Support our Troops

I saw a movie many years ago when I was 10 years old called The Beast. I don't remember the plot of the movie or who was even in it, but I remember the two characters who became friends inspite of being on opposite sides of a brutal war. This movie stuck with me all these years. It demonstrated the humanity behind the turmoil of war and indelibly marked in my young mind the loneliness and pain that the soldiers endured.

Every day, we are reminded of our military presence in so many countries. Every day, we are reminded of the unrest that is happening in our world - an unrest that requires weapons and the men and women who must wield them. War movies are always difficult for me to watch. No one wins. It is a sacrifice for all involved.

I thought I understood about war and the fight for peace and order in the world. I thought I can imagine the difficulties and challenges that our troops experience. I thought I did. Until one day, I realized I didn't and couldn't possibly imagine.

I met Paul in Miami Beach. He was on leave and visiting his family. His friend, Kyle, was visiting with him. As special forces marines and having gone to several missions together, Paul and Kyle had a friendship that only similar experiences together can build and strengthen.

Two days after completing a mission, they arrive in Miami Beach. The next day, Kyle woke up from a nightmare and shot himself. The mayhem of the trauma room did not and could not distract me from feeling Paul's grief as he stood transfixed and helpless in the doorway. Later, in the family room, I sat with him as he cried and talked, became angry, cried again. This was the moment I realized that I know nothing of war, about what our troops go through every day. What I think I know and can imagine is so negligible.

The election looms and our politicians volley words at each other about the justifications or wrongness of our military overseas. I wonder how many of us think of the Kyles of our military and the rippling of waves created as their lives and people around them are forever changed.

To Paul, wherever you are now, you've changed my life in more ways than you know. God bless.

To Tom: thanks for sending this to me. I may not say much about this subject, but it isn’t very far from my heart.

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You stay up for 16 hours.

He stays up for days on end.





You take a warm shower to help you wake up.

He goes days or weeks without running water.





You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.

He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.





You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.

He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.





You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.





You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.

He doesn't get to eat today.





Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.





You go to the mall and get your hair redone.

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.





You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.





You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.




You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.

He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.






You roll your eyes as a baby cries.

He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.





You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.

He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.





You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.

He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.





You see only what the media wants you to see.

He sees the broken bodies lying around him.





You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.

He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.




You stay at home and watch TV.

He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

























HAVE HOPE FOR OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS PLEASE...