What's Goin' On?

I have been stunned by two events that are in the news right now.  These are serious subjects and I can't believe how little we have learned to get to this point.

The first was the American soldier gunning down 16 people, 9 of which were children  (The others were women) a couple of weeks ago, in Afghanistan.  This man served 3 tours in Iraq; had suffered a head injury and lost part of one foot.  He had been promised he would not be deployed again.  He was.  He had spent some time drinking with fellow soldiers before he walked out of camp, fully armed.  Alcohol is illegal in Muslim countries.  Why was it there?  I'm smart enough to know that anything banned is black marketed as soon as you can snap your fingers.... and we've been  there for  a decade now.  So, I'm not really surprised it's there. 

I don't doubt he shouldn't have been deployed.  This is a very troubled individual for sure.  Life, as he knew it, is over.  It is also over for his family.   It absolutely destroyed many Afghan families. 

This followed the burning of many Korans in Bagram Air Base a few weeks before.  I believe our soldiers did not realize what the books were.    This is what I choose to believe.  Maybe I am naive.  That started riots in the streets and attacks on our forces, putting them in more danger than usual.

Now this.    Our troops have been ordered out of the cities (humble as they are) and back to the bases.  I say.... get out.   The time has come to bring our men and women home.

I can't believe we are in the same position we were in, during the 1970s when Marvin sang this song.

The other news story that has me hanging my head. is the down right murder of  17 year old Trayvon Martin by "Neighborhood Watch"  member George Zimmerman.    Zimmerman was told by the 911 operator to stop pursuing the teen.  He did not.  Trayvon was carrying a can of iced tea and a bag of Skittles.  Zimmerman was carry a revolver and shot the defenseless teen.  The boy can be heard crying for help on the 911 tape before you then hear the sound of a shot being fired.  It rips out my heart.  I cannot even begin to comprehend how his parents feel.

Leave it Marvin Gaye to ask the question we all are wondering. 

 ( I'm also wondering about the guy in that green suit behind Marvin.  Some things from the 70s should not come back in style!)

Thank You Spouses of Our Military

My DVR has become a good friend.  I just watched Lisa Ling's "Our America" on OWN.  This program was about our returning servicemen/woman ( I will say say men from now on and wives, because that is what the biggest percent is.  I do know our female soldiers are just as affected.)  from various war fronts, affected by PTSD.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder   This was a one week program to reach these men at their core.  To give them some tools to release their demons.  To teach these couples how to be partners again.

Veteran's Day is Friday.  More and more I think about the families of these soldiers.

                                                                    
                                                                         From Google...
                                                                                                
I learned that  18  ( I think that was the number)  veterans/soldiers commit suicide everyday.   Everyday!  We have lost more returning soldiers to suicide than in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan together.  This breaks my heart.

I wanted to say Thank You for your service  to the spouses of these soldiers and Marines.  ( Marines do not call themselves soldiers.  They are Marines.  They are also never a "former" Marine.  Once a Marine, always a Marine.   Can you tell I live in a Marine town?)   So when I say soldiers, yes my Marine friends, I know who you are.

We know so much more than we did years ago when the soldiers of my generation were returning from Vietnam. These men are still feeling the affects of their war. That's not even getting into the politics they faced coming home from a war most were drafted into entering.   Our military today volunteered to put themselves in harm's way.  Their spouses volunteered to support them. How selfless is that?    The result is still the same.  These soldiers experienced sights, did things, and felt things, that even with the best of training, years later, they are still trying to digest.

                                                                
                                                    Vietnam Memorial close to "The Wall"


I heard one wife explain it so well.  She said the wives were in the "kill zone", of the fallout, of their husband's experiences.   At best, their loved one came home well, and does not suffer from PTSD. While their husbands were deployed, these women have been the Mother and the Father,  the disciplinarian, the chauffeur, the accountant, and in most cases, held down a job of their own, as well.   They have lived in two completely different worlds for 6 months, 9 months, or a year.  Becoming a couple again can be difficult, if both are used to giving the orders and having them carried out.  One soldier told his wife "You are as much of a soldier as I was."  Isn't that true? 


My heart, my respect and my gratitude belongs with these men and women.  They have both serviced and are still serving this country.