On Facebook I've been reading the short posts to each other of my nephew and his wife. MJ is currently in the Army serving in Afghanistan and won't be coming home until April 2011. It is evident that they miss each other terribly.
Reading their posts is a poignant reminder of ALL the sacrifices that our military men and women make. It's the danger of the job for sure - a no-brainer. But it's also the toll it takes on families - long stretches of being apart, daily pressures, constant worry, and missing each other.
Another nephew who was in the Army in his late teens - now in his mid-40's - recently re-enlisted. He has a son who has enlisted in the Marines and two younger sons still at home. He's also currently stationed in Afghanistan.
My son is in the Navy and deals with the same issues of separation from his wife and daughter when he is "under way". His time away is sporadic - often gone a week, 2 weeks, a month, 6 weeks...which is stressful for his family. His second long tour of duty is coming up and he'll be away for 6 months.
To be clear - these 3 cousins are proud to be serving their country. I'm sure they've had their 'moments' - however they chose their own paths to enlist in the military - not decisions taken lightly.
Regardless of the complicated social and political reasons why they are where they are - right or wrong - I am proud and grateful for their commitment and sacrifice.
Man's intolerance with one another has been around since the first cave man threw a rock at his neighbor.
Civilization has come a long way on many levels. Unfortunately humankind hasn't evolved very well in figuring out how to live together in peace.
I wonder if some day we'll "get it" before there's nothing left.
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