AWOL

As most of you know, I'm fiercely loyal to and deeply respectful of those who wear the uniforms of our armed forces. I have many friends who either haved served or are serving our country. These men and women lay their lives on the line to protect our way of life, our values and our nation's interests. Now this conflagration in which our military is now engaged in Iraq is different from any other situation our servicemen and women have faced before. I understand that the volunteers that are currently active might have thought that they would not be called upon to enter combat. I also understand what a scary proposition that might be. The fears of dying, watching your comrades fall, being taken prisoner or worst of all, failing those who trust you to do your job under fire.

I've said all that to talk about one particular case. I won't mention any names because that's just disrespectful to the person and their situation.

So... I know this person... we'll call just call them Pvt. Pvt. has had a rough time of things. Pvt.'s father is in very poor health and is constantly getting worse, Pvt. failed their senior year in high school and as such is a nineteen year old who is still going to school. Pvt. is of course in the national guard and Pvt.'s unit was just activated to deploy. This is a supply unit... mostly in the rear with the gear. Pvt. with all this stuff going on... father in the hospital, high school classes, a job and such, just up and disappears. Fleeing from whatever problems Pvt. is scared of or upset by. I truly do feel sorry for Pvt. but I must say... BONEHEAD! Still in high school, excuse for not being deployed... Father's health very unstable, hardship case. Now instead Pvt. is AWOL and if found to be such could end up in Leavenworth turning big rocks into small rocks. Wherever you are, Pvt., I pray you are well and things will become a bit less confused for you.

I may blog about my life later... when it seems a bit more appropriate. I'm out!