Does Anyone Care About This War?

I really thought someone might respond to my blog, but it seems that most Americans disapprove of the war, but few have much to say about it. It appears that it is something that is happening over there, not here. I just read a good article in a news magazine that is designed for teenagers, (one that my students read in my English class) , and it stated that most soldiers feel that Americans don't have to sacrifice much for the war in Iraq, other than an inconvenience of an early arrival at an airport with post 9/11 security measures. Other than families of soldiers deployed, few seem to think about it much.
My son came home alive, and my heart goes out to the families of those that did not. I just saw a news clip of the president , and he appears much older, three years of this has aged him rightfully so,as it aged the parents of those who served, and is aging the parents of those currently deployed, and those who wait for their sons and daughters who wil soon leave for iraq.

Coming home from Iraq

Last week I was in Colorado Springs seeing my son who just returned from Iraq. He returned home
to an unceremonious greeting from his wife, who apparently found someone else while he was away. I know life isn't fair and all that. I think we all sort of get that . All I can say is that it was great seeing him, quite aware that every time I looked at him, I found myself feeling lucky, lucky that I could talk to him, hug him, and thinking of the more than two thousand parents that
are not able to do that. I use the word LUCK because I feel that a soldier returning home now, unfortunately, is a matter of good fortune . Of course, I will give credit to good battle front tactics, excellent leadership, and all that goes with that, or perhaps having a job with the military that does not involve much mobility, since it seems that the mobility is what is getting our soldiers and those of our allies killed. I recall him calling me from the airport in Iraq, just before he boarded to return to the states, he said that he worried about getting hit on the way to the airport. I asked him how he managed that, riding in a Bradley, dealing with that fear, and he said, " I just said a prayer every time we went out." Hats off to those Coloradans who stopped my son and thanked him for being over there, or asked him what he thought of the war. Particular thanks to the United Airlines clerk who thanked him, and took our picture.
I never got her name. Even if you think the war is unjust, the right thing, or you have forgotten
that we are even there, it was nice to see him acknowledged. It was funny my son told me that the mayor of the city that they were stationed at in Northern Iraq, liked them so well(3rd ACR),
that he was going to write President Bush every day to see that they return. I am sure that most
the soldiers who left never wish to return, but it was nice to know that some of the Iraqi people
appreciated the soldiers that much. With all the bad press the military has received, (and certainly , incidents where it was deserved), it is easy to ignore the professionalism of those that are doing their job well.