KristyWes

Mine Came Back

The past four years have been some of my most difficult: my brother joined the Army in January, 2002. In January, 2003 he was deployed to Kuwait/Iraq for the first 7 months of the war. In July, 2003, when I didn't think I could take one more day of crippling anxiety, he came home. In January, 2005, he deployed again to Iraq. In January, 2006, he came home again. If all goes according to plan, he should be getting out of the army in the next 90 days. No more trips to Iraq (!?!?)

Throughout these past years I made a habit of scanning CNN articles to make sure the casualties mentioned couldn't be my brother. I cringed when the phone rang; worried it was my parents calling with bad news. I sat at a Peter, Paul, and Mary concert, biting my tongue to keep from sobbing through "Where Have All the Flowers Gone." And I have stiffled and choked on rage at the President for getting us all into this mess.

I made a pattern out of the following 3 emotions: fear, relief, guilt. Afraid for my brother's safety, then relieved when he was ok, then guilt when I remembered that someone's brother was not ok. That casualty mentioned on CNN wasn't my brother, but it was someone's brother, someone's son, someone's husband.

The NY Times today reports U.S. casualties in Iraq at 2,207 thus far. (And let us always remember and grieve the untold numbers of Iraqi civilian deaths.) Thank You, God, that my brother came back safely. Father, please bless the soldiers who haven't come back yet, and give comfort to their families who are still waiting.

Where have all the young men gone? Long time passing
Where have all the young men gone? Long time ago
Where have all the young men gone? Gone for soldiers every one
When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?

Where have all the soldiers gone? Long time passing
Where have all the soldiers gone? Long time ago
Where have all the soldiers gone? Gone to graveyards every one
When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?

Where have all the graveyards gone? Long time passing
Where have all the graveyards gone? Long time ago
Where have all the graveyards gone? Covered with flowers every one
When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?