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Three weeks ago, my brother Nathan returned home from Kuwait after 15 months of service for the military. To see this young man formerly known as "my little brother" arrive home; it really opened my eyes.
Nathan grew up. He's mature. He has his own views on politics and the military that are separate from my views and those of our parents.
I asked my brother what he thought of the state of our government. I asked him how he learned about the happenings in the USA while he was so far away. I asked him what kinds of tasks he performed in that hot desert. I asked what he thought of the Rumsfeld resignation and the military remarks of John Kerry. I had a list of questions ready and
waiting, like an interview. Listening to him speak was beautiful. It still brings a tear to my eyes.
My brother explained he was responsible for searching vehicles for weapons, drugs, fraudulent identification papers, and illegal passports in Kuwait. It was imperative that no "shady" persons be admitted into secure places that they have no authority to enter. It was his job to make sure the base was secure, that all soldiers were safe and to provide assistance to those soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also searched Humvees to make sure they were safe and secure.
My brother participated in QRM's or Quick Response Missions. He told me these are like "fire drills for the military." These mock missions were practice in the event a base was bombed or attacked.
When I asked how he felt about former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, my brother said, "I had always heard rumors of his leadership, how horrible it was. My generals often would tell us the man is doing his job poorly. But no one ever complained about it. We just did our jobs. All of us. We do what we are told to do. I have respect for any man or woman who serves or leads this country. It's not an easy job. It's not easy at all."
Nathan went on to explain how each soldier may have their own opinion about Iraq, about government and about leadership, but they are all fighting for the common good. They are fighting for our country as well as for Iraq, and for Americans to believe everything they read or hear from the media, shows their own fear and ignorance about this war.
"War is not easy. You don't win over night. You can't just say it's a piece of cake and hope things work out. There are men and women from America, from Poland, from England, who are there. Fighting for the same cause. We are helping the Iraqi's to receive freedom. Freedom to have their own government, freedom for Iraqi women and children to receive an education. The list is large. If you can't even see past your own noses, and see the good that we are bringing, than you have no right to demand withdrawal from Iraq."
Nathan believes that withdrawal from Iraq at this early stage would undermine everything he and others worked so hard for. All the time away from family and friends. All the sacrifices they have made would be worthless.
"You can't spend 15 months away from home, working hard to fight a war, only to hear that America wants you out. It's one thing if the Iraqi people wanted the military removed from their country, quite another for your own country.
"We see the news, sometimes days late, but we see American politicians demanding our withdrawal. It angers me. Would any of those people do what I do? Let's switch places. Would they go to Kuwait? Afghanistan? Iraq? They'll see the horror, sure, but they'll also see progress."
His comment reminds me of weight loss. You don't lose the fat overnight. You have to work at it.
Nathan felt that the military could have done things differently, however. Instead of the game of cat and mouse they played trying to get into Baghdad, they should have pushed through with more force. He felt American disapproval may have prevented the military from really accomplishing this task early on.
"Yes, the military needs new strategy. We of all people
