(The images below are from my experience in Iraq in 2005.)
(The images above are from my experience in Iraq in 2005.)
I dedicate this post to the soldiers before me, those now, and
to all soldiers and people who put themselves in harm’s way. To my parents, and this is especially for my
brother.
After I got back from Iraq in 2006, as I remember, I use to ask myself why, why didn't I have to
go into combat? Why were my experiences so
different than most? How was I so lucky to live?
These questions seemed to haunt me for about a year or so when
I was at my weakest mentally, which seemed often. I separated myself from others, looking to
give myself a name, make my story big so there was a reason for my
existence.
Now it has been over 4 years, and I am hearing the stories
of soldiers who experienced so much hardship, death, and suffering. My eyes well up with tears thinking of these men
and women who are trying to understand what they experienced. I feel upset that I didn't experience such
thing, for a moment. But then I feel so blessed
for my experiences. I feel honored to
have served.
My brother served in Iraq and continue to serve the U.S. Army, he is so strong. A man who experienced loss, trauma, and a
war he didn't know existed. His story is
one of death and life. He lives, his comrade dies, repeats itself in a lot of
soldiers. The questions arise and we are
left standing here with how to comfort and support things that we have no idea
about.
Hearing his stories didn't come forward for about 2 years after the experiences had taken place. We listened to him, we cried with him, we
stood by him, and we loved him.
His experiences were very traumatic, leaving him with the
questions why not me? Why this guy? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Today he takes the military very personal; it is his way of
life. He is really good at it. We
continue to support him in all he does.
So he will leave for Afghanistan in January and I know one
thing to be true.
We can listen. We can
pray and I can tell him that he is loved.
Listening will always be the key.
Not trying to understand, just being there for him, with so much love.
Camaraderie is not in most jobs, but I experienced it in the
military. It is what hurts so bad when
we lose someone, but it is such a blessing when we need someone as well. I know
my brother will be surrounded by many comrades.
So as I write this, I want to thank everyone who has served,
who is serving, or who will serve.
Thank you,
Liz Bladorn
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