Brian finally connected with us last week. If you can believe it, it’s gotten hotter- over 130 degrees each day. And they still don’t have an air conditioner to give them a break from the heat. The guys have worked out arrangements to steal some “cool air time” from some of the other units- but it’s not the same. As much respect as I have for our marines and military- this is inexcusable to me. But, the guys are trying to make do with what they have and trying their best to keep their attitudes up. We’re trying to do the same- but it still pisses us off.
We’re still on hold for sending packages and that will most likely not change. So, I’ve taken to increasing my prayers and sending some inspirational and motivational quotes periodically. Feel free to do the same- the guys can use them. I can’t wait to meet them when we welcome Brian home. Brian has already told us that we can meet the guys in his squad on the parade deck when they arrive- and then he doesn’t want to see them for a “long time.” You can imagine what it would be like to live together for 7 months in tight quarters, 130+ degrees, no air, limited food supply, and in a high-stress environment. We can certainly understand.
And, while Lu and I are holding our own we have our moments. Our tolerance for the opinions of the uninformed has grown quite short when it relates to Afghanistan. The election rhetoric has already become nauseating and we know it’s going to get worse. When I wrote my story earlier in the year I had hoped our country would be going down a different path by now. I had hoped that both sides (Republican and Democrat) could pull their heads out of their asses for a little while and work together to solve the many challenges we face as a country. I had hoped both sides would recognize they don’t have a monopoly on the right answers. I had hoped we would recognize that Afghanistan is not Defense Department budget item only tied to the now infamous July, 2011 "exit date" but is fundamental to protecting our own freedoms and preventing an event in the future that will be worse than 9-11. General McChrystal helped bring Afghanistan back to the front page for awhile through his Rolling Stone adventure, but in the other areas we still have a long ways to go.
So, when Michelle Bachmann (our own Minnesota Congresswoman) is recently quoted saying we are becoming a “nation of slaves” just to raise the already high emotional pitch of the country- I am offended. Regardless of how our current dysfunctional and polarized political process is characterized I would ask our politicians to remember the guys and gals who are risking their lives each and every day; and the men, women, and families who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms before trying to score political points by throwing out quotable quotes. These people know what patriotism, freedom, and sacrifice is all about. Talking points are cheap. Cheap talking points from politicians are worthless.
This isn’t about who is right and who is wrong any more. It’s about getting our sons and daughters home after completing the mission we have asked them to do. This is the time for both sides to quit taking political cheap-shots and start working together to do what’s right for the country while protecting the foundation laid out in the Constitution for its citizens. And I repeat, in my opinion neither side has a monopoly on being right.
We owe it to those serving our country who know what America really stands for and know what real sacrifice is all about.
What It's All About Anyway
Brodie and Ethan on
The Fourth of July
(With Megan and Michelle)
A Picture Ethan
Will Likely Want To
Destroy When Older
(Fourth of July)
Semper Fi
No comments:
Post a Comment