In Gratitude to Our Troops

In Gratitude to Our Troops.

By R.J. Godlewski

While Democrats flew in multimillion dollar business jets to debate about who gets to declare surrender first, our brave men and women within the military fight for their freedom from tents, enclaves, and market streets throughout Baghdad and the rest of Iraq. While Americans back here at home reflect upon how ‘inconvenient’ the war has become, our brave men and women within the military fight for their freedom by conveniently “taking the bullet” that would drop lesser citizens. And while we anticipate on what our duties will be this weekend, whether we’ll take in a sporting event or mow the lawn, our brave men and women within the military do their duty to ensure that the rest of us can forego worrying about such matters as death, destruction, and national security.

I, myself, don’t want to enjoy anything this weekend without taking the time here and now to send along my sincerest appreciation for our troops and their mission. I’ve been on the peacetime end of military service and if it was difficult then… Well, I cannot possibly, from my limited exposure, understand fully what it is that you’re going through to be able to finish the foregoing statement. I do know, however, what it is like to be away from your families for months, even years at a time. I know what it is like to work long hours under terrible conditions, in a land as alien to most of us as the moon, and for practically no pay. I hope, therefore, that you will accept my simple ‘Thanks!’ for all that you’ve done and continue to do on behalf of us Americans back home here in the land of the great luxury – personal freedom to do pretty much as we please.

Uncharacteristic of me, perhaps, I will not politicize this article as much as I would normally do. Our military deserves far better than that. I will merely state that I, too, follow the news and I know that you guys aren’t losing the war in Iraq, or even Afghanistan for that matter. When you continually outscore your opponent, it is virtually impossible to lose. Eventually, you’ll come home triumphant, loved by all, and letting us all know what it was like to defend our freedoms under such terrible conditions.

I may not be at your particular airport when you do come home victorious, but please know that my heart and my prayers are with you. I truly appreciate everything that you’ve done and are doing to give me a chance to do what it is that I enjoy doing. I left active duty twenty-two years ago and parted with the Reserves fourteen years ago. However, I’ve found that one never really leaves the military service. It becomes part of your soul no matter how many years have passed. You realize that even though you are no longer surrounded by the military ‘family’, you are indeed always a member of this community in heart and mind if not body.

So as I leave to do whatever I choose to enjoy the comforts and luxuries that this great nation has to offer, the first thing that I want – nay, need – to do is to express my gratitude for everything that you do. Perhaps some kind people will forward these words along to you on my behalf. Without the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, as well as their various Reserve and National Guard components, my life would be very rough indeed. We are free today because you have given up your freedom to serve us. Thank you and God bless you all!

R.J. Godlewski, 27 April 2007