My Heart on the Line

[Guest guest]

Hey Deb,

 

> > As the storm clouds of war gather, at least I know that I can look

> > the men and women in uniform in the eye.

>

> When I think of the war we may face, it brings up many emotions I've

> kept buried for so long. I lost my first husband in Viet Nam, May

> 14, 1971. I was 18... he was 19......just a kid, now that I look at

> my own 19 yr old son.

 

Its not an easy thing .. I well understand that. War is cruelty and

there is no way to refine it. I was there in May 1971 .. and though I

probably didn't know your husband, I mourn him as I do all the other

young people who gave their all. I've been to the Wall in Washington,

D.C., many times .. and I've never been able to avoid breaking down and

crying like a baby.

 

Old men declare war and young men die for those decisions. But there is

no real solution to this problem right now. We can posture for peace

and hope for peace .. but as long as there is a thing called evil in the

world its doubtful that we'll go too long without some form of warfare.

 

We are creatures of conflict .. have been since before recorded history.

Though there are no good wars .. there are necessary wars. We can say

that the jostling for control that went on for centuries in Europe was

all unnecessary. But we can't say that American involvement in World

Wars I and II .. and even Korea .. was unnecessary involvement. We can

say that the Vietnam War was unnecessary .. but at the time, those of us

who went were not in a position to vote unless we did so with our feet.

 

We can say that involvement in the Balkans saved many people from being

sacrificed to evil .. same with Afghanistan .. and I think we can say

the same thing for involvement in Iraq. It is possible that a war in

Iraq might be avoided .. if Saddam's staff takes him out. If that does

not happen, there is no chance that those volunteer members of the Bush

lead coalition will not force Saddam out of power and put an end to the

threats his regime holds over the countries surrounding Iraq, and to the

people of Iraq .. and to the people of the west because Saddam continues

to support international terrorism .. as does the Saudi government.

 

I was fortunate to have made it through multiple tours of duty in the

'Nam .. and at the time, the thought of dieing was not something foreign

to me .. or to all the other troops I knew there. And regardless of how

the historians write their accounts of that war, I believe .. with all

my heart and soul .. that those who gave their all did so with honor and

we who knew them will never forget their sacrifices.

 

> Debbie King

> http://www.cottagehillsoaps.com

> 'So Naturally Good for Your Skin'

 

Y'all keep smiling, Butch