Again we read the words sent to us, informing us that there has been more. More of what? Is that what you were asking yourself? Me too. More loss, I assume. What kind of loss? I imagine it is the most precious kind, life.
Never get too comfortable. That is the lesson I keep getting hammered into my skull. I almost believed we wouldn't have anymore loss. How childish and idealistic of me. Even though we know nothing more than the fact that we have lost, we Wolfhounds are holding our breath, fighting back tears, and bulking up for the details that will come. Was it an IED again? When you say, "heroes" does that mean two or ten? Have the snipers returned?
This Afghanistan war thingy is starting to wear on my nerves. It's been a decade now. They let us build them schools and hospitals, vaccinate their children, clean the drinking water, and then they turn over caches of weapons to the "Freedom Fighters." Those same weapons are later used against us. Caesar built up Brutus as well. Even after Brutus betrayed him and fought against him, Caesar forgave him. Caesar gave him position and authority, fame and wealth. For all of Caesar's efforts and good will towards Brutus, all it accomplished was getting Caesar stabbed in the back by a friend. History has told this tale and ones starkly similar a thousand times and then again. Hell, America has done this before. I just can't see the point in losing another soldier, marine, airman or sailor for this spot on the map.
Is it fear that drives us? Fear of Pakistan? Fear of nuclear weapons? Fear of religious madmen? Do we really believe that if we strong arm Afghanistan into democracy, or a paper doll version of it anyway, that it will somehow help us keep some control over Pakistan? I am a firm believer that crazy men will do crazy things in spite of good men with good intentions trying to prevent it.
More loss. Less control. My head hurts and I feel the need to vomit. Another body bag or two or three are coming. Taps will play again very soon. Widows will be crushed again. Mothers will buckle once more. So goes the heavy wheel of war and sorrow.
Never get too comfortable. That is the lesson I keep getting hammered into my skull. I almost believed we wouldn't have anymore loss. How childish and idealistic of me. Even though we know nothing more than the fact that we have lost, we Wolfhounds are holding our breath, fighting back tears, and bulking up for the details that will come. Was it an IED again? When you say, "heroes" does that mean two or ten? Have the snipers returned?
This Afghanistan war thingy is starting to wear on my nerves. It's been a decade now. They let us build them schools and hospitals, vaccinate their children, clean the drinking water, and then they turn over caches of weapons to the "Freedom Fighters." Those same weapons are later used against us. Caesar built up Brutus as well. Even after Brutus betrayed him and fought against him, Caesar forgave him. Caesar gave him position and authority, fame and wealth. For all of Caesar's efforts and good will towards Brutus, all it accomplished was getting Caesar stabbed in the back by a friend. History has told this tale and ones starkly similar a thousand times and then again. Hell, America has done this before. I just can't see the point in losing another soldier, marine, airman or sailor for this spot on the map.
Is it fear that drives us? Fear of Pakistan? Fear of nuclear weapons? Fear of religious madmen? Do we really believe that if we strong arm Afghanistan into democracy, or a paper doll version of it anyway, that it will somehow help us keep some control over Pakistan? I am a firm believer that crazy men will do crazy things in spite of good men with good intentions trying to prevent it.
More loss. Less control. My head hurts and I feel the need to vomit. Another body bag or two or three are coming. Taps will play again very soon. Widows will be crushed again. Mothers will buckle once more. So goes the heavy wheel of war and sorrow.
Hey Kim your blogs are always enlightening to read. Even when I was in the military I kept my mind off of many things for fear of what it would do to me. It is never a good thing to hear or see that message and wonder (for us) " who was out there today and could it have been this person or that person? There's always this bitter sweet thinking when you found out it's not the person you were worried about and then I would feel guilty because it will always be someone a person is most worried about. My thoughts go out to this soldiers and those people that cared about them most and my hopes to those that are continuing on to remain safe and healthy!
ReplyDeleteOh no. NO!! Damn it....NO!!!!!!!! I am so sick of the loss of life and limb! God help us all as mankind never seems to learn. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for your unit from here. :(
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