Taken For Granted?  

Posted by Heather

So the other day I was sitting at my computer checking in with the world; checking e-mails, responding, checking facebook, etc. A guy I knew in middle and high school messaged me. We weren't that close, we rarely spoke to each other. He messaged me trying to figur out how he knew me and I told him and he was like "oh yeah." So we got to talking and I found out he was in Iraq and has been for 2 years. He's my age, he's in the war, he's doing something much larger than I am.

I take that for granted. I take it for granted that I am sitting in Mauldin, SC awaiting the day I am leaving for vacation with my family (Friday btw). I take it for granted that when I get back I will be getting ready for my return to NGU and that I will be a student. Something far more common that a person serving in war. Something far more lowly than doing something a lot bigger than myself. What I do in college will not affect my country. It will not save someone's rights or life. It will secure my future (hopefully) and will create a new plateau to rise to, however it will not harm anyone if I make a mistake by forgetting to gesso my canvas. My painting might not look completly polished but the end result will not kill anyone.

It's so amazing to me that there are people my age fighting a war that they may or may not agree with. That they put their selfish pride and fear aside and took up a motto of "Sempri Fi." The thought of doing something like that scares me to death. That would be a total jump out of my box. but not just a jump out but a entire demolishing of the box i was in. It's so honorable for someone to do what the soldiers are doing. I know the war is a hot topic among most people these days, but in my mind if the soldiers can get up and fight the war then it's worth supporting them.

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2 comments

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I think you raise a really interesting issue. I've spent this past year in Israel learning, and I met so many people my age who are in the army. The way of life there was so different. These were normal teens just like me, but with such priorities! It makes you wish you had more things sorted out for yourself, or at least it makes me think that. There is so much I want to do, but it all seems very far away. Sometimes I think about just doing something, but I can't even begin to know where to start. I think college will be a good experience. We can't all jump into things, right? But I definitely have a lot of respect for those who can...

This a great post young lady. You are a thinker and you write very well. I am so glad you get it. So many your age do not understand the sacrifice made by our military. I have read some of your other post as well. Impressive! One of my aquaintances is a fella you may have heard of, Ben Stein. He speaks of or military almost every day. Anyway, nice job.

Randy j. Cole