We got the word today.

Deployment.

The brisk winds of January will bring more than just a chance of snow this year…they will herald the departure of another of our own to Iraq. Those who serve will join the rank and file as they head out into a war. Those of us who stay behind will maintain our position in the rank and file with other families who support our troops here at home. We maintain that support in the midst of a nation which does not attempt to disguise it’s scorn for the President and his decision to lead us into war.

Because my family is comprised largely of military personnel, this comes as no surprise. Military families are, for the most part, a pragmatic bunch. Even those of us who are unable to serve know the drill. Military service is, among other things…a job.

Go where the boss sends you.

Ask no questions.

Remember to pray.

Do I worry? Yes. After all, I love my family. This is just one of those times when you have to have faith that everything will be okay.

There are those here who will argue vehemently against this war. Everybody has an opinion…even me. There is no such thing as a popular war. Every cry of ‘bring our soldiers home’ is echoed by yet another cry of pride and support for those troops who go…and those who never come back.

To those who know me, I offer a few words of advice. If your sentiments regarding this war prompt you to issue loud condemnation and protest….resist the urge to share them with me.

My family has served in support of your right to freedom for many years. I am proud of each and every member in all branches of service. This is their job…they chose this job…and they, like you, follow the orders of their superiors. The things that your boss might instruct you to do pale in comparison to orders that our servicemen and women must follow. They have a strength and fortitude that you can only imagine as you go about your daily lives…and they exhibit more discipline in a single day than most civilians will in an entire lifetime. Most importantly, they do it willingly.

So many times, I have heard others say that those who join the military have no idea what they are doing. They only join for the education, the travel, the steady job. To those who express that sentiment, I offer the following response: Hogwash!

It takes a special breed of human to choose the military for a career. It takes strength and courage. It takes incentive and determination. It takes love. If you take a job that requires you to learn to handle weaponry and survive under extreme circumstances, you accept that job armed with the knowledge that you may be called upon to utilize those skills at a moments notice. Do not underestimate the intelligence of our military by presuming that they have taken on a job without full knowledge of what they may be called upon to do. Even the youngest of our troops are well-advised of the dangers of the path that they have chosen to march.

So protest if you must. March, carry signs, chant your anti-war slogans, and voice your displeasure with our current administration. After all, it is your right….your freedom. It is but one of the many freedoms that my family and the families of others have worked for generations to protect for you. Just don’t expect me to join in….don’t expect me to agree.

You see, those troops over there are not faceless to me….they are my family.

They are doing their job to the best of their abilities….and I hold my place in the rank and file of supporters… proud of each and every one of them.

arkmomy