Soccer Dad

What's become of it - military monday 7

In previous editions of Military Monday I have featured soldiers who have sacrificed their lives. I have featured others who have sacrificed their health.

But even those who don't make those tangible sacrifices still sacrifice something that they will never get back - time. That's time for their loved ones. Time for their children. Time for their own ambitions.

A soldier in the army must sacrifice his or her own time - hours, days, months and even years - to the mission of the army.

I was reminded of this when I recently saw an item about a blogger I had followed in the past at the Muqata. When I last followed the Patriette she was preparing for her wedding.

Now, not only is she married, but she is now a mother too. Yesterday was their anniversary. The Patriette writes:

Today is our first wedding anniversary. It was one year ago today that Josh and I were married. It's been a crazy year. We went from our wedding in July to our honeymoon in August to coming home then saying goodbye in September as Josh left Minnesota to join his National Guard unit in Mississippi. The day after he left, I confirmed that I was pregnant. I got to see him again for two weeks in December. Josh has been in Iraq since February or so. Amy was born in May. After adding it up, I estimate that Josh and I have spent about 6 weeks together all year.

We look forward to the day when father can finally meet his adorable daughter, in person.

For today's entry, I asked the Patriette if she could forward me blogs by other service members who are away from their families and she provided me with a number. Many thanks.

Here are thoughts of Ray Vera

Everyday, I am surrounded by multiple screens and computers where it is easy for one to get hypnotized by the contant glow of the displays and the quiet hum of the machines. For what seems like hours on end, I am immersed in numbers, SIGACTs, maps, trends, and multiple reports that predict the gloom future for the people of Iraq. No matter how grim the situation is, the only thing that goes through my mind is to perform my tasks and do my part. I guess that's all anyone is really expected to do.

But at the end of the day, I come home to my humble little trailer and spend the rest of my waking hours talking to my beautiful wife, Faith. I consider myself lucky to have found someone that cares about me and loves me unconditionally. I only hope that one day I can prove my love to her. She is all I ever think or dream about. Faith gives meaning to my life and helps me to get through the difficult times. It is because of her, I find the strength to wake up every morning, regardless of where my life leads me. I can't wait to wake up beside her every morning for the rest of my life. It is because of her, I know my life is not over.

The Patriette told me that he proposed to her at a Bowl Game. Here's the story.

Captain Mik reflects on 20 years of service.

Now I have to start wrestling with the pros and cons of whether to retire when I get home. I could stay in the Guard for another 10 years to max out my retirement, or even just another 4 or 5 so I could retire as a Major, but either option would most likely involve another deployment. I’m not sure I’m willing to give up that time from my family twice before my kids are even 10 years old. I am missing so much now, I think I would regret missing another year of their lives. Well, I’ve got at least a year to dwell on this subject. We’ll just have to see how it goes. I’m sure I’ll sway both ways depending on how I feel at different times during this deployment.

Stay safe and tell your loved ones that you care. Don’t ever let them forget that.

Finally I'd like to introduce you to JusticeSoldier who writes "Why I fight"

I look into the eyes of my beautiful god daughter, and watching the little ones playing at the cabin every Sunday. Loving them, I cannot in good conscience watch them knowing that we failed to face a horrid evil, instead leaving it for their watch. No way. Children should be left to lead their innocent lives without the shatter and horrors of terrorism and evil. I am proud that we are facing this evil today so that they will not have to. It is with great pride that I walk forward to do my part to ensure the safety and security I grew up in will be extended to those beautiful little ones I watch every Sunday. I do not care if any more WMD’s are ever found in Iraq- I watch my reasons play every weekend. Everyone in life has a calling, and I could not be more proud of the role God has envisioned me to do.

Some of you will be forced to explain to your children the facts of war before their time. Others of you will bear the burden of my absence. My parents and girlfriend will bear the tough role that comes with loving a soldier that goes to war. For all of this, I offer my apologies. I never want to burden anyone and with having to explain such things to loved ones, or to bear such a burden as that which accompanies war. Troubling others is harder than leaving.

Soldiers are trained to fight, to do a job that many of us can't or won't do. But they are, like us, human and have feelings. One need not give up his life or his health to make a sacrifice. The American troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere are protecting us. But they are doing it at the cost of furthering their own interests. They deserve our sincerest gratitude.

As difficult as it may be for a soldier to be separated from his loved ones, one thing that may make up for it is the sweetness of the reunion.

I hope that all soldiers will be rewarded for their devoted, selfless service with reunions with their families and the opportunity to continue their lives where they left off.

Technorati tag: Military Monday.