12 Days

[VOR]

12 days isn't much time when it's all the time you'll have for the next 12-18 months.

I've been giving this some thought, and I believe the reason this time is hitting me harder than the last two must be because I know what to expect. Well, as the saying goes, we sleep in the bed we make.

Lately, I've been considering my own committment and resolve. This has been a long war already, that much is true. Hard to believe it's been two years since I made a heartfelt post here while on an R&R leave during the last hurrah. It's always funny the way time works and moves relative to what we're experiencing...the last year and a half has been a blur. Life as usual, nothing to report. I only wish, in hindsight, that I could experience it again in order to appreciate all those moments and opportunities I probably took for granted. Time doesn't stand still, after all, while we're not watching.

Anyway, back to my committment and resolve: it's been tough, these last few days. I think I'm developing an ulcer, to be perfectly honest. The thought of leaving *again* and living that life *again* is almost enough to make me nauseous. In fact, if it weren't for the people I love, maybe my resolve would crumble entirely.

There are alot of people around here who think what we're doing there is the most monumental and critical event  of the century. Others think it's a crime, bogus, based on a lie. Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. One request: make it an educated opinion. Don't let Michael Moore or Ann Coulter make up your mind for you. (In concession, if you were to ask 10 vets what it was like "over there", you might very well have 5 or more answers. It's all relative to experience and perspective.)

As long as I live, it is my mission to save my kids from having to deal with the troubles we have. One way or another...whatever it takes. As long as I live, it is my mission to give them an adult life without suicide bombers, head hackers, and "soldiers" that "make no distinction between uniformed and non-uniformed American enemies". The answer may be Britney Spears CD's, X-boxes or the bomb. Whatever works. I'll do my part for the next year, whatever that part my evolve into. Suffice it to say that I feel what I'm going to do is important;maybe or maybe not for the reasons either party is selling at the moment.

12 days. I can't seem to slow the clock down, no matter what I do. In fact, it's almost midnight here, so make that 11 days.

[Nash]

VOR...

Extremely well said. Really. Not to be all gay about it, but that was a nice piece of writing.

I just finished this book. It's the only book I could find written by a soldier who's served there.

Not pretty. You have my admiration and best wishes.

[Sandman]

Best of luck, VOR.

Watch your bellybutton over there and get back home safe.

[nirvana]

While some of us may not support the war, you deserve a huzzah and big thank you for doing it.    Be safe.

[Russian]

S

[Gunslinger]

"Keep your head down and don't bunch up"  

[Bluedog]

Originally posted by VOR

 The thought of leaving *again* and living that life *again* is almost enough to make me nauseous. In fact, if it weren't for the people I love, maybe my resolve would crumble entirely.

There are alot of people around here who think what we're doing there is the most monumental and critical event  of the century. Others think it's a crime, bogus, based on a lie. Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. One request: make it an educated opinion. Don't let Michael Moore or Ann Coulter make up your mind for you. (In concession, if you were to ask 10 vets what it was like "over there", you might very well have 5 or more answers. It's all relative to experience and perspective.)

As long as I live, it is my mission to save my kids from having to deal with the troubles we have. One way or another...whatever it takes. As long as I live, it is my mission to give them an adult life without suicide bombers, head hackers, and "soldiers" that "make no distinction between uniformed and non-uniformed American enemies". The answer may be Britney Spears CD's, X-boxes or the bomb. Whatever works. I'll do my part for the next year, whatever that part my evolve into. Suffice it to say that I feel what I'm going to do is important;maybe or maybe not for the reasons either party is selling at the moment.

 

Regardless of where 'we' as noncombatant outsiders stand on the issue of this war's being right or wrong, the reasons you state are worthy of any man's deepest respect, and you certainly have mine.

For what it is worth, coming from someone who lives half a world away that you will most likely never meet, Thank you VOR, and all those like you, good luck, stand proud and come home safe.

[moot]

Wish I could be there getting it done too.

[Godzilla]

VOR, I thank God that our country has men and women like you who are out there making the sacrifices and making a real difference in this world.

I can probably never personally repay you for all you and others just like you have done for our country. All I can do is tell you that I deeply admire and appreciate you and your peers, past and present.

What you are a part of is something that you cannot control, but you can be proud  to  know that millions of people stand behind you and support what you are doing.

I'm not very good at words. Just trying to say thank you and God bless you.

[Sixpence]

Godspeed


You have our support and prayers. Send me an email, i'll mail you anything you need

[Vulcan]

VOR, my wife, and much of my extended family, survived the "holocaust" of cambodia. My wifes father and older sister were executed by the Khmer Rouge. I have heard horror stories that make your skin crawl, and are especially deep because I am hearing them 1st hand, from those that experienced them.

What you are doing is seen by people like my wife to be an awesome task, a task which people like her can never find enough words to express their thanks. She often asks me why no one ever helped in Cambodia. Your presence in iraq will make a difference to someone like her.

Sure, there are a vocal few who want the yanks to go home. But they are usually those who have not lost as much as others, especially in a country like iraq.

Whether you agree with your presidents policy or not, there are people who will simply be alive because you are there, and there are people who will be alive without pain because of your presense.

Good on ya mate.

[Jackal1]

To hell with the nay sayers. They have the foresight of a slug. I can guarantee ya they would be screaming and whining "why didn`t someone do something about this" if we waited for this to come to our homeland instead of cutting the snake`s head off, which it surely would.
  There are not enough words or compensation of any sort that would equal the job that is being done.
  A big salute to all who are serving now and to those who have done so in the past.

[Shifty]

VOR.
All I can say is Thank You. I hope you time passes fast , and your home with your loved ones as soon as possible. The majority of us get a soft easy life , because of the sacrifices of people like you.
Again
Thanks
Gods Speed:aok

[Curval]

"The thought of leaving *again* and living that life *again* is almost enough to make me nauseous."

I feel for you mate...I really do.  Be safe and get home to your family.

[Hangtime]

There is no higher standard than yours.

You make me proud of who and what we are.

'To thine own self be true'.

God Bless, and good luck.