Monday, June 18, 2007

Army/Boy Scout Night at the Ball game

Last Friday night here and probably across the nation was Army/Boy Scout night at the ball game. It was festive like all ball games, the Boy Scouts participated in the flag ceremony. Carrying flags that were bigger then themselves. Out at the entrance the Army had their big black Hummer with the Army gold logos. Plus, had an air filled soldier mascot walking around greeting spectators of the game. Recruiters handed out interest sheets to fill out for a drawing to win an ipod.
The game had everything you expect or want to happen at a baseball game. During inning breaks the normal antics, dizzy lizzy, a dance off.
Between the 7th & 8th it was announced that it was the Army's Birthday and they would be swearing in 10 young adults on the field.
Sitting there watching this, my first feelings were of great pride. After all I grew up and was married in the Army life. Our children we fully expect to join one branch or the other, that was never a second thought.
Yet, as I began looking at all their faces another emotion came flooding over me. Do they have any idea what they are going to see? Or experience? Are they really going to be able to handle what they see or may have to do? These young people are just babies, you could really see it in their faces.
Everything, my husband has told me is now flashing in my mind. The IED's, RPG's, and how they treat their women, children and torture of animals. How is this going to change them, these young adults that have such pride and admiration reflecting in their faces?
As the night continued I just couldn't shake everything that was running through my head. Reports on the news didn't even express a 10th of what really is happening over in Iraq.
The voices of people asking me how I do it, handle my husband being gone for so long. They just can't imagine, most say even a week would drive them over the deep end let alone over 3.5 years. Yep, over 3 years, and I can't see a plausible solution to Iraq. When he left I felt in my heart with great hope that this would be 3-5 years tops and Iraq would be stable. Now, as the visions of these young people keep flashing in my mind, fear and dread come over me. Is our youngest going to have to play a role in this when he is of age. What is the future for our young ones?