Losing it while watching Oprah

Ok watching Oprah just made me loose it....it was letters from soldiers who would not make it home, some arrived right before they were killed, some came after they had already had passed and the family was notified, what a special but unbearable pain that those letter must of caused.  These are someone's babies, someone's forever love, someone's Mommy or Daddy, someone who was destined for greatness and will be loved and missed greatly.

Being from a long standing military family that has been traced back to the French and Indian War which was officially began in 1756, I know that War is an evil necessity, but that does not make it any easier to accept when a loved one does not return from War. My Parents met while in the Air Force and I currently have a nephew in Iraq and a cousin in Afganistan and many others that I care about have family members that are serving their country in these two war ravaged countries.

Being born in 1963 and spending my early life as a military brat I did not understand what the Vietnam War was all about but I did understand what the American Flag and the POW and MIA flags and bracelets meant. I wore both POW and MIA bracelets during most of my childhood, I knew they stood for an American person who was a soldier and who might not come home. I remember my Mother not being able to tell me were my Father and my Uncles were, my Father flew a lot of missions that he wasn't able to discuss with my Mother. One in particular haunted him until his death at 41, he never did tell us where he was or what he was supposed to do, but that what ever it was, it was aborted the mission at the very last moment and he was ordered to return to base.

 

My Mothers military career ended upon the birth of her first born, my Brother. But followed my Father where ever they would let an American family follow. I spent a few years over seas in Europe and many summers running around military bases playing soldier. My dearest treasures are my Father's Dog Tags and his Burial Flag.There aren't too many things he did that I am proud of but serving his country was one I could adore him for, for that he is an AmericanHero and mine too!

What the Vietnam war did teach me was that those brave men who went and did their job without hesitation, for the love of their country and the sacrifices they and their families made, make me very proud to be an American and I am so happy to see even though some people are against this war, they are not against the soldier's fighting it.

So I cry a tear for the ones that aren't coming home, and I send prayers to the family's that have to accept this and I am forever grateful for those who are poised to defend this great country at great costs to themselves. Hero's come in many uniforms.....God Bless!