The War on Terror
My brother went to a military college. He's always been interested in the military, epic battles, good and evil, G.I. Joes as a kid, protect the women, etc. He became a Marine, and he served this country with two missions to Afghanistan. About one year ago his official time was up. He chose not to stay in, but instead to get out and start a "normal life." He started his own business; he's given up a lot to get where he is.
When he was overseas, I tried not to the think about the war or the president or even politics. My parents supported it, my friends waffled on it, and I was too scared to comprehend it. A superstitious thought, I worried my dissention could hurt him somehow. So I supported it as best I could, I closed my ears, I tried to think about something else... anything.
When he came back it was weird at first. For a while I talked to him less than I had even when he was overseas. Then things changed for him a bit, he mellowed somewhat, and now, even with some of the horrible things he says and his truly distorted world-views, I enjoy talking to him. Sometimes I even enjoy his company. Once this year we went out with some of my friends.. went out... did something together... connected somehow. I joined Myspace just to be his "friend," and since then we've talked more than any other time in my life.
Yesterday a letter came in the mail to my parents' house. It's funny how letters can evoke so many terrifying and exciting memories... waiting for college acceptance letters (would it be a legal sized envelope, a thick manilla with registration information [please please please]), test results that didn't mince words, insurance notifications where the battle of "who gets to pay" volleys back and forth for months or years.
On this particular day, no one was expecting anything fantastic.
We did not expect to receive a notification that he is being recalled for active duty.
When he was overseas, I tried not to the think about the war or the president or even politics. My parents supported it, my friends waffled on it, and I was too scared to comprehend it. A superstitious thought, I worried my dissention could hurt him somehow. So I supported it as best I could, I closed my ears, I tried to think about something else... anything.
When he came back it was weird at first. For a while I talked to him less than I had even when he was overseas. Then things changed for him a bit, he mellowed somewhat, and now, even with some of the horrible things he says and his truly distorted world-views, I enjoy talking to him. Sometimes I even enjoy his company. Once this year we went out with some of my friends.. went out... did something together... connected somehow. I joined Myspace just to be his "friend," and since then we've talked more than any other time in my life.
Yesterday a letter came in the mail to my parents' house. It's funny how letters can evoke so many terrifying and exciting memories... waiting for college acceptance letters (would it be a legal sized envelope, a thick manilla with registration information [please please please]), test results that didn't mince words, insurance notifications where the battle of "who gets to pay" volleys back and forth for months or years.
On this particular day, no one was expecting anything fantastic.
We did not expect to receive a notification that he is being recalled for active duty.
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