Thank You!

Today is Veteran's Day.  It's an important day to me.  Not because I am a Veteran, but because some of my favorite people were and are.

I've been to Iraq.  It's not a place I want to return anytime soon (though I am glad for the experience).  My husband went to Iraq twice and is in Afghanistan now.  My old Soldiers are in Iraq.  I have close friends who are in both conflicts currently.  One of the men I respect most in the world is a Vietnam Veteran. 

I think that everyone should know that, while deployed, Soldiers - and government contractors, American men and women, live in trailers (if they are lucky) and tents.  They eat meals ready to eat (food in plastic bags that are often eaten cold) or mass produced food in large fly infested cafeterias.  At times, they are shot at with many types of guns, rockets, and mortars.  Sometimes, they are struck by improvised explosive devices.  They are kept away from their families, the people they love the most in the world, for months to a year - or over.  Internet communication is limited, if it exists at all.  Sometimes, there is no access to phones.  Sometimes, on the worst of days, you lose a friend.  Then, after a short visit home, a kiss to a loved one, a trip to the mall and the movies, the Soldier's country asks her to go and do it all over again.

The other day, my Mom told me that most people that she works with have no idea what it is like for the deployed Soldier.  I can understand that.  I can understand being removed, not realizing, not knowing someone personally and so not feeling invested.  What I cannot understand is what she said next.  She said most of them don't care to know.  Not care?!  I must admit that, at this, I found myself fighting back tears.  Not care?!

I know I do not know the people my Mom was talking about but I most certainly do know the people they don't care about.  I took it personally because these people, if they die, they are not a number to me, they are not a coffin draped in a flag.  These people, to me, are: husband, father, best friend, brother, sister.  They are mothers and fathers of beautiful young babies.  They are extraordinary people with bright futures and big dreams.  I don't expect thanks.  I do ask, please, for a little respect.  Please, these people mean the world to me.  Care.

On the lighter side of Veteran's Day, thank you Chilis for my delicious and free salad!