My CountryI have had this online journal for almost a year and am amazed that I have not made one mention that our country has now been at war for the past 4 years.
I first recognize that even though I have been intrigued of late to learn more about this war and why we are in it, I don't think I know enough to say if we should. But I do know that I appreciate and respect the hard work of those that do.
Since living in D.C. I have become much more aware of how this country works. The other night I was glued to the State of the Union address by President George Bush, something I have never watched before.
I watched the hearings or interviews the other day with Gen. David Petraeus, and the decision to make him the top commander of the war. I was so impressed with Senator McCain who publicly thanked his wife and children for the sacrifices they have made during this war. Gen. Petraeus then stated that he has been in Iraq for 3 years!
I am so grateful for the military families who sacrifice so much that goes unnoticed. A big shout out to Missy and her family to have her husband home now!
Due to where Jeff now works we see a different side of the war that often is left unsaid and goes unnoticed. His stories have been sobering and heroic. Many times I have wanted to share them on my blog, but they really are not my stories to share.
One of the amazing things about our new calling in church is that all the soldiers who come to the hospital are in the ward boundaries of our new ward. It can be difficult for someone from the ward to get on base right away to be there... for Jeff is a few steps away from letting them know he is from their church and here for them.
Jeff has been out of town all week and it has been on the crazy side. We have missed him so much, and it has only been 1 week. The feelings I have had this week have motivated me to be more involved with a friend who's husband is in Iraq for a year and see what I can do to help her out.
I don't think I know enough about the war to make the decision if we should be there or not, but know I care about those who do make those decisions, soldier who are are there and sacrifice so much.
I first recognize that even though I have been intrigued of late to learn more about this war and why we are in it, I don't think I know enough to say if we should. But I do know that I appreciate and respect the hard work of those that do.
Since living in D.C. I have become much more aware of how this country works. The other night I was glued to the State of the Union address by President George Bush, something I have never watched before.
I watched the hearings or interviews the other day with Gen. David Petraeus, and the decision to make him the top commander of the war. I was so impressed with Senator McCain who publicly thanked his wife and children for the sacrifices they have made during this war. Gen. Petraeus then stated that he has been in Iraq for 3 years!
I am so grateful for the military families who sacrifice so much that goes unnoticed. A big shout out to Missy and her family to have her husband home now!
Due to where Jeff now works we see a different side of the war that often is left unsaid and goes unnoticed. His stories have been sobering and heroic. Many times I have wanted to share them on my blog, but they really are not my stories to share.
One of the amazing things about our new calling in church is that all the soldiers who come to the hospital are in the ward boundaries of our new ward. It can be difficult for someone from the ward to get on base right away to be there... for Jeff is a few steps away from letting them know he is from their church and here for them.
Jeff has been out of town all week and it has been on the crazy side. We have missed him so much, and it has only been 1 week. The feelings I have had this week have motivated me to be more involved with a friend who's husband is in Iraq for a year and see what I can do to help her out.
I don't think I know enough about the war to make the decision if we should be there or not, but know I care about those who do make those decisions, soldier who are are there and sacrifice so much.
If you feel like you want to make a difference click here.
video about the Fisher House
video about the Fisher House
the above photo is a Willow Tree statue my parents gave me for Christmas.
Thanks Mom and Dad this sums up how feel every time I see our flag.
Thanks Mom and Dad this sums up how feel every time I see our flag.
11 comments:
Kristi
Funny how we forget to mention some of the big and ongoing things in lives for future posterity isn't it? I'm glad you reminded me of that in your post.
This war and the families it affects--both soldiers / victims--has been really personal for our family. We have two sons (one who attends West Point and one who attends the Air Force Academy)that prepare every day to lead and fight for America. Likewise, I have many friends involved in it. I am grateful and humbled by the men and women who serve so valiantly and selflessly. I am also humbled and grateful to live in a country that has so many freedoms and can often help others.
What a great opportunity Jeff has to strengthen so many fellow soldiers and saints.
Thanks for posting on this.
This is a great post. THe war has been on my mind a lot latley also. I don't know enough to know whether or not to be in also but I have many friends whos husbands are away fighting. I should watch the news more or read up on it but it is so stressful for me.
My husband travels a lot and I think I am so picked on when he is gone for 2-3 days at a time. I just can't imagine having him gone for 15-18 months missing every holiday, birthday or special occasion. I feel so bad for the kids. My kids struggle with our situation they would be devistated to have him gone that long or worse if something happen to him.
I am so gratful for the men and woman willing to serve our country. THey are the true heros.
You are so wise to mention this on your blog. I know we talked about this on the phone the other day, but it is truly amazing that our lives haven't really been affected by the war. We are very blessed by this, but it's kind of embarrassing too. I'm impressed that you watched the State of the Union address and the hearings and interviews with Gen. Davie Petraeus. I never watch the news and know nothing about what's going on. It's my flamingo approach to life.
