I'm 40 and I'm going to Iraq. What the hell am I thinking? I'm married to a wonderful woman I love, have two great kids, good family and friends, a home, cars and motorcycle, good health, and the time to enjoy it all. The American Dream. So why leave it all to play "Army guy", as my boys call it, in a dangerous place for a questionable cause?
The answer is because I have to. I have to because I swore an oath. I have to because I love my country. And I have to because I am a Soldier.
I swore an oath and put on the uniform while we were at peace. I've worn it proudly for nearly 20 years. I'm not going to take it off when we are at war, even if it's a war I don't like. Sunshine patriots are the worst patriots of all. I'm the biggest fair-weather fan there is when it comes to the Twins and the Vikings. But military service isn't a game, and you don't get to choose your opponent or reschedule the event.
Some might say patriotism is quaint or shallow. It's the flag, the National Anthem at a sporting event or on the 4th of July, a bumper sticker or car magnet. Maybe that's all it is to many. I don't claim to be more patriotic than anyone else, but I love my country, and I try to always remember that the freedoms we enjoy today were purchased by the blood of servicemembers. I'm proud to raise and salute the flag, and I fly it at our house often. But I usually don't advertise it elsewhere. You won't see a magnet or bumper sticker on my car, though I'm pleased to see them on others'. But some people use patriotism for the wrong reasons, such as power or profit, extreme nationalism or jingoism, and I don't want to be confused with them. A flag, in the end, is just a piece of cloth. One shows their true colors through deeds, not with words or the display of symbols.
Above all, I am a U.S. Army Soldier. To serve in uniform is noble, and I am proud to have served alongside the nation's true heroes this long. I make no claims of being a great warrior ("Wars not make one great" -Yoda), nor do I think my presence will make much difference in the big picture. But perhaps I can be in the right place at the right time to do the right thing when someone else in my place would not. ("Who you are is what you do when it matters" -unknown). I pray for the courage to do the right thing when it matters.
The biggest compliment I would ever want to overhear is: "Smith? Yeah, he did his part." That's why I'm doing this.
Posted by Jeff at September 27, 2007 9:28 AM