TRCNAK - Continuing the Fight

I saw "Da Hug" two more times. I guess the dust storm can cause it. None of the convoys are moving and these troops are stuck in their areas. You can't go out in it too much because you'll get the Kuwaiti Krud. So, the troops get a touch of cabin fever. The first sighting was an officer complaining about sleeping quarters, and a huge enlisted dude hugged him. The officer was done. He never had a chance.

I don't know if the second one counts. An Army troop complained about the chow. Now, I have to tell you that food is the one thing you cannot complain about. It is awesome. The soldier was complaining on purpose because he was bored. Before the sailor could get around the table, the soldier shot through the mess hall like a rabbit.

The big sailor never could catch him, so he came sauntering back to the group with his chest puffed out and a look on his face that said "Who wants some?" He sat down and pouted "Nobody loves me. I'm going to go lay on my rack for awhile." The female sailor that had got "Da Hug" a couple of days ago started laughing so hard it became infectious at the table. I started laughing too.

Lifting Weights is the camp hobby. Everyone, men and women alike, look like they could bench press a hummer. They all communicate with tiny phones and the common answer is "Oh, I'll call him. He's down at the gym." So if they aren't working their 16 hour shift, they are sleeping, eating or working out. Very rarely, they will break it up with seeing one of the free movies.

J. is from Ohio. He's an officer in the Navy and only has about 4 years left before retirement. We were talking about things over some really good food. He said he was going back to the States in August. We talked about his family. You can tell by the way he speaks softly of them that he misses them very much. Then he said, "I'm going to spend some time with my wife and daughter. Then, I'm going to sign up for Iraq or Afghanistan."

I just sat there for a moment. After a couple of seconds, I could only respond with "Why?" I can't quote him directly because it was full of jargon, but the gist of his response was, "I didn't join the military to sit in the rear with the gear."

He's here, away from the ones he loves. His daughter is growing up sending him e-mails because he can't be with her. And, he talks about "continuing the fight." Yeah, he'll take a break: and then jump right back in. I ask you readers out there, "Where do we get such men and women?" Never: Not even once: Not even in joking: did I hear anything about quitting. I thank God that we have such Americans.

"Out Here"
TRCNAK