I think about this a lot. I am so humbled by the families that do have someone they love fighting this war. I can't imagine getting through the days until they safely arrived home. It's an unbelievable sacrifice, one that I am not sure I am strong enough to make.
Thanks for posting this. It's a quick reminder for all of us.
Knowing someone who is affected by the war makes it more real. One of my good friends' husband is getting ready to head out on his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq. They have five kids between the ages of 6 and 14. It is a huge sacrifice for their family to have him gone. I have so much gratitude for him and others who are sacrificing. I, like you, don't know enough to make decision about how I feel about the war, but I am so grateful for those who are dutifully and proudly serving their country.
I feel so blessed there are men and woman fighting for our freedoms. I also feel blessed I haven't felt the sting of war the past four years, but I think it's just a matter of time before our lives are affected. We are spending a lot of money on the war and we are going to have to come up with it somehow. I fear more taxes. I also fear what will happen if Iraq can't control what's going on when US pulls out. It's an uncertain time and just hope the middle east can find peace.
Great post.
Love the willow statue and it's interesting to hear what you all think about this. I often wish that we had a way to really understand what the truth is, to feel educated. I don't know what the answer is. I can only imagine how hard it is on families who have to send their loved ones. I'm so grateful for patriotic, sacrificing people who protect us as Americans and other countries and people.
I have been feeling a little sorry for myself this week because I have been home alone--stuck with the kids, is how I've seen it. Today, even before reading your post, I started to think about what military wives go through while their husbands are away on tours of duty for months at a time. I know that the men and women who leave their families sacrifice so much. But it is the families at home who my heart goes out to. The sacrifice they make by letting their partners, and the parents of their children go is immense. It's humbling, and makes me regret that I allowed myself to complain even once.
I LOVE that Willow Tree figurine!! I have such patriotic feelings in my heart for this GREAT Country in which we live!! I came to really know a lot better and appreciate John McCain and the leader and influence that he has when we lived in Arizona because that is his home state.
I have mixed feelings about the war in Iraq. I watched the hearings before we went to war. I know they thought there were weapons of mass destruction over there that they never found. I think Colin Powell and many others including President Bush acted on the best information they had at the time. But even still, I did not think there was sufficient evidence to go to war.
I'm sad that it has happened and for all of the lives permanently changed by death, disability and distance.
But, I think it was "meant" to happen this way. There has been MUCH good come of this trying time as well! There are MANY Heroes who so valiantly serve knowing they are in harms way and may never see their families again!
I have a GOOD friend from High School who is LDS and SHE is serving in the US Army and she is away from her children (she is a single Mom) serving in Iraq right now! She came and stayed with me for a few days right before she left.
It was fun to see her and we had some good times but it was a bittersweet departure! I pray for her and we email and she is upbeat in spirits. (She rides in a truck in the convoys, she used to be a drill sargeant I can't remember her title anymore. But she is an enlisted member who has served since we graduated from HS 15 years ago.)
My heart aches for her children. Anyway, your post conjures up a lot of emotional feelings about this war and the effects both good and bad! It causes me to think more deeply about it, so thank you for that!!
For some reason it won't let me post my blogger identity. So I will just post my name!
Thanks for bringing this difficult subject to our attention. It's always food for thought.
You are to be commended, at the very least, for thinking of your friend and how you can help her. Well done, Kristi, for starting off 'small' and 'at home'!
I have a particular *thing* about ppl understanding the importance of their right to vote, and using their vote. I cannot abide abstaining from voting. I will always strive to teach my girls (particularly as they ARE girls) how women in the UK fought and died for their right to vote; how they must cherish the fact that they live in a democracy; how it is their duty to take in a good cross-section of opinion on subjects being voted on - and, I guess in the case of this complete debacle of a war, it is always our duty to try and correct our errors next time around with our vote. We can't undo the past, but we can certainly underpin a stronger future by being informed and active in our resolutions.
Thanks again for making us think about all this.
I just hope at the end of all this, people in Iraq can vote with freedom and safety and be allowed the right to an opinion that so many of us take so much for granted.
I left a comment for Missy on her blog too. What fabulous images! Thanks for linking her.
I am not sure where I stand on the war either but I get so angry when I see/hear people not supporting the troops. They need to feel our support and so do their families. Tonight at a fireside (about Russia) the speaker said that it didn't matter what we think of President Bush he is our president of our country. I wish I had written that part down he said it very well but it was another reminder to me of this great place that we live and the great people who lead us.
I can't imagine sending my husband off to war. I bawl like a baby when he leaves over night. Thre are so many sacrificing so much more than we know. Thanks for the post.
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