…actually, I should say I met an army “kid” today, he seemed so young. I was out for lunch with my co-workers when I stopped to admire a cute little baby (turned out he was 2 weeks old) in a baby carrier and the army man was his dad, on his way to Iraq (Sadr City). He got some off-time to see his son’s birth and now he is going away again. This was the first time I met in person someone personally going to be involved with war and I left the scene with a feeling of deep sadness in my heart.
I had a baby 8 weeks ago as you all know and I am very sensitive to family issues right now. This is probably why the tableau of the young man in his full uniform wistfully and lovingly looking at his sleeping baby for one last time made such a big impact on me. This young man knows he is going to be in one of the toughest places in Iraq - he still tried to reassure me that things are getting much better now, while all I could mange was to stammer “Good Luck!” and “Cute Kid!” to him.
I did mention to him I was volunteering for “Operation Give” and that I think Chief Wiggles is a cool guy and this man seemed happy, because he seemed pretty unsure of three Indian girls accosting him in the restaurant. He didn’t know what to make of us or our affiliations. I am not a religious person but if there is a God out there, I hope this father and son duo will get reunited - it would break my heart to imagine anything going wrong this man who is leaving behind his tiny, little son.
This post is probably going to be the most incoherent sounding one that I have ever made, but I am very emotional right now. I feel pain as if someone I love is going off to war and facing an uncertain future. The soldier was also with his mom (I think) and it was she who told us he was on his way to Iraq - she sounded proud of him, while at the same time choked up. She sounded like she wanted the whole world to know her son is willing to lay his life down to make someone else’s better. I am not sure I would be that unselfish in the face of a war if I were in her position. I am sad it had to come to this that her son is out fighting a war believing that it is going to keep me and my son safe, but I am glad there are people like him who are willing to do so - without them, where would be this freedom and this prosperity that I so dearly cherish?
p.s. Of us three girls who met him, I was pro-war and the other two anti-war - this young man still made an impression on each of us and we all felt sad at the prospect of his leaving his son behind to go to war in a far-off place. We all empathized with his plight and wished him the best. These are anti-war people I can talk to and discuss things with - they see things different from me, but ultimately we all value human life and we wouldn’t wish death on anyone. (I am referring here to some “peace” activists who gloat at every war casualty).
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What’s so sad is that a guy like Ted Rall will go ahead and call this guy a baby-killer and tool of the “illegal government”. Too many “peace” activists think that the only people making sacrifices are the Iraqi people.
Posted by: moe at July 17, 2004 11:04 PM
I’m so glad that they’ve found the Iraqi WMD and there’s peace in iraq now. It shows that more than a 1000 American soldiers didn’t die in vain.
Long live george w shrub!
Posted by: Zoidberg at July 18, 2004 12:37 AM
Moe, people like him will talk from both sides of their mouth on the issue. On the one side they claim to support the troops while on the other hand they call them names…
Zoidberg, stick to topic or shut up! Cute talking points like yours may make fun soundbytes, but nothing else.
Posted by: Shanti at July 18, 2004 6:53 PM
Hai Shanti….
i am praying God to reunit that soilder & little baby…i think u r looking this matter with little more emotional…ok
do u know why we (Indian’s) are giving more attention or respect to Army people..because they have to protect us …so that we can enjoy the life without following any Traffic rules, No Smoking in public place rule, do not urinate in public place(I hate myself to come under MEN’S category in this issue) , basic mankind decipline….i am having so much of social anger about abovesaid 3 issues…
Posted by: moorthy at July 26, 2004 4:49 AM
I agree I was pretty emotional on the issue - I think being a new mom had a thing or two to do with it…
Posted by: Shanti at July 26, 2004 8:51 AM