Nov 6 - Pat

I haven't seen many opinions from within the military, out in the Middle East, that express how individual soldiers feel about their job. Probably because I don't read a lot of war or politically oriented blogs. I stumbled across this article though, by Kevin Tillman, and it's interesting for a couple of reasons.

- His brother died and this is one way he has of remembering.
- He has something to say and what he says can't come easy for him.
- He poses powerful questions and questions generate debate.

I'll pick up on one particular thing:

"Somehow back at home, support for the soldiers meant having a five-year-old kindergartener scribble a picture with crayons and send it overseas, or slapping stickers on cars, or lobbying Congress for an extra pad in a helmet. It’s interesting that a soldier on his third or fourth tour should care about a drawing from a five-year-old; or a faded sticker on a car as his friends die around him; or an extra pad in a helmet, as if it will protect him when an IED throws his vehicle 50 feet into the air as his body comes apart and his skin melts to the seat."

Now as you read this, maybe you will or maybe you won't, receive a slight slap. Whatever you feel, his point is a good one and should be highlighted. There is a gap between the feelings we might have - of support, of opposition, of sympathy, of anger, for soldiers in Iraq and other places - and the feelings they themselves have while in the field. His article helped me remember just what kind of gap that is.