The Soldier Boy

Subject: The Soldier Boy
From: Amergin
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 02:32 AM

The Soldier Boy

He stands there at attention in the small gymnasium, green
camouflage trousers tucked into his shining black boots. His
black beret covering his freshly shaven head. He stands at
attention, preparing himself to leave his home, his family, his
friends, all he has ever known to fight in a desert thousands of
miles away. He prepares himself, searches his heart and soul
for the courage he must bear, finding solace and shelter from
fear with those he loves and his god. The governor stands at
the podium exalting the 31 young men, the 31 husbands, fathers,
sons and brothers, exalting them with the lies of the war,
telling them how good it was they were going to defend the flag,
God, and the American way of life, assuring them they were not
going to fight and die for the black gold already paid for in
the blood of hundreds of American children. He doesn't think of
the blood spilling on the sands of Iraq. He doesn't think of
his countrymen returning home with missing limbs, eyes, or half
insane. He doesn't think of the thousands of Iraqis lying
drowing in their blood, children missing their parents, parents
crying for their children. He thinks nothing of these things.
He doesn't believe they will happen to him, not really. He
knows in his mind that they happen and could happen to him, but
not in his heart, where it really matters. He knows he can
always find solace for his own nightmares in his god, so he is
not worried. His family looking on, listening to the political
benediction is petrified, worried he will come home changed,
mentally or physically, worried he won't come home at all.

The governor finishes and walks out the door, without once
looking back at the soldiers, without giving them another
thought. They are dismissed and they congregate back with their
loved ones, who hug them and kiss them, and shed tears on their
shoulders. The military priest goes from family to family
spreading the word of god, offering them words of comfort and
telling the soldiers how brave they are to volunteer in their
nations hour of need. Hipocracy is rampant in that small
gymnasium in the center of the National Guard Armoury.

One of his comrades come up to the group, as pictures are taken,
flashes are go off in blinding light of proud sadness. We take
pictures of hims comrade, his friend, just a boy himself, also
going to Iraq. His family is not there, they could not be
bothered to take the two hour drive to say goodbye to their son,
whom they may never see again. His face lights up with his rare
smiles as the flashes momentarily blind his eyes as we treat him
as one of our own, and caution him to be safe as well. We open
our wounded hearts to him, in a way his family never has.

I shake his hand and bid him goodbye, and hold my brother in one
last hug, whispering softly into his ear, that he had better
come home, all 31 one of these men must come home, these
children, these boy soldiers, may their god or gods shine them
the way home safe from enemy bullets, bombs and lying
politicians, safe even from their own desires, their own
yearnings for adventure. We must bring them home NOW!

nathan tompkins

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 02:41 AM

Stunning...may he return safely and well. So may they all.

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: artbrooks
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 08:54 AM

Knock wood.

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 29 Aug 04 - 10:36 AM

Well said

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: GUEST,Clint Keller
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 02:52 AM

Well written, and a terrible thing to be happening.

clint

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: Sorcha
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 12:07 PM

Saw a sign/poster yesterday.....SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! BRING THEM HOME!

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: Irish sergeant
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 04:22 PM

Agreed. God keep them and bring everyone of them home safelt to friends and loved ones. Neil

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: robomatic
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 07:19 PM

self righteous tripe.

May they come home safe, in spite of those who belittle their motives, their intelligence and the importance of their mission.

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: GUEST,amergin
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 08:31 PM

Sorry, robomatic...I do not recall seeing you there.

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: GUEST,amergin
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 08:31 PM

and to everyone else thank you.

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: mack/misophist
Date: 30 Aug 04 - 10:54 PM

robomatic has a right to his opinions. And no right ro assign them to every one serving in Iraq.

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Sep 04 - 01:07 PM

Subject: RE: The Soldier Boy
From: Amergin
Date: 21 May 09 - 05:11 AM

Friday he leaves for Georgia..to be trained for his second tour...He is married now....on one hand doesn't want to go...on the other he needs the money....god damn that lying son of a bitch we elected last fall.