hand_of_skatan

I'm not sure where to even start with this one. I know saying "that just changed my life" would be kind of clich, but today is a day I'll not soon forget. Today, I watched a man die. Today, I watched a man come to life. I saw a man lose his pulse, lose his breath, lose his life. And because of the actions of a few very good people that man is alive again. People who I've flown with and worked with, joked with and complained with brought this man back to life.

This mission is not an easy one. I don't like watching men and women in pain. It hurts to think that I've done my small part to help put these men and women in jeopardy. But I'm compelled to give back. Even what little I can do to help in the recovery of these soldiers is something, right? Bringing home a son, a daughter, brother, sister, husband, father, wife, mother, it still counts, no? Today I watched my friends save a life, and in a tiny way, I helped to save that life. I didn't do much, and what I did do could have been done by others. Regardless a man is alive still because of the work of few.

Though he is alive I am still left with a heavy heart. How many more are there that don't have a team of nurses at the ready? Who has needed help and hasn't gotten it? These are the questions that keep me torn. It's these questions that make me want to bring home every last man and woman we have abroad. These are also the questions that make me want more personnel here to take care of the sick and the wounded. If we can't bring them home for good then I'm sure as hell going to do everything I can to not bring them home draped in a flag.

I know most people who read this don't agree with the "war". And neither do I for the most part. But I don't disagree with the people that wear our flag on their uniform. Today reaffirmed why I continue to do what I do. These soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen need to come home. Whether healthy, sick, wounded, or flag draped, they all need to come home. They deserve more than just a homecoming but if that is the least that we can give them, I'll be here to see it through.