… .. faded from the headlines—from the hearts and minds of many Americans occupied with pressing problems in Haiti and closer to home.
For other Americans it’s still far but not forgotten. Never for an instant can they forget the people they love, separated by continents and conflicts far from home….held close to their hearts.
Today I said goodbye to our soldier. After a short visit home he’s begun his long trip back to a place I will never see, on the other side of the world in the middle of a desert.
Right now he’s on a plane or walking through an airport. If you’re traveling someplace, you might see him, my son-in-law. He’s any soldier. He’s every soldier— somebody’s son or daughter, brother or sister, father or mother. He’s somebody’s friend.
How easy it is for most of us at home to forget. Sometimes I forget. That all of us can only be safe if some of us are willing to sacrifice.
They consider that a duty and an honor. Our duty is to honor that….and not to forget them.
They never forget us.
Debi Drecksler says
G-d bless your son-in-law. I will keep him in my prayers. Please tell him that we appreciate his service to our country!
p.s. Great Column!!
Darryle Pollack says
Thank u Debi–I will be sure he knows and know he’ll appreciate your words. And I do, too.
Bob Beers says
Your words today really moved me as I think forgetting is what we do because to always remember others’ duty and sacrifice is not what we want to do today. It is too uncomfortable. It makes me revisit choosing in my life all to frequently the softer, easier way. I see ‘the boys’ as they are called in England affectionately, at trains stations, with their girlfriends shopping in town, shipping out at an airports in their field uniforms heading for Afghanistan.
And then the radio goes on the morning and the lead story is about fresh fighting in Helmand province which is where 10,000 Bri’tish soldiers are stationed and I remember some peach-fuzzed kids face I saw a week ago kissing his girlfriend good bye. I will add your son-in-law to my reasons to remember.
Manuel Alvarez says
Freedom is not free. This liberty we have today, unfortunately has cost many lives. Sometime our efforts has not been taken into account. I remember two years ago in Paris and sorrounded little towns,signs that say: this town was liberated by french troops on this date. The boulevards leading to the Arc of triumph were full of french flags, and pictures of prisioners embracing the french forces. But not a single mention to the English Canadian and American who died on the sands of Chesburg, Le Havre and others. How many Frenchs forces really were, besides the tanks forces of General Lecrerec?. Fellow workers at WTVJ who took part on the invasion told me many years ago,that after they do the fighting the french troops parade in these towns, leaving the real fighters anonimus.I could not find any french soldier cementery anywhere.
US as a big and powerful nation always say here we are, our soldiers have fight and died in every continent and this nation NEVER has kept any territories, actually we helped to re establish these nations back to their feet.
That is what make our country GREAT and our soldiers the spirit of a true democracy. God Save our soldiers.
Very good article Darryle as always, I am not surprised any more, you are an excelent writer. Well Bob, is a master.
Julie C. Simon says
We finally heard from Josh last night after almost a month with no communication. A good friend of his was killed Wednesday –stepped on an IED. I was really upset, as is Josh, but hearing his voice calmed me down. Did Shane go back to Iraq or is he in the same hell-hole as my son?
Darryle Pollack says
Shane is in IRaq and this tour he says there are very few casualties. I think of you all the time, Julie as an example of what military families have to bear, every single day—the wondering, uncertainty, fear—-no communication for weeks, and then such distressing news–really puts into perspective the realities of war for those who shoulder the burden for the rest of us.
Darryle Pollack says
Thank u for your words and giving a British spin to this, I think lots of Americans, including me, often forget the Brits are over there too.
Darryle Pollack says
Thank you Manny–like Bob gives the view from England, I really enjoy hearing feelings from someone who came here–who has learned and developed so much appreciation of the freedoms we have (and our history). Your love for the US comes thru in every single word, and it’s wonderful. Thank you so much, Manny, for sharing your thoughts and experiences and wisdom.