Military Life...Spouses, family, fear & More

My dh has recently returned from training for his upcoming deployment to Iraq. Since this will be his first tour there, we have not had to experience this scenario before. We've been lucky. In fact, we've been spoiled. Gluttinous.

His brief training has brought to life many things that I think most people take for granted. Me included. It is so very easy to go about our daily lives and forget, or perhaps put to the rear of our busy minds, that there are men and women overseas fighting for God-knows-what. This war has gone on for 7 years. This war that was started because the terrorists killed thousands of Americans. Clearly, we had to attack back, because had we not, then America would appear weak, a stomping ground.

But I find myself a little confused these days. Did we attack because we were retaliating? Because we wanted to find the guy who headed up the terrorist attack and kill him? Or perhaps we attacked to show our strength as a Country. But after we attacked, did we change directions to try and force another place to live as we see fit? Have we done that? What is this creating of war to try and stop war? Fighting to stop fighting? Where have we gone awry, or have we not? Do I completely misunderstand the goings on overseas? Because what I see are thousands of kids getting killed, and thousands of families getting torn apart for what seems to be an endless war. When do we win? Or do we really lose no matter what?

Back to the point of my blog - Does anyone out there in places that matter, decision making status, realize how long a year or 18 months really is? Do you understand that for a child, a year is measured in days, hours, minutes, and events - birthdays, weekends, bedtime stories? Decision makers - Do you even care about such things? I know of families where the husband and wife have both been sent overseas. Who cares for the children? Why on earth would you take both parents of young children? Each time a person is sent to war, they stand to lose their life, parents stand to lose children, and children stand to lose parents. Friends stand to lose friends, lovers, soul-mates, etc.

Nights are long when you are away from your friend, lover, spouse, parent. But forget about those who stay here - How about those who go to war? We're talking about months and months without a support system - No hugs, no smiles at the end of a long day, no chance to fall into their special someone's arms and wallow in comfort - Everyone deserves at least that, right?

What's the answer or the reason for my blog? I have no idea - I needed to vent and ask questions to the Internet world - To those who are missing their friends and loved ones. No one who makes military decisions would read this or any other blog and suddenly say, "Hey! They have a point - this has gone on way to long!" Nope. Not happening.

To those of you who are missing your friends and families - We are here for you! A shoulder to lean on, a caring friend at the end of the day, mothers who understand needing a few minutes to wash your hair or have a little cry. Girlfriends who miss their significant others. We're here. We care. Join us.