We didn't go to the Wolfhound Ball this year but rumor had it that a big physical memorial that the guys had in Iraq was being brought in for the ball. We lost a lot of people and that fact is never far from anyone's mind around here, so it seems kind of...depressing...to me (and to the Soldiers who were discussing it at the "mandatory fun" BBQ this past week) that they would put something like that up at the ball.

Sounds like you had an interesting and productive night.

Good on the person who did the 100% donation.

War sucks.

We lost a lot of people and that fact is never far from anyone's mind around here, so it seems kind of...depressing...to me (and to the Soldiers who were discussing it at the "mandatory fun" BBQ this past week) that they would put something like that up at the ball.

The party was great until the 50/50 drawing.  There had been so many memorial services and so many speeches about Tom that it seemed like everyone was walking around under a black cloud.  For a few hours last night, we managed to escape that.

When he's gone, I dread officers in dress uniform.  I dread the knock at the door.  I know that they don't do that at night; they wait until the next day, but I still dread it.  If something were to happen to him, I know who would be coming to tell me - so if I were ever to see Col E walking up my driveway I think that I'd lock the door and not let him in.   Heh, like my refusing to hear the news would somehow make it NOT have happened.

Not to sound dramatic, but D goes to some pretty risky places; places where there's a threat but there isn't any security there.  His job is to provide security for the crew and the aircraft that goes into those situations; he has to make sure that they get to come home - even if that means jeopardizing his own safety to make that happen.  Sometimes he goes places and I don't even know what country he's in.  I'm getting a taste of what your life is like, Tex, and I don't care for it.  But, this is my job.  I do what I do so that he can do what the mission requires him to do.  Never underestimate the power that you have, Tex.  You are just as important as Adrian is.  All of us spouses are.

And yeah, war does suck.  Bush can fuck right off as far as I'm concerned.  I'd love for him to come and live a year in my shoes.  Perhaps then he's have second thoughts about this war for oil.

We had a sad moment; we had started a 50/50 collection for the family of one of our troops who was killed in Iraq last month.  The person who won it decided to give 100% of the money to the family of the fallen troop

That is just awesome.  I love to hear about people that are that generous and thoughtful, though the reason for their thoughtfulness is truly sad:

Please, take a moment to think about the family of Master Sgt Thomas A. Crowell.  He leaves behind a wife and 2 children - one of whom is only 2 years old and will have to grow up without his daddy.  I cannot even begin to imagine their pain, how difficult this Holiday season must be for them.  Tom doted on his son and would stop what he was doing every day at 11am so he could go home and eat lunch with his boy.  He actually got reprimanded for it...heh.

Yes, these sorts of losses do make me sad and are events that we all should acknowledge and remember.  Hopefully the number of heroes like this who lay down their lives in the call of duty will be a number that dwindles with time as the world becomes a safer place for all.

Hopefully the number of heroes like this who lay down their lives in the call of duty will be a number that dwindles with time as the world becomes a safer place for all.

I have that hope too, but I'm afraid that until the US finds a adequate source for oil, this war will be played out over and over again.  To me, that's all this is.  To all those men and women who come back from this war maimed and hurt and disabled - I'm sorry.  So sorry.  Sorry that they got hurt NOT defending America from her enemies, but defending the price of a gallon of gasoline.

And that's the bottom line.

 

I am so anti-war at the moment, its not funny. And when I hear things like this, is just strengthens my 'anti-ness'. But I do feel for the family and friends of the fallen. They're only doing their job, what they're told to do, without arguement and without question. Its not up to them to question anything, but it is up to us. And damn, are there some curly questions.