Although I am feeling blessed, I am also experiencing a see-saw of emotions. I am a bit saddened tonight because the mercury is plummeting again and my thoughts revolve around the poor Afghan children who are sitting on dirt or cold concrete floors. They are huddled together around a wood burning stove or wrapped in a blanket in attempt to stay warm and survive the night. I am encouraged knowing the thousand blankets we handed out recently will provide some additional warmth and comfort. But I find myself angered at the corrupt Afghan government ministers and officials who continuously siphon off foreign aid intended to better this country. Even now as I write this entry, 15 of the current and former ministers are under investigation for corruption, President Karzai refuses to sign their arrest warrants and revoke their special immunity so they can be arrested and tried in a special court.
I also think about the hundreds of family members who have lost a military member in this war. Their chairs at their dinner tables are empty for a different reason. These brave men and women had their life taken while fighting in defense for the freedom of Afghanistan and our country. My thoughts and prayers go out to these families as they try to mend together their lives that have been forever changed. I also think about my military brothers who have suffered an injury in this war. Some of these injuries are not visibly apparent either and disguised as PTSD. I pray that God will comfort them on their road to recovery. Union General William Tecumseh Sherman once said “War is hell” and today is no different.
Tomorrow will be another day and while many will look forward to the weekend football games or shopping excursions, know that the security of our country there and abroad rest with the all-volunteer force who serve our great and proud nation. Happy Thanksgiving to my wife Liisa, my family in Pennsylvania and to America. We are so blessed, lest we never forget that.
Thanks, Sarge…….you said it all!