Until recently, the closest I ever got to a soldier in uniform was when the National Guard stood guard around a demonstration on my college campus. I was holding a sign--and the words on it definitely annoyed the soldier across the rope, who glared at me. The divide between us was just a few feet--but ideologically, it seemed bigger than the Grand Canyon, a chasm I thought I could never cross. Until I did.
Exactly one year ago, I stood behind another rope, holding another sign, facing another soldier. This soldier's eyes were not filled with anger but with tears, and so were mine. My sign had his name on it---and under that, the words "Welcome Home."
Since Vietnam, some things haven't changed. I'm still against war; just transferred my hostility from Nixon to Bush. Like most Americans I've learned to separate our policies from the soldiers who carry them out. And I no longer view every soldier as a nameless part of a military monolith.
So I was a different person as I stood on the runway in El Paso last December with my daughter, awaiting a planeload of soldiers returning home to Fort Bliss in time for Christmas after 15 months in Iraq.
Since Alli joined the military community, I've had a glimpse of a completely different lifestyle, as foreign to me as another planet. I can now understand the choice to serve, made by every soldier. I've learned to respect and appreciate the sacrifices made by every person in their families.
As I stood on that cold night impatiently waiting for the soldiers to come home, I can't begin to articulate the patriotism that stirred in me. I thought back through our history, from the American Revolution until Iraq--and all the soldiers who returned to the people who love them. I felt honored and privileged to stand among their ranks to witness this homecoming.
Shane is one of the lucky ones. He came home in one piece, into the waiting arms of his wife. Some soldiers had no one there to meet them. Some returned with broken bodies. Some didn't return at all.
That same scene is playing out right now on military bases around the country. And I can't forget where I was at this same time last year. I can't forget the faces so grateful to be back on American soil.
I know Obama will do everything he can to bring all the troops home as soon as possible. But meanwhile they're still over there. And more are headed back, including Shane's brigade, scheduled to deploy again this spring.
While we on the homefront are in the midst of an ailing economy, post-election euphoria and seasonal celebrating, our troops are still thousands of miles away from all of that. And they need us to remember them-- long after the Christmas decorations come down. As they serve us, we can serve them.
Don't forget those who come home broken and battered.
Don't forget those who are still overseas.
Don't forget.
Cross-posted on the Huffington Post
I recently saw "Lions for Lambs," a movie dealing with the complexities involved in our present state of war. I found it an honest and thoughtful exploration of some facets of our current situation, including that of the sacrifices people in uniform make to support even the worst decisions of our elected leaders.
Posted by: Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky | December 11, 2008 at 06:23 AM
Darryle - in one day, you went from the ridiculous to the sublime. I'm stuck in ridiculous.
Posted by: Rick Katz | December 11, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Hey Rick I had to switch gears or men like you and Mark would never come back and read my blog again after yesterday. Plus your website, The Daily Rant, shows you have a grasp of the sublime and the ridiculous too.
Mark--I agree with the message of people in uniform supporting bad decisions---but didn't like the movie as much as you did. Maybe because I find it hard watching any movie where I have to see Tom Cruise.
Posted by: Darryle | December 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
But Tom was perfect as the "used car salesperson" Senator. The casting decision seemed brilliant, especially for those of us who dislike TC (and, dare I add, are smitten with his ex).
Posted by: Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky | December 12, 2008 at 07:51 AM
Ok now I feel better about you. He was even better cast as the slimy HOllywood mogul in "Tropic Thunder". I have to admit he was great in that. Also just saw Australia, and agree on Nicole--except I'm not sure she's human, after seeing how fast her body bounced back after childbirth.
Hmm, maybe I should start doing movie reviews...
Posted by: Darryle | December 12, 2008 at 12:02 PM