HOME | POLITICS | SPORTS | LIFE | SCI/TECH | OPEDS | HELPFUL TIPS
|
Mar 12, 2004 The corporation I work for deals in government contracts. Many of these contracts are promises between the corporation and the U.S. Military to develop and distribute programs that enable soldiers to do more work against the administrative burdens of soldering. We deal in helping soldiers eliminate redundant paperwork through the development of automation systems and programs. My primary duty for the past 20 months since joining the corporation was the personal instruction of supply sergeants, specialists and officers in the use of the new automated Property Book. A property book is any organization's record of assets to go to war with or equipment that is used to support the maintenance needs of any organization. I have commented on the youth and the enthusiasm of these soldiers before. Our Nation has been blessed with thousands of unselfish individuals who have decided on a life of service to the United States. These individuals are our children; now grown and gaining experience and knowledge that will keep them the rest of their lives. These offspring of ours are volunteers in the war to protect the greatest nation in the world. We should not take for granted that every single one of them is a volunteer. The last generation of conscripts has been out of the service for a few years now. Here I am, a recent retiree, not being able to get the Army out of my system, helping to train this new generation of soldier. I don't believe I was ever that young (but, I was) or enthusiastic (but, yep, that too.) What would cause such nostalgia? The soldiers I trained during the months of January and February of this year have been deployed to Iraq. Hawaii loves its soldiers and every day they have featured a "Postcard" back to their islands of one of the deployed soldiers, and their message to family and friends back home. The "Postcards" appear on the front page of the "Honolulu Advertiser". What has personalized this war for me was the paper's very first "Postcard". There she was, just 20 years old and not 5 feet, 3 inches tall, holding a machinegun almost as large as her, with a smile as broad at the beach at Waikiki is long. One of the young supply specialists that I had instructed was there, standing in the middle of some "tent city" somewhere in the desert of Kuwait, awaiting deployment into Iraq. I knew the face immediately and the printed name was just confirmation. Here was not just some "soldier", but here was someone I had personally met, and for a short while, had interacted with. This was someone I had come to know. By this writing, I am sure that whole division is now deployed with logisticians trained in a discipline I had taught them. The personalization of the conflict against terrorism is now complete. I do have a son who recently joined the Navy. I see his position as relatively safe. He holds many duties and responsibilities, but these are shipboard. When not on the water, he is safely within the confines of the ship's home port. I am very proud of his service. So you see, these are our children, doing unimaginable things in the name of this country's protection. I cannot help but be proud of every person who has determined to put on the uniform of a soldier. We owe every one of them a great debt. Whenever you see a soldier, sailor or airman, thank him or her for their service. Pray for them always. Pray for their safety and their success. Moms and Dads, brothers and sisters of soldiers, always write to your soldier. There is nothing greater for morale than to hear your name yelled during "Mail Call". When your soldier comes home on leave or discharge, don't neglect that big kiss or that hefty handshake. Finally, don't forget to thank God for opening the hearts of these volunteers to our protection. ------------ About the Author: Independent, Conservative, Christian. Married 29 years with 5 children raised and one grandson being raised. 30 year Army Veteran and published poet with www.poetry.com since Y2K. Email Michael John McCrae: michael.mccrae@us.army.mil Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
