Welcome Home!!

A few weeks ago, I posted a blog essay I named Standing Tall, about a young United States Marine I have never met.  A thin connection to my childhood neighbor and his family was and is the link.  For reasons I cannot explain, I remain moved by his story.

Some digression, perhaps intermingled with thoughts from that earlier post.

I still struggle to grasp the volunteer nature of the service these men and women provide to me, my family, you the reader, your family, and our country and society as a whole.  Previous wars and conflicts sometimes involved compulsory draft service.  Yet, we know even in draft situations there were many that volunteered, some even lying about their age to do so (like in World War 2), putting themselves in harm's way so some fat slob like me can type on a laptop in peace and security.  The draft ended years ago, yet, our country still meets recruitment goals and then some...with an active war zone in place.  

In fairness, give credit here to those non military men and women like police and fire fighters compromising their personal safety in public service to us daily.  It is not just our Military.  Very close to my local geography, 2 police officers were recently killed in the line of duty in a very short period of time.  Even a police dog gave the ultimate sacrifice during this period!! 

War zone or protecting a neighborhood, the ultimate sacrifice IS the ultimate sacrifice.

That can never be taken back.

And they volunteer for this?

The wounds and maimings of such service often cannot be taken back either.  At places like Walter Reed, the best healers and researchers continue exploring and implementing ways to heal and provide prosthesis to our many wounded warriors.  The United States Marine I wrote about a few weeks ago is wrapped in the care of such a place.  More so, this Marine is wrapped in the love of his young wife, family, and who knows how many layers of prayer?  (From the postings, it is A LOT of prayer. Me included).

By now if the reader wonders regarding these musings, through the miracle (curse?) of Facebook, I can report this Marine is Home.  From the Facebook post inspiring this blog:

"We have come so far in such a short month. All the doctors are in shock at how fast...is healing and how independent he already is. They call the date of your injury your "Alive Day" around here, and at first I thought that was ridiculous. But one month ago today...fought to stay alive, he fought to come home to me, and he got a second chance at life."

Obviously for reasons of privacy names are removed.  Yet, the story could be generic repetitive of the many volunteer soldiers that avoided the ultimate sacrifice....getting an "ALIVE DAY" to come home, in pieces, like the inspiration for this essay, but, alive and home.

Continue to thank Those that serve us, pray for them, help when you can, by the means you can.  

We civilians can never repay this debt.  But, try!