almost hard to believe that it's been a week since i last posted. so slightly in my defense, all non military outgoing message traffic (internet, phone, email, etc...) had been put on hold for almost 48 hours and was just started up again late last night. unfortunately, that happens every time there's a death or tragedy on the base until family back home are notified. that and the flares that were going off just south of the nearby lake indicating operations were being conducted are sobering reminders that no matter how slow and easy things may be on a daily basis, we are still at war in a country that may or may not want us here and against an enemy that definitely wants us out.
i take care of some of the guys from 3 army units here and you prolly all know now that all deployed army units have been extended for 3 months, from 1 year to 15 months. and i think i have it bad? not even close. 1 guy said that 80% of his squad is here on stop-loss, another, 50%. these are young men and women who are supposed to be getting out and they're being involuntarily extended. how's that for a morale booster? being here and seeing what we do and our missions...they make sense. but seeing what's on the news and in the press and hearing about funding cuts in areas like health care and research and you start to wonder.
luckily, my job is easy and there's no questioning involved. i take care of these kids (and most really are just kids) and i try to do it to the best of my limited ability. i think about what i did at their ages and realize how privileged i have been. while i was partying in college and galavanting across europe, these guys are living in the desert. and we actually have it pretty good. scary!
3 comments:
Huy, I think you are helping the rest of us back in the States really understand the lives of these soldiers. It is easy to look at this war in the broad sense of politics and money. But we all have to remember that there are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, husbands and wives over there. You are doing a tremendous job of taking care of those soldiers and marines. Keep up the good work, and we all look forward to seeing you home.
On a lighter note Huy, I got a new job! No longer going to be working with the boss from hell. I am going to be the new Compliance Coordinator for EVMS. I will be auditing all the clinical and animal protocols. Very good career move, and a nice little paycheck! :)
Miss you! Jen
While I am in a posting mood...
Now that you have settled in a bit. Is there anything you need? Anything we can send that would bring the comforts of home to you? What about for the guys working for you? I want to put together and package soon.
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