57 Everything

I am a soldier. I was a soldier for 3 years and I will always be one. I still catch myself walking at a soldier's pace(keeping in step with people) and I like feeling like I am somehow a part of the young guys that I see every day on t.v. I like to think I developed a bit of tanacity while I was in service and that I have used that in my civilian life, ever since. Once in a while, I feel like the world is closing in and that I dont have any control, but then I remind myself that I am a soldier and that I can handle it. I can handle anything.



For those of you that have never been in service, you may appreciate the sacrifices and you may even sympathize a little with the men and women you see in uniform. Whatever the reason you took the oath and signed your name, you agreed to period of time in your life that you would be called upon to make sacrifice. You sacrifice time most of all. Time with your family back home and time with your family you may have with you there. You leave behind family and old friends and in most cases, you become part of a new family.



I made friends in the military that I still have today. One of my facebook friends, Tim, was there when we in-processed in Pittsburgh. We were stationed together throughout my tour, both basic training and AIT and 2 duty stations in Germany. We faced a call to arms that never resulted in combat and we weathered the draw-down in Europe after the war. We had a lot of good times, both in training, on post and at home and occasionally, we still see each other. Our lives took different paths, his keeping him in for several more years and mine, coming back here to raise the boys. The last time we visited Tim and his lovely wife Judy and daughter Amber, it was like we had never parted. When we met at the meps station, we exchanged a few pleasantries and then learned that we would both be going to Ft. Sill for basic. Upon arrival at the facility, we soon became fast friends. Tim is the polar opposite of me most of the time, quiet, reserved, but he does have a funny side. His manner often belies that point, though. Ha ha.



We watched with eager eyes as they stripped us(literally) of all that was civilian. They gave us clothes and gear, shaved our heads, gave us shots(air guns, ouch), lined us up and made us conform to each other and to them, and fed us(quickly and efficiently) what, I think, most prisoners probably dont have to eat. They "broke us down to build us up" and throughout the whole thing, we still found ways to joke, to comiserate. We had a lot of fun, interesting adventures and that was all in a space of a few months. We went on to AIT(advanced individual training) at Ft. Bliss Texas. We were given a few moments of freedom now and then while we were there and I learned that I REALLY missed home. I missed trees and grass, anything green. I am here to tell you that when they make you pull out a rare blade of grass because it doesnt conform to anything else around you, there is NO reason for human beings to live in such a place. I had eaten, drank, showered and lived with the other guys for several months now and I dont care how corny it sounds, I found brothers. I became closer to some of them(Tim most of all) than I had in 18 years or so with people I went to school with. Some guys dont take much away from their time in service, but I wanted to experience everything I could. No, I didnt stay in for a second term, but that is part of the equation. I had other things I wanted to try and although I never did it, I really thought that I would re-enlist in a couple years. I loved the structure and the comraderie. There are always jerks in any job, you just have to overlook them or work around them. It was worth every day I put in to meet the people that I did and be fortunate enough to have called them "friend" for a while.

With each task, each trial and tribulation you truly become "brothers". You live and perform, side by side, so close to each other, you can almost know what each other is thinking. Even if you have a personal problem with an individual, you would still give your all to help them, maybe even for them. I thank my God every day that I did not have to take a life to do my part. I am grateful that I learned and grew and I am grateful that I knew the men that I did.

We have fought wars for independence, for freedom-both ours and for others, we have fought so that others could be lifted out of oppression and we have fought to overthrow tyrants. Some of the recent events have cost the lives of our brothers and we have been made to believe it was noble. Whatever the real reasons, our soldiers have performed their duties to the letter. They have given what was needed for the task at hand. As we go about our lives today, I ask only that you put aside your politics, your preconceptions and your misgivings. Think only that your sons, daughters, fathers, brothers, sisters and mothers that have put on a uniform and sworn alliegiance to this country, are there for you and me. They will stand there post, stand their ground and put our enemies to the test as needs be. Remember the fallen on this day and realize that they have fallen so that you and I could live like we do. Is it too much to ask that we safeguard the nation from within while they protect us without? Recently, a man that should have been culled from service, committed a cowardly act in the name of his religion. His religion would never have condoned it, only fanatics and hate-mongers. We, the people, have allowed our country to nearly be ruined. The millions that have died, did not do so, so that we could allow corrupt politicians and businessmen to overrun our nation and corrupt it to their will so that they could pocket enormous riches and power. We are supposed to elect people to protect our rights and uphold the constitution, and we have failed grossly. We continue to elect people that distort and pervert aspects of our laws to subtly(and sometimes not so subtly) gain power and influence. They profit along the way.

I have nothing more to say other than - Remember the fallen, praise the living and follow your heart-it will tell you what is best. Happy Veterans Day, brothers, you are forever in my heart.