On a forward operating base on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan –
the soldiers’ signpost denoted their current location as “HELL” (2004)

Today is my son Noah’s 27th birthday. Today, like so many other days before it, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to still have Noah with us. When Noah signed up for the Army at the end of his senior year in high school the recruiter told us he would likely never see any combat and would get to travel all over the world. The Army, according to the recruiter, was filled with opportunities and benefits for an intelligent young man like Noah.

Noah went to boot camp in August 2001. Noah’s position was a Forward Observer (that is the fellow in front, with the radio calling in the coordinates of enemy positions). For this he received a substantial signing bonus. Later Noah shared that the joke was that the number of thousands in the bonus correlated with the life span (in seconds) in the field.

Noah has since completed his service with the Army. He did sustain a fairly serious physical injury that he will suffer with his entire life, but I know that others have suffered much greater losses. He also has been subjected to experiences that the average citizen cannot comprehend. Noah’s unit was on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan. His unit was involved in fighting and soldiers were lost. Sons and daughters, husbands and wives, and brothers and sisters were all lost fighting the cause of this country.

While Noah was overseas I had CNN on constantly. I religiously checked the family website that advised of casualties. I prayed – a lot. I am grateful that Noah made it home. I know that I am fortunate. I know that many other parents have not been so fortunate.

I have a number of students who serve in the National Guard and other military branches. It frightens me to think that all their youthful energy and life can be stripped from them in an instant in a country thousands of miles away from their homes. I know they are proud to serve and do so with an acknowledgement of the dangers involved, but that does not dissipate my fear for them that they may not come back and even if they do they will be changed in ways that they cannot today imagine. I anguish over the cost that is being paid by not only the soldiers but also by their families and friends.

So on the occasion of Noah’s birthday I say a prayer for all those soldiers that have been lost, for all the families who will never be the same again, for all the soldiers who survived but not without wounds (seen and unseen), and for all the soldiers still out there serving their country with a level of bravery that is unmatched by the common man. I also pray for global leaders that can resolve conflict without constantly putting troops in harm’s way. In this day and age we must be able to do better.

I encourage all veterans and families and friends of veterans to visit http://communityofveterans.org/.

Day twelve of the new forty – obla di obla da

CC