Make It Not Be So
I watched the Presidential address this week and immediately knew when I heard more troops were going out, that E would probably be sent out. Last night, E confirmed it.
E is J’s closest best friend and when they are together, it’s like they are brothers. We lived with E through college; he was a groomsman in our wedding and has continued to be a wonderful friend. We consider him family. We visit his parents and his sister’s family every year. It’s going to be hard knowing, that he will be over in Iraq, for an incredibly long period time.
When I heard the new last night, I was in tears. I know he wants, has to and needs to go but I don’t want him to. I support our troops; they do a job I know I couldn’t do. I am grateful for all the sacrifices and hard work they do. I support our Presidents decision (yes, so many disagree with me on this, but I’m a Republican, what do you expect?) to send more troops. We all complain about the American loss of life, but what about the Iraqi people? They don’t deserve to die anymore than an American. We started this and we need to finish it. People in the world hate us enough as it is, we don’t need to add ‘Abandonment’ to our list.
I remember the Gulf War and worrying that my Dad would be sent over there. I knew then, at that age, it needed to be, if it came down to that. I remember wishing that Saddam would be captured and dealt the same punishment he handed out to so many innocent people. That’s finally done now.
My cousin has already lost her husband to an IED in Iraq but J’s cousin went over right at the beginning, came home fine and wants to go back. You just never know. I know E is smart and won’t do anything stupid. The same cannot be said for people he may encounter.
E – We’ll be thinking of you, praying for you and sending you lots of letters. We’re incredibly proud to be your friends and know that you will come home safely.