Monday, August 2, 2010

Something I Heard

Part of the problem with deployments, is that there is a lot of sitting around and waiting.  There's only so many times you can say "I love you" or "I'll miss you", and you spend a lot of time sitting there not having to say a word.  At this point, I can rest my head on Gunner's shoulder, he'll put his arm around me, and we both understand.

At one point I needed to get out of the stuffy company, so I went outside where I found a Soldier talking to his buddy and his buddy's wife.  The Soldier was telling his buddy that he just didn't have any words left to say to his family, and that while they kept calling, he kept blowing them off.  Probably hard for his family, but I can understand that.

Anyway, after the Soldier's buddy and his wife went back inside the company, the Soldier got on his cell phone and called his mom.  I couldn't help but listen into the conversation, okay, so I was eavesdropping on this 21 year old kid that was about to head out.

Soldier:  Hey Mom, sorry I don't call, I just don't have anything to say.

More chit chat between mom and son.

Soldier:  I was just talking to my best friend and his wife.  He's got it hard Mom, he's got a wife and a baby and she has two other kids from a previous marriage.  He's got a family, and he has to leave them.  I know you don't want to hear this mom, but my job over there is to make sure that he comes back to his family.

Soldier:  I'd do anything mom, anything to make sure he comes home.  I don't have kids, my job is to keep him safe.

At this point I had to leave before I started sobbing.  This kid is 21 years old and is more worried about making sure his buddy comes home than himself.  You can't get much more selfless than that.

When you enter post, there is the Soldier's Creed.  The kids like to read it while we drive by.  Last night I saw yet another man, that lived by it.


I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.

23 comments:

hmb said...

I bet he is an excellent soldier :)

Anonymous said...

We lost so many in our unit during this past deployment, so things like this just make me cry.

Jessica said...

Wow, what an amazing soldier. My husband said essentially the same thing to me when he deployed.

Megan said...

Totally got the tears flowing.

Thinking of you and your family and hoping the deployment gremlins are kept at bay.

Vintage Love & Photographs said...

An attitude like that is what makes an awesome Soldier.

"Gypsy at Heart" said...

We were talking about "loads." Your 12 year old daughter was proudly recounting the weight of the pack her dad has to carry, "plus the gun, ammo, kevlar, and all, and he still will stop and carry another wounded soldier to safety." She totally gets it! Why don't some adults.

Ashley said...

Role Model Soldier at such a young age!!

Kara said...

I just teared up reading that. He is what are military needs! My husband always thought the same thing. He hasn't deployed yet since having a family. He was always more worried about his marines than himself. I almost think the next deployment he will feel the same way, but understand it so much more since he has his own family.

Unknown said...

This is heart wrenching.

Jhona O. said...

Thank you for sharing this! What an awesome young man. What a magnificient soldier! I think it's neat how we hear these things right when our hearts need them. I need to go grab my kleenex now...

Old Cowboy Dan said...

God love that kid and all of the rest of them. Once you understand the Army way, you will carry and live by it throughout your life!

Old Cowboy Dan said...

God love that kid and all of the rest of them. Once you understand the Army way, you will carry and live by it throughout your life!

lola said...

Wow. That is just incredible.

One of our buddies switched places with another soldier in Iraq a few years ago. His buddy was shot by a sniper a few minutes later and he went through (and still does) a similar thought process/guilt trip -- he was single and the other soldier was married with a child.

It is so frustrating though because the way these wars are fought, sometimes the best intentions are all for naught. With that said, it never hurts to be so incredibly selfless. His unit is lucky to have him.

Stephanie Hartman said...

Aw this almost made me cry that was so sweet of that young soldier..

The Mrs. said...

get that soldiers info so we can send him some love! and by love I mean whatever it is he wants!

how are you doing? need anything?

Lisa said...

I got chills reading that. Still have them.

We have some amazing soldiers out there. I wish that people knew that, instead of focusing on the few who aren't.

It's Something Beautiful said...

This totally made me tear up and also brought me back to a place that reminded me of my ex. When him and I were broken up yet still talking, he mentioned to me that he volunteered to go back to Afghanistan and I asked him why he did that. And his response was much like the soldier your talking about. He's a 21 year old Marine that simply wanted to fill the position of a man who had a wife and child. He wanted to protect those with loved ones back home. He was willing to give his life so that another person could spend the rest of theirs with their wife and child. Thats the only time I try to remember about my ex, because I know he isn't emotionally stable and didn't treat me right. He is an amazing Marine though and I think its honorable that someone would die for another persons safety.

www.life-itssomethingbeautiful.blogspot.com

LC said...

oh wow....

ritalvm said...

*tear* my husband just left Carson a week ago as well, we're also from the springs, hoping & praying for their safe return! God bless!

Rhonda said...

This post just chilled me to my core. I just cannot fathom the life of a soldier and all that is endured and sacrifices that are made. Such brave souls! Makes my heart hurt yet beam with pride at the same time.
Rhonda

Anonymous said...

That post is so touching!

RedLegMeg said...

Choking back tears now... wow.

Anonymous said...

Catching up on my google reader and your posts for the month of Aug are just blowing me away! We are heading into our 7th deployment in the next few months and I feel like I'm being prepared by your posts. I love the boys that are so good at their jobs. I also appreciate the wives that "get" it. Great post.