"I lived a great life" the WWII vet said and then went on to say that "at times something was missing and I would find myself pulled back in (to the war)..."
Combat is intense, powerful, intimidating, and visceral. Surviving that combat or any such action sometimes results in equally powerful mixed emotions. Trying to wrap your head around the insane violence, and senseless death of friends; the friend that was just standing beside you can be all consuming.
Coming home and instantly surrounded by the people and things you dreamed about for so long is also a mixed bag. To the veterans, our rushing about for such trivial things is ridiculous. They are happy to see those they care about yet feel alone in their feelings and experiences. "Normal" life can seem agonizingly slow. The high tension is missing, along with the incredibly strong friendships forged in battle.
I wrote those paragraphs a few months ago while I was watching the PBS special on WWII. Tonight on Nightline was a story about a platoon in Afghanistan and their effort to fight enemy forces in some of the same parts of the country that Aaron was in during his time there.
I was struck by the intensity of the situation. The comradery among the platoon was plain to see and breaks your heart when you watch the men deal with the death of one of their own. The short report brought Aaron's ordeal very very close to home. Watching the show and realizing that Aaron was in that position who knows how many times floods you with the same sense of anxiety and stress we all felt while he was in country.
The unthinkable happens to families around us everyday. The more public ritual starts with "May we come in" and ends with "On behalf of a greatful nation". The private agony and longing never ends for many. As a family we hunkered down and waited for that dangerous and subtle game of prayer, fasting, faith, and luck on one side and fate, and free will on the other to play itself out and find balance with the desires of our father in heaven.
I am completely humbled to the core at the blessings we have received. While I am thankful that he came back well, I am reminded of those that are still out there trudging up and down the hills, valleys, and neighborhoods of foreign lands trying to get the job done so they can come home.
So now that Aaron is back Im glad that all he has to deal with is the suddenly mundane and boring.
Combat is intense, powerful, intimidating, and visceral. Surviving that combat or any such action sometimes results in equally powerful mixed emotions. Trying to wrap your head around the insane violence, and senseless death of friends; the friend that was just standing beside you can be all consuming.
Coming home and instantly surrounded by the people and things you dreamed about for so long is also a mixed bag. To the veterans, our rushing about for such trivial things is ridiculous. They are happy to see those they care about yet feel alone in their feelings and experiences. "Normal" life can seem agonizingly slow. The high tension is missing, along with the incredibly strong friendships forged in battle.
I wrote those paragraphs a few months ago while I was watching the PBS special on WWII. Tonight on Nightline was a story about a platoon in Afghanistan and their effort to fight enemy forces in some of the same parts of the country that Aaron was in during his time there.
I was struck by the intensity of the situation. The comradery among the platoon was plain to see and breaks your heart when you watch the men deal with the death of one of their own. The short report brought Aaron's ordeal very very close to home. Watching the show and realizing that Aaron was in that position who knows how many times floods you with the same sense of anxiety and stress we all felt while he was in country.
The unthinkable happens to families around us everyday. The more public ritual starts with "May we come in" and ends with "On behalf of a greatful nation". The private agony and longing never ends for many. As a family we hunkered down and waited for that dangerous and subtle game of prayer, fasting, faith, and luck on one side and fate, and free will on the other to play itself out and find balance with the desires of our father in heaven.
I am completely humbled to the core at the blessings we have received. While I am thankful that he came back well, I am reminded of those that are still out there trudging up and down the hills, valleys, and neighborhoods of foreign lands trying to get the job done so they can come home.
So now that Aaron is back Im glad that all he has to deal with is the suddenly mundane and boring.
posted by Adam at 12:03 AM
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