Semper Fi.
Enough of that self-deprecating melancholy crappola. I don't have time to be depressed. On to more important things.
My brother, you know, the good-looking one in the family, is going to Afghanistan. Next Saturday. As he is an officer in the United States Marine Corps, this isn't exactly a surprise to anyone, and as he is a supply officer and isn't likely to see combat, this isn't an overwhelming concern for anyone. Except for maybe my mother. She is still hoping he will grow out his hair, turn in his uniform and move back into the spare bedroom.
He won't be there long, but he will be there. In a way, I almost envy him.
Almost.
But it's still Afghanistan. And there are still lots of people there anxious to kill him and/or anyone else who looks like him.
So be safe, my brother. You made a choice and took an oath to serve this country. And regardless of how anyone feels about your commander in chief and the choices he has made for this country, your choice is an honorable one. I respect you for that. It's a decision I would not have had the courage to make myself.
Come back to your daughters safely. Come back to them with a new appreciation for the world and what is happening within it. Just be sure to come back.
And if you just happen to run into Osama, do me a favor and aim for his stomach.
Comments
Best of luck to your brother. It's never a pleasant thing to have to leave your family, but thank goodness we have men and women like him who are willing to make these sacrifices. Let's just hope in the future they won't have to make them needlessly.
Posted by: peter | October 14, 2004 10:34 AM
This is your first real opportunity to start an ear-necklace, Ken. Make the most of it... And try to resist the powerful urge to partake in the mystical Afghan hooker. I understand the needs and desires of a military man on assignment, but fight it with all your might. For underneath that enticing facade of dirty old sheets and body hair, there lies an ancient enemy to men of all rank and file... the smell.
Good luck over there, and don't get shot at. Hopefully you won't come back to find the ambiguously gay duo at the helm...
Posted by: SEAN | October 14, 2004 01:47 PM
i have great respect for your brother and we all owe him a thanks for putting himself in harm's way, no matter what our political leanings. I wish him a safe journey.
Posted by: bmw | October 14, 2004 08:30 PM
Many thanks and well wishes to your brother. I wear a yellow ribbon pinned to my coat these days. When I look at it now, I'll be sure to have good thoughts for him.
Posted by: Bridget | October 17, 2004 08:40 PM
Why is this how I found out about this????
Posted by: Jim's lil sister | October 18, 2004 12:07 PM