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Hate The War, Love The Soldier
My brother Michael spent the past three days with us. I am always sad when I am parted from someone in my family. I felt a deep ache while I watched my brother smile, give a wave of his hand and drive away.
Michael is heading to a military base in Texas. He has finished specialized linguistic training in California, where he graduated with honors. After a few months in Texas he will be stationed in Kentucky before being sent to Iraq. Again.
I am angry that he is being redeployed and afraid - afraid of things that are better left unsaid, not written nor thought. I generally keep my political views to myself, but I have never supported this war. It is so difficult to think of him being sent back to Iraq, being put at such risk.
My brother didn't join the Army out of a great sense of patriotism, but out of a desire to provide a better life for his family and a better education for himself. Michael is so bright and logical. To me, he seems better suited to a life as a nutty professor or a computer geek than a gun toting soldier. I look at this picture taken in Kuwait in 2004 and it is hard for me to reconcile the soldier with my tall, gangly baby brother.
Here is a photo of my brother and two of his three daughters taken last Christmas. I may hate the war but I love the soldier.
Posted by heather at November 13, 2007 6:16 PM
Comments
I feel for you- I felt the same way when my husband was sent over three years ago. It was hard balancing the conflicting emotions- but your support of him is the best thing he could have right now. We'll keep him in our thoughts!
Posted by: B at November 13, 2007 7:49 PM
*sigh* So much to say but won't at the risk of starting a Flame War in this blog.
I just want to make note of the irony of seeing three Google ads in the margin...
1. The Secret Oil War
2. High-paying Jobs in Iraq, and
3. High Risk Training in Dangerous Places; Iraq-Afghanistan
We hope for your brother's safe return.
Posted by: Ruskinrules at November 19, 2007 3:50 PM
brought tears to my eyes...such a waste(in many ways)this war!
bless your brother,your family and all the others!
Posted by: beth at December 3, 2007 11:29 AM
The thought of my brother going to war, scares me more than I care to say.
Blessings to you and your family!
Posted by: Jessica at December 11, 2007 7:12 AM
I think the soldiers should come home for christmas. They deserve their familys and homes. Let them come home until Jan. 4, 2008. I really appreiciate your concern and taking your time to read this.
Luv,
Dani Luke
Posted by: Danielle Luke at December 11, 2007 9:43 AM