The Letter A Soldier Wrote To Van From Vietnam Saying Astral Weeks Was His Escape

April 1, 2025

In the cool shadows of a makeshift tent, Sergeant Mike Miller sat cross-legged on the ground, pen trembling slightly in his hand. The sounds of distant gunfire echoed in the background as he focused on the flickering candle beside him. The air was thick with humidity, but it was the heat of war that weighed down on his spirit. He turned the letter he had been writing over and over in his mind into something tangible. It was a message to his friend Van, back home, a message that he hoped would carry the warmth of his heart even from thousands of miles away.

“Dear Van,” he began, the words flowing from him like a heartfelt song. He wrote about the days spent in the jungles of Vietnam, the creeping anxiety, and the loneliness of being so far from home. Yet, woven throughout his letter was the magic of music, particularly an album that had become his lifeline: “Astral Weeks” by Van Morrison. It was strange, he thought, how the melodies could reach out across the ocean, wrapping him in a comfort that made the chaos of war feel just a little bit lighter. The haunting voice of Morrison was like a gentle breeze on a hot day, reminding him of green pastures and laughter shared with friends.

“In the midst of all this…” Mike continued, “your music keeps me alive.” He described how he would listen to “Sweet Thing” on his tiny radio, closing his eyes and transporting himself to a world of peace and love. The images painted by Morrison’s lyrics filled his mind with visions of home—the smell of fresh grass, the sound of children playing, and the warmth of his mother’s embrace. The songs spoke of hope and beauty, a stark contrast to the realities surrounding him. In those moments of solitude, he felt as if he were walking through the streets of Belfast or roaming the hills of Ireland, far away from the gunfire and confusion.

As he signed off the letter with a simple “Take care, my friend,” Mike felt a surge of strength within him. Music had the power to heal, to bring people together across battle lines. He remembered reading that “Astral Weeks” had been a turning point in Van Morrison’s career, a moment when he poured his heart into each note after feeling lost himself. The album transformed his life, leading him toward a legacy that would inspire countless others. Mike couldn’t help but draw a parallel; if Morrison could rise from darkness and find his voice, perhaps he too could find a spark of resilience in this war-torn land.

Days turned into months, but that letter never left his mind and neither did the power of music. Each time they played the haunting tunes, Mike felt a little more alive, holding tight to the hope that one day he would return to his friend and to the life he cherished. Eventually, the war ended, and he did come home, his heart filled with stories and the power of music woven into his very being. He often shared that letter with friends, delivering a message that echoed Morrison’s spirit: though life can be filled with struggles, it is the love of art and music that can help one rise above, finding beauty even in the darkest times.

Years later, as he played guitar and sang with others around a campfire, Mike glanced at the stars twinkling above him and felt that same familiar warmth wash over him. “Astral Weeks” had not only saved him in the dead of war; it had shaped him into a storyteller, an artist in his own right. With every strum of his guitar, Mike didn’t just honor the music that lifted him from despair; he celebrated the bond of friendship, resilience, and the transformative power of art that reminds us all to dream and to hold fast to hope, no matter where we are.