Thoughts and ponderances
Jun. 17th, 2005 10:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
piploverIn two weeks I will be out of the Army. A civillian once more. What an amazing, scary, and thrilling thought. I have learned so many things while in the service, not just about myself, but about the nature of people as well.
I have learned that I can do things I never thought possible, things I was always too afraid or too embarrased to try.
I learned the only limiting factor in my life is myself, and how I go about dealing with problems that arise is all up to me.
I have also learned to take pride in whatever it is that I'm doing, whether it be to pull weeds out of the cracks in the sidewalk for three hours straight, or walk guard duty for eight hours on a cold winter night.
I have worn my uniform proudly for the past three years, and I admit freely that I will miss it. It will be odd to not put on my uniform in the morning, to not have to be at formation first thing after I wake.
I will also miss the sound of Taps being played each night. I remember at Basic, lying in bed and wondering how I could survive one more day, and hearing those notes played outside our windows. How it gave me strength and courage to keep going.
To many people, the people who serve our nation are figure seen on the news, flashes of a face which holds little meaning other than an icon to be proud of. But for me....
My Company is deploying in the next few months. People I know and love and care for are going to be going to Iraq, and I would give almost anything to go with them. Yes, I am happy to be getting out, but at the same time I feel an intense sadness that I won't be there to experiance with them all that they will go through.
I have so many memories of friends and people I have worked with. Memories of five people crammed into a little shelter on a cold Korean night, trying to stay warm and laughing at little things. Of yelling at those same people when I discovered that someone had emptied almost a full can of Mountain Dew into my helmet, and I had to hold it against the heater for an hour and then have sticky hair for a week afterword.
I remember setting up a Christmas tree in my room with my roomate and a friend from my Platoon, and all the fun we had in decorating it.
And I remember walking a well worn path on guard duty with my best friend late into the night, so cold that even wearing five layers of clothing we were both nearly frozen.
I have met so many people, from so many backgrounds. People I never would have met or even associated with before I joined. I have fallen in love with a wonderful man, made friends that I will certainly keep for life, and shared adventures and hardships with people I have barely even met.
It will be very hard for me to leave the service, even though I know its time.
In my heart I honestly believe that everyone should serve their country, whether it be in the service or through volunteer work. This is a great nation that we live in. Despite what your political views may be, despite how you may feel about current events, the fact remains that this country is unique, and everything should be done to keep it strong.
I know, with every fiber of my being, that even though I take my uniform off for the last time in a few weeks, I shall still rise when I hear the National Anthem, shall still salute our flag as it passes, shall still cry when I hear the sound of Taps played at a funeral.
Becuase I have served with wonderful people, and know that I have followed in the footsteps of true heroes.
For myself, and all those who will be going into harms way, please, say a prayer and let them know that they are being thought of. Becuase I can tell you from experiance, when you are far away from home, it is very esay to forget that there are people who give a damn.
I have been privaleged to be part of the largest family in America. And for that, I do not regret one moment, one day, or one drop of blood that I have shed.
My only wish is that I could have done more.
I have learned that I can do things I never thought possible, things I was always too afraid or too embarrased to try.
I learned the only limiting factor in my life is myself, and how I go about dealing with problems that arise is all up to me.
I have also learned to take pride in whatever it is that I'm doing, whether it be to pull weeds out of the cracks in the sidewalk for three hours straight, or walk guard duty for eight hours on a cold winter night.
I have worn my uniform proudly for the past three years, and I admit freely that I will miss it. It will be odd to not put on my uniform in the morning, to not have to be at formation first thing after I wake.
I will also miss the sound of Taps being played each night. I remember at Basic, lying in bed and wondering how I could survive one more day, and hearing those notes played outside our windows. How it gave me strength and courage to keep going.
To many people, the people who serve our nation are figure seen on the news, flashes of a face which holds little meaning other than an icon to be proud of. But for me....
My Company is deploying in the next few months. People I know and love and care for are going to be going to Iraq, and I would give almost anything to go with them. Yes, I am happy to be getting out, but at the same time I feel an intense sadness that I won't be there to experiance with them all that they will go through.
I have so many memories of friends and people I have worked with. Memories of five people crammed into a little shelter on a cold Korean night, trying to stay warm and laughing at little things. Of yelling at those same people when I discovered that someone had emptied almost a full can of Mountain Dew into my helmet, and I had to hold it against the heater for an hour and then have sticky hair for a week afterword.
I remember setting up a Christmas tree in my room with my roomate and a friend from my Platoon, and all the fun we had in decorating it.
And I remember walking a well worn path on guard duty with my best friend late into the night, so cold that even wearing five layers of clothing we were both nearly frozen.
I have met so many people, from so many backgrounds. People I never would have met or even associated with before I joined. I have fallen in love with a wonderful man, made friends that I will certainly keep for life, and shared adventures and hardships with people I have barely even met.
It will be very hard for me to leave the service, even though I know its time.
In my heart I honestly believe that everyone should serve their country, whether it be in the service or through volunteer work. This is a great nation that we live in. Despite what your political views may be, despite how you may feel about current events, the fact remains that this country is unique, and everything should be done to keep it strong.
I know, with every fiber of my being, that even though I take my uniform off for the last time in a few weeks, I shall still rise when I hear the National Anthem, shall still salute our flag as it passes, shall still cry when I hear the sound of Taps played at a funeral.
Becuase I have served with wonderful people, and know that I have followed in the footsteps of true heroes.
For myself, and all those who will be going into harms way, please, say a prayer and let them know that they are being thought of. Becuase I can tell you from experiance, when you are far away from home, it is very esay to forget that there are people who give a damn.
I have been privaleged to be part of the largest family in America. And for that, I do not regret one moment, one day, or one drop of blood that I have shed.
My only wish is that I could have done more.
