For those that just don’t get it, this picture is a poignant look into what the Global War on Terror is all about:

Shall we remain complacent and suffer from a fear that will inevitably ensnare a nation?

It is true, it is hard to be apart from your family and living day to day committed in and for the mission. Your day begins knowing that everyone at home misses you. You miss everyone and make the best of it with those around you. The meals are OK, but you’d just love that [enter greatest meal ever here!]. You don’t tell everyone that your heart aches to be home. You definitely know there is more to this than meets the eye. Your country being safe means that your family, and everyone else’s family, is safe too - it’s worth it.

Optimism? You bet and nothing less will fall short of what the United States Military is all about!

Yes, it is terrible to be at home experiencing so many different things at once. You’re living day to day with those feelings of frustration and hurt that makes you question your resolve. Those chairs at the dinner table are always pushed in when they should be filled right now. Going on an errand the driver’s or passenger’s seat in the car just doesn’t seem the same today. The sounds of laughter when the dog falls of the coach go hallow. Those contagious giggles from the little one are left hanging in the moment. The hurt and frustration has to remain hidden because you know it really isn’t going to help - just so far away.

Is a positive commitment to something larger than all of us, bad? It’s what defines us and makes all families at home what the United States of America is all about!

Whenever you see the hugs, tears of joy, and huge smiles on such tiny faces, remember: it is what we are all about.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 2nd, 2006 at 17:32 and is filed under Commitment, GWOT, GreatestGift, WayPoint. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.