Yes, the op tempo seems to have slowed down slightly, battalions, for the most part, are not on as a predictable schedule any longer. But... unless I've lost my mind, which after 3 years of this is entirely possible, there's still quite a few of us either saying or gearing up to say our see you soon's to those faces we love so dearly.
I have been stared at with complete dumbfounded expressions when I mention my Marine is making another trip to the big Ugly place. "Buuuut why? the war is over", is what I'm told with confusion written all over the face of the friend or acquaintance uttering that sentence. Now - what a moment for me, part of me is ready to lash out at the person unfortunate enough to say this to me. Then I remember, I am immersed in this life, I am privy to the comings and goings of units, I am tuned into the reality of what is put out there in the media is not necessarily truly reflecting what is happening. Mostly I remember that a few short years ago I too was clueless to the reality of what was happening and bought in, pretty much hook, line and sinker, to the headlines. I didn't know of this special underpinning of American society known as the military family. That's not to say I was not well read in regard to the news of the day nor was I not well informed.. I just didn't take it further then - wow .. so the war is over great news!3 I think sometimes we forget how nice it was to be a bit ignorant of the realities of the military and how the bold headlines screaming great news, the TV running clips of Army soldiers reunited with their families did not necessarily tell the whole story.
So what do I do when confronted with that maddening phrase - but the war is over? I educated friends, I don't get mad, indignant, insulted or annoyed. I look at is as a teaching moment, a way to inform and pass on the word that NO the war is not over - just the war in Iraq is. I share that the Marines, Sailors,Airmen and Soldiers are still leaving every day to fight in Afghanistan, that that war is going strong, still deadly and still requiring a constant supply of young men and women to support the efforts. I see a lot of posting of people who are getting mad and lashing out at those who are ill informed - so here's a suggestion, save the righteous indignation and use the moment, offer the person not only information but a way to help - tell them about making a donation to Semper Fi Sisters, Hope for the Warriors, Wounded Warrior Foundation, IAVA, Still in the Fight- tell them they can help out a military member by going to anysoldier.com or soldiersangels.com and make a difference in a young man or woman's deployment by showing their support via a care package. You'll feel better for not getting your blood pressure up and, you'll probably find, the person you are talking to will be receptive. We all are so aware of all these organizations but the average person has no idea they even exist. Turn a bad moment into a wonderful opportunity. How great is that?
