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4/27/2007
So true
American Soldier says,
I remember coming back from deployments and feeling this way. I remember my father being the stiff lipped guy that he is. I remember the uncomfortable feeling being around family. Trying to fit back in and not really being able to.
I still feel weird being home. Still trying to fit in and be ‘normal.
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12 Responses to “So true”
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AS, some things just take time. You have had experiences that few Americans have had. You have seen the best there is to offer, and have also seen the worst in humans. Little things bring back the memories; things that most would not understand or even realize. It takes time to learn how to live with those memories, as they are part of you now, and only those who have experienced the same thing will completely understand.
However, you are not alone. You and the Mrs. have many friends who are there; who are praying for you; who support and are there for you. All may not understand what you are experiencing, but that is not from lack of trying.
I will still be praying for all three of you. You are respected and loved, with many friends. Friends that will stay by you and be there for you. Those are the friends to have.
I though that was a great comercial. I only get to see my dad about once a year and each time it is a little awkward yet you can feel the love and respect.
I’m now 25 with two kids and I have yet to drive my dad’s black 71′ Mach 1 Mustang.
that was powerful. thanks man.
AS, I’m just a stranger to you, and worse (I mean that gently), a woman. Thanks to your sacrifice, I will never be in a place where I will be able to understand what you’ve been through. And try as hard as we do, the women who love our soldiers, we can only stand by. How women understand, I mean, how we’re designed to show that we understand, just … too often … just isn’t sufficient … and that reinforces how far away we feel from you sometimes. If we thought that cutting off our own arm would open that door, many of us would do it. And sometimes, we feel like if we offer, we sound pathetic … but we hear a brother soldier offer to do it for a brother soldier … from him, it’s noble and it moves both of them … it moves me … and I feel guilty for being envious.
Sometimes, there are women who do understand what you’re feeling, not because they also shot and killed the enemy, or were shot and survived, but because they know what you’re feeling now that you’re home. The aftermath. The repeating horror show. But … like you … we tend to keep it in. It’s safer that way … yeah, there’s the harder loneliness of it … but … it’s just how it is.
Men are less complicated than women but more than they think, after they’ve gone through complicated times.
That all probably doesn’t help one damn bit and I’m gonna’ regret not deleting the whole thing. But, it’s been years since I’ve come anywhere this close … probably be more years before I do again.
I have to admit, being from a GM family, even I would buy a Ford now. That commercial had a tear rolling down my face. My Father was a Navy man, he lost a brother in Nam. I have grown up with a real respect for the Military.
All you have done and continue to do AS is not in vein. You are raising your children to be the next generation to care and love this country as you do. As we do. I raise my sons to have the respect for this great land as I was taught. It is parents such as you and I, and the countless others who will keep America on top.
GOD
FAMILY
COUNTRY
May we always remember.
… thank you.
When my brother recieved his two week leave from Iraq, he made a grand entrance 45 minutes before the birth of his first child. I was so grateful that he was able to be there to hold his wife’s hand during the last 45 minutes of her labor and to hold his baby girl, Haylee for the first time. God works in mysterious ways. Any way that video really went straight to the heart, because I sensed the feelings that my brother was feeling when he came home to visit. I couldn’t imagine the feelings he felt having to leave his new family and go back to war so soon. I am so proud of his courage. I am so grateful for all of our American Soldiers. Thank you for everything!
Uh, does this mean my dad buys me a new Mustang?
I came home for a short leave in 1971, right from vietnam. It was so bad that I went in the bathroom at newark airport and changed into civilian clothes so no one would know what I was.
I didn’t even go home, went to a friend’s house and spent two days there before I went home. My parents loved me but didn’t know what to say. I actually spent the first two nights at home sleeping next to my bed I case I heard a noise that spooked me.
Finally, my parents said they were proud of me and wised the war would be over. I didn’t want to hear that, but I just kept my mouth shut and knew in one more week I was going to Germany for one more year.
Many years have come and gone and now I wish I could have said and done more. I wish I would have had better support. But wishing and fear and thinking everyone could go to hell didn’t make it better.
At 58, now with a son in Iraq with the strykers I realize that I did my time so I could help my son do his. We can talk about stuff now that I could only cry about. God and time has helped me heal.
Remember, life here is not ideal. Many times the most critical times are private, lone and meant for you alone.
Remember we all are in this life’s fire to be refined into a better metal. It’s hard to see it at a young age, but you will look back on this time and say, God did I ever learn a lot and grow.
Your courage, your bravery, your time in hell has put you in elite company for which like the book/movie band of brothers has proven you a young man ahead of your times.
Thanks from an old vet.
Beautiful.
I just finished reading all of your blogs (at least the ones that aren’t password protected)
First off Not only do I want to thank you, but all of the men and women that are out there making sure we have the rights and dignity’s that we have. I am not American, I have never been to America other than the duty free zone with my mother when I was a child. But I know and appreciate what you wonderful wonderful soldiers have done for all of us. I am not saying our service men and women were not out there fighting as well, but you know as well as I do that the Canadian Government pussy footed around the whole thing, and as far as I am concerned made it harder in a lot of ways.
Yes I am Canadian, and from one neighbor to another……
Thank you for keeping my home and family safe
I agree coming back home was very uncomfortable. I’ve been back since December 2005 and I still get some awkward moments now and then. That’s a good commercial. Hey, glad to see the military hasn’t shut you down yet!