Iraq

It's something I never talk about. I usually don't think much about it. Sure, I have friends who have joined the military and gone away, so far that I don't talk to them anymore. I even dated a guy once, for a very short time, before he went to Afghanistan. It's incredible to me that something like going away to the Middle East is nothing but a fleeting thought to most Americans. It always has been to me. War happens, lots of guys and gals gear up and head out to fight...some come back, some don't. It's a fact of life, part of our history. It's almost like everyone in this world takes war for granted.

I watched a movie tonight, "In the Valley of Elah," with Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron. If you haven't seen it, I suggest you pick it up. I have seen war movies before, but this one really hit home. To me, it was the closest to real that I've ever seen. We've all heard stories, gotten those email forwards with photos of our men and women overseas, either having fun or struggling to survive. I always delete them. Sometimes I look at the photos, then I roll my eyes and complain that another god-loving Christian has passed a stupid military email along. But now I realize that the military touches most of our lives and it really is important to "support our troops" no matter where they are. No, you don't have to support the administration that might be sending them out, but I think we should whole-heartedly support and recognize the men and women who voluntarily participate in the military and are willing to go overseas to fight for the things most of us take for granted. A long life, freedom of speech, a full bank account, the internet, a walk in the park, new shoes, equal rights...America's not perfect, far from it, but I'm sure glad we've got what we've got.

I don't believe in god, but I do believe in people. I have friends who have been overseas and some who are there now. I realize that I have never given enough notice or thought about them and their daily lives. Some people pray. I just think, reflect. I wonder what life is like over there...and then I go on and finish my sandwich or book my next flight so I can go on vacation and "get away from it all". Not everybody gets a vacation....

Paul got married to Julie and they both moved to Germany so he could be in the Army. I haven't talked to them since their wedding a few years ago. Jeff went to Afghanistan, came home and is now in Iraq. We just got in touch today for the first time in two years. Eddie joined the Air Force in South Carolina, but I haven't seen him since 2003. Kevin's little brother went away, then came back, got married, had a baby and lives in California. Both of my grandfathers were in the military. My aunt served. I have a cousin who died in the Israeli military.

It's a bigger part of my life than I imagined, yet it never occurred to me that I was close enough for it to matter. I still don't know how I feel about "the war in Iraq" or if there is even a war being fought. I'm missing so many details that I don't think I'll ever really know what's going on. All I know is that because of "In the Valley of Elah," I will now take a few more moments each time I reflect upon my loved ones who are in the military now or who have served in the past.

And one more thing - I still have the American flag that belonged to my grandfather, my mom's dad. I don't know if it was given to him upon discharge or if he used to fly it at his house. I was too young to even notice. Since 9/11 Americans have become obsessed with the American flag. I've cringed seeing the flag stickers on people's cars or flags flying outside people's homes. But I really am glad to be here and I'm going to see about getting that rip stitched in my grandfather's flag. Someday I'll thank myself.