Thoughts on the Military

Looking through a pile of memorabilia yesterday, I stumbled across a few medals of mine from a few years ago. One detailed that I had been part of the support team for 19 military-related mass casualty incidents. It reminded me of all that I have seen over the years, especially since 9/11/01. Here are various things related to this that most people might not know:

1) When a bomb explodes, people don't fly through the air, like in the movies. Instead, it's pieces of people.

2) Statements of support for people serving in the military often sound better to those offering them than those receiving them.

3) Most of the best stories of honor and heroism in the military remain untold. For example, the mortuary at Dover is the scene of almost daily honor. People working there do their utmost to offer behind-the-scenes comfort to families of fallen soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines. No one knows.

4) For many, it's impossible to re-enter life after being deployed. Instead, they have to put together a new life using the ingredients of the one they left behind. Someone who has seen combat or who has had related experiences should not be expected or told to "get over it."

5) All have Post Traumatic Stress (PTS). It's the "D" in PTSD that's the problem. The "D" stands for disorder.

6) Much of military service is routine. It's about filling out forms and waiting in line more often than the media portrays.

7) So far, with today's wars, most people in the military are safe. They won't be killed or wounded, but they will still pay a price that many people back home simply will never understand.

8) The families left back home need much more love, care, and attention than they are getting. If we "support the troops," we should show it by supporting their families more.

9) There are many parts of military service that are more significant, exciting, challenging, and satisfying than they look in the media. For many people, it's a life calling they hold close to their hearts. There really are still patriots.

What are your thoughts on all this?         

Peculiar Day Off

It was strange, this Monday morning, to transition from VBS with over 200 kids singing, screaming, and having a good time to the opening of the Vet Center in Middletown, NY, where I prayed both an opening and closing prayer in my BDU's (the camouflage uniform). U.S. Congressmen, A New York Senator, the Orange County Supervisor, and others were there lending good support, but the stars in my eyes were the Vet Center workers. These people from all over have dedicated their lives to helping veterans, especially with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Now I'm home salvaging what little I can from a supposed day off, listening to Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" and drinking different flavors of Tassimo coffee. I shook the hands of Congressman Hall and Congressman Hinchey a few hours ago. These same hands were clapping with 200 kids to the beat of the newest fun kids' praise songs hours before that. Now they are ironing.  Somebody spoke to me yesterday between church services and said I was like a celebrity. Peculiar. Right now, I'm ironing and probably the only person in Orange County NY this instant listening to 20th classical music. I'm many things, but not a celebrity. Some days off are more peculiar than others.