One Brick Short

The flag-waving’s over and the Patriot Guard Riders have moved on to other welcome-home missions, some less pleasant than that of last week’s return of Alpha Company.

Our troops did well. They did their duty – whether it was out contract or dedication or belief in the cause – and they succeeded.

They performed a vital dangerous function in the Big Sandbox, that of providing security for convoys taking supplies to and from Al Anbar Province. Convoys are a favorite target of terrorists who plot and plan ways and means to disrupt the flow of goods, food and munitions, attack and kill the troops involved and spread, well, terror wherever they can.

Alpha Company endured improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenades, small-arms fire, ambushes and mess hall food. They not only survived, they came home without a fatality, without a combat-related injury.

It’s not as easy as it sounds. Living in a foreign country for a month can change your outlook on life. Living there for nigh unto a year, wondering if and when something around you is going to explode, if and when you might catch shrapnel, lose an arm or leg or your life or if your buddy is going to lose something, really changes your outlook on life.

So, for those of us who stayed home, don’t expect your soldier to come home the same as when he or she left. They’ve seen things. They’ve felt things. They’ve known fear and hope and despair and joy at simple things like coming home alive. They may get nervous in heavy traffic. They may not sleep well. They may feel out of place.

So give them time. Encourage them to talk. Don’t be hurt if they don’t and don’t be aghast if they tell stories that are appalling and frightening, after all, they’ve been in a war zone. Most of all let them know they’re home and we care.

Ever forward Alpha Company: It’s time to relax and enjoy a good cigar and maybe an adult beverage and resume your life.

And be proud: You’ve done something most of us have not, would not or could not.

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.