My husband, Eddie, was stationed in Iraq from September 2004 to March 2005 with the Mike Battery Marines from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Everyone has a different opinion about everything, especially our troops in Iraq. I have two thoughts influenced by my husbands time oversees. One is if we did not send our troops to Iraq then we would have more terrorist attacks in the United States. A good analogy is to think of when a child has friends over, where is the mess? Although I missed my husband when he was serving our country, I know Americans can go, and come as they please. We have not been evacuated from our homes due to violence like in Falluja, Iraq. We are not afraid of being in a suicide bombing while traveling to school or work. The second opinion I have attained is that if we pull our troops out now then those who have died in the line of duty would have died in vain. I cannot comprehend the discussion about should our troops be oversees or not. Have we already forgotten about the families that will be forever changed due to September 11, 2001? I know that I am guilty of forgetting about how worried I was when my husband was protecting our country. If you know a military family don't just say kind words to be friendly. Take time to show that you care. I promise they can tell you exactly how long it has been since they have seen or spoke to their military member in days, hours, and minutes. I was so use to counting weeks until I was going to see my husband that I couldn't help count the weeks after he came home. My family and friends were great about helping me get out of the house, with my daughter, and keeping up our home. Days when my husband is driving me crazy, I think of how anxious I felt as I waited for him to arrive back in Chattanooga, as I watched for him as the Mike Battery Marines marched in, and how I followed him around for weeks. I look at him and the world different now. I know that I love him with all my heart, and I am proud to be an American. When you speak with a military personal, or their family, not only thank them for what they have done, but also what they are prepared to do.
By Michelle Spradlin
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This blog was beautifully written and I whole-heartedly see the validity of your two points. Thanks for sharing with us.