The Ones They Leave Behind

I think often about the men and women that are serving this country in the Godforsaken hell holes of Iraq and Afghanistan. Our soldiers and marines our airmen and women and our naval personnel in the sweltering deserts by day and freezing nights or in the mountains along rocky trails with steep drop offs. Around every corner lurks a potential life ending situation. I can only assume that training helps these brave men and women deal with these types of situations. Going from boredom to monotony to terror possibly on a daily basis takes a special kind of person but that is obvious since we have an all volunteer military. Do not forget that all give some and some give all please visit some of the military blogs to the right and see what you can do for them it is just a suggestion but one that will be appreciated by them.

Now what of the people they have left here in the States. How do they cope not knowing where a loved one is or how they are doing or if they are danger? How do they cope when they look around the house and a memory comes back to the their mind and the distance in between seems to have grown. How do they explain terrorism to their children when explaining why a parent or parents have to deploy? Yes I understand that friends can alleviate some of the anxiety that these situation bring about but what about when they are alone with nothing but the thoughts and memories of a loved one in harms way. What in the world keeps these people from going insane knowing they have no control over what is happening to them. Do they ever think about the "if"? As in if they will ever see their loved ones again? A harsh question yes, but one I want you people to think about it not just as you read this but also as you go about the things you do in your everyday lives. If a tragic twist of fate should befall these people and a loved one does not return safely where do they get the strength to carry on?

Why this post you ask? Two reasons: First I saw an episode of Armywives (Shut-up John McCain watches it), which led me to the second reason of wondering what my sister went through when my brother-in-law was deployed (US Navy before the war). Granted there was no one directly shooting at him there was always a possibility of him not returning home. It was dangerous work (but I'll never tell him that). We have always been a pro-military family but when one of your own is in you feel for everyone else who is in the circle.

Long story short. If you see someone in uniform driving honk, wave and say thank you same goes for a blue star or a Vet bumper sticker. If you are in a coffee shop buy them a cup of coffee or in a restaurant pay their check and offer thanks to them. If you are walking in your neighborhood and you see a blue star flag maybe you could remember the address and mail a note of thanks and gratefulness. Military personnel and military families NEED to know that Our America is grateful for the sacrifices they make and we appreciate and the hardships they endure for us. Show them the love let the left hate them.