Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2009

Memorial Day is normally for remembering the fallen servicemen and women who have sacrificed for this great nation we call America. However, this time I would like to remember and recognize the men and women who are in the service today, the young men and women who VOLENTEER to come to Iraq and Afghanistan, and risk their lives for the Americans at home. Sand storms, oppressive heat (its been in the 100’s this week), all insects bite and are generally poisonous, snake and spiders, scorpions and other nasty things crawl into sleeping quarters, patrols at night through dangerous neighborhoods and getting shot at or blown up are just some of the hardships these young people have to deal with. I have the advantage of working for a contractor here in Iraq and can spend time with these kids, (most of them are in there early 20’s) and get to know them. All walks of life, country boys to city boys, many married, some with children of their own, all have families at home. Their rooms are barren at first, but soon walls are soon covered in family photos, births and sonograms, wives and girlfriends, moms and dads. Some have pin up girls others don’t really have anything except a simple photograph by their bed. Dust covers everything constantly, wind blows it into the tiniest cracks, and the sweat from the days work turns the dust into mud on their hairless faces. These great young people have witnessed the world in ways you and I would never dream of; the nightly news doesn’t even come close to the atrocities witnessed on the patrols and missions throughout the country. Danger from unknown road side bombs, suicide bombers, snipers and Taliban forces are the “normal” day. You can see the stress of being here when you look into the eyes of a combat soldier, only those who know can recognize it. I personally have not been mortared or shot at, thanks to the Marines here, but I know the stress of being here and share in it. This Memorial Day is special in that I get to be here where history is made and being a part of it will always remain in my memories and these men and women I meet will always have a place in my heart. So this Memorial Day, thank a Veteran for the freedoms that you have and for the lives they have sacrificed for you and me.