Jack Army has a post up about choices . Even though he and his family are stationed here with us, I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting them though I feel, in some ways, that I already know them. I've been reading his blog for a while - long before they moved here.
Some folks might say, "easy decision: I'm never leaving the wire! Won't get shot that way." Others might decide to go on every mission. It's not so easy as that. First, I can't go on every mission. Sometimes I have things to do on the FOB that are pretty important. As for never leaving the wire, not gonna happen. Here's what I wrestle with: if I don't go and my guys get hurt, am I going to be able to deal with the guilt I'll feel because I didn't go? Is there something I could have done that would have made a difference?
It is interesting to get a different perspective on things like this. A few weeks ago, MacGyver was finally in line to start flying again. We were chatting on Instant Messenger and he told me he was on the board to fly the next day and was VERY excited. I was too...for about 2 seconds. Until it dawned on me that I would now truly start to have to worry about him.
See, prior to that, for about 6 weeks he had not been flying (LONG story). So, in my mind, he had been relatively safe. His CHU and the bulk of his work keep him toward the center of his FOB (forward operating base) and therefore away from most of the action that happens around the perimeter. He rarely went off base therefore I rarely needed to worry. He didn't have a choice. Now he does.
I worry about him. He's in a warzone and it's natural. I'm sure Jill Army worries about Jack in the same way. At the same time, I know that it is what he does and to expect him to sit behind a desk at the center of his FOB for a year is unrealistic and unfair.
But it sure would help ease my mind.
Be safe MacGyver. Be safe Jack. Be safe.
Pau.
- hfs
