A Personal Rant
Jun. 5th, 2005 10:13 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sbyteThis is one person's view, and has absolutely nothing to do with the LOTR fandom. It involves my feelings on the news that my nephew is being sent to Iraq in a few months.
My nephew joined the Air Force last year, as his dream in life has always been to fly a plane. His grandparents raised him and put him through the university on their retirement pay. They could not, however, afford the private flying lessons and plane. That being the case he joined the Air Force where he was put into pilot training. He was thrilled. Life was good. He married and they expect their first child in August.
Then came the graduation from the second phase of pilot training. The families were informed by the commander over the base that most in his class room would see combat within a year. That was a surprise, but after a month or so we sort of put it out of our minds. (most did anyway)
My nephew has now been told that when he completes pilot training this fall, he will have four months here before being sent to Iraq. The baby is due in August. He will have three months with her. His wife quit her job and moved to be near him while he trains. There is nothing that can be done. He signed a contract so has to go.
This has caused a rift in our family. Some support the war and believe that if he is willing to accept pay from the Air Force he must be willing to fight and die in any conflict supported by the President. Others see him as a young man who just wanted to fly a plane and who has never wanted to cause harm to another. Some are almost rabid in their belief that he should fight, while others see the very real spetre of death. His commander informed his class that approximately one third would die or be wounded, and that their families should be proud. I am not.
He will always be my young nephew. Now, I will wave him farewell as he is sent to fight and possibly die. I don't care to hear anyone's political views. I see that my nephew may have months to live. Months. This is not an exageration. There are many who could care less that young men and women are dying. They see the cause as just and the loss of life justifiable. I see death and suffering, and my nephew is about to be one of the casualties. If he is fortunate and returns, his daughter will not know him. At least he will be alive. That is the best case scenario, and I hope for that with all I am.
I will be honest. Had my family not become involved, I would not give that much thought wars/conflicts/police actions or whatever you want to call them. I'd watch the news, talk about what a shame it is, and go on with my life. This gives it weight. It brings it home and makes it real. My nephew is about to be pulled into a conflict and there is absolutely nothing that he can do other than try to stay alive. I wonder how eager those in power would be to see their sons and daughters off to war, knowing that they might never see them again.
A couple of you know my feelings and how deep they run. For the others, this is the light version. This is what has been uppermost in my mind for the past two months. It is what haunts me. Most of the time, writing something and getting it out helps. It doesn't help this time. Nothing will other than to see my nephew return alive and whole.
Once again let me say, I know that there are those who can't stand to hear anyone speak negatively about the war in Iraq or elsewhere. Keep it to yourself. I don't want to hear it. This is NOT a political debate.
My nephew joined the Air Force last year, as his dream in life has always been to fly a plane. His grandparents raised him and put him through the university on their retirement pay. They could not, however, afford the private flying lessons and plane. That being the case he joined the Air Force where he was put into pilot training. He was thrilled. Life was good. He married and they expect their first child in August.
Then came the graduation from the second phase of pilot training. The families were informed by the commander over the base that most in his class room would see combat within a year. That was a surprise, but after a month or so we sort of put it out of our minds. (most did anyway)
My nephew has now been told that when he completes pilot training this fall, he will have four months here before being sent to Iraq. The baby is due in August. He will have three months with her. His wife quit her job and moved to be near him while he trains. There is nothing that can be done. He signed a contract so has to go.
This has caused a rift in our family. Some support the war and believe that if he is willing to accept pay from the Air Force he must be willing to fight and die in any conflict supported by the President. Others see him as a young man who just wanted to fly a plane and who has never wanted to cause harm to another. Some are almost rabid in their belief that he should fight, while others see the very real spetre of death. His commander informed his class that approximately one third would die or be wounded, and that their families should be proud. I am not.
He will always be my young nephew. Now, I will wave him farewell as he is sent to fight and possibly die. I don't care to hear anyone's political views. I see that my nephew may have months to live. Months. This is not an exageration. There are many who could care less that young men and women are dying. They see the cause as just and the loss of life justifiable. I see death and suffering, and my nephew is about to be one of the casualties. If he is fortunate and returns, his daughter will not know him. At least he will be alive. That is the best case scenario, and I hope for that with all I am.
I will be honest. Had my family not become involved, I would not give that much thought wars/conflicts/police actions or whatever you want to call them. I'd watch the news, talk about what a shame it is, and go on with my life. This gives it weight. It brings it home and makes it real. My nephew is about to be pulled into a conflict and there is absolutely nothing that he can do other than try to stay alive. I wonder how eager those in power would be to see their sons and daughters off to war, knowing that they might never see them again.
A couple of you know my feelings and how deep they run. For the others, this is the light version. This is what has been uppermost in my mind for the past two months. It is what haunts me. Most of the time, writing something and getting it out helps. It doesn't help this time. Nothing will other than to see my nephew return alive and whole.
Once again let me say, I know that there are those who can't stand to hear anyone speak negatively about the war in Iraq or elsewhere. Keep it to yourself. I don't want to hear it. This is NOT a political debate.
