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Thanksgiving
By Charlie
Tomorrow is the first of many holidays I’m spending forward deployed. So while the folks back in the states worry about turkeys and what they’re going to buy this Friday, I’m just going to work.
Yeah, there is always an attempt to make the place look like people are somehow celebrating or observing some sort of festivity –but you can only put so much lipstick on a pig. An army chow hall with a couple pictures of a turkey and some pilgrims in it is still an army chow hall.
So I’m watching a DVD with my roommates, and hitting the weight room, and waiting for the January semester to start so I can take some classes online. I try to talk to my girlfriend every night on Skype, but the time difference is tough. We’re both talking when one of us is dead tired.
For those who have never deployed, I believe the burden falls heavier on the soldiers’ family members than it does on the soldier. I volunteered to deploy, my family (and girlfriend) certainly didn’t volunteer me. That burden, in turn, weighs heavier on the soldier, who realizes that the litany of small problems at home that could be easily handled if he were only there are causing undue stress to loved ones left at home.
For me, deployment is a comfortable disconnection from the reality of life. Everything is simpler in the Army world. You wear the same uniform, eat at the same place, do the same job, and live with the same people all day, every day. Thanksgiving is just another day, another report filed, and another small victory when everyone comes back in the wire safe.
Lest I get you down during this festive season, I remain thankful. I’m thankful for my great country. As I’ve said before, when this deployment ends, I’ll get to go home. The people here won’t, and so it is my job to keep them safe while I’m here.
I’m thankful that despite the burdens, strains, and pain caused by disconnection with family and loved ones, I am surrounded by motivated, professional soldiers. It’s better than being stuck in some third-world backwater with a bunch of draftees (shudder).
That being said, Happy Thanksgiving from the OPFOR command post (forward), folks!
Let me know how that non-KBR chow is!
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Comments
The chowhall never changes the people beside you will never change and I honestly think the american people will never change in our respect for all you do and believe.
Happy Thanksgiving to you Charlie, and to all the citizen-soldiers in your very famous battalion. You'll be celebrating in high style next year! jpp 89
Charlie, a happy and safe Thanksgiving. I've spent two Thanksgivings and Christmases deployed. They suck, but at the same time it's a special mark of pride that I have... just one more thing civilians will never experience what veterans have.
Stay safe, brother.
Keep fighting the good fight. You are not forgotten. Happy Thanksgiving.
The most gratifying Thanksgiving I ever spent was in Taji Iraq. If your going to be thousands of miles away from family on Thanksgiving, there is no better way to spend it then with a few of America's Finest. God bless.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Ben 79
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Wow. Great post. You and your brothers are in my thoughts this Thanksgiving and never far other days. In my time of service, I never was in the field longer than a month and no combat tour. That was also harder on momma. I am so thankful for men and women doing as you have done. We've unofficially adopted a former classmate of my sons who has little family left alive and is in Basic now. He will never want for gear or attention from back home.
I hope you and those around you know how much you are loved and appreciated.