldiers with these intangible things they carried.

It was interesting to read about the equipment, etc. that they carried, but the intangible were what got them through each day. The objects such as pictures, books, Bibles, jewelry, etc. were the reminders of home and their goal to return there.