The recent helicopter crash in Afghanistan brings back memories of a helicopter crash that took place just over five years ago, killing 10, also in Afghanistan. Jason was just back from his second deployment in Iraq when we received news of the crash. A crash that took 10 lives this time. This time one of these men happened to be one of Jason's friends. He left behind a wife of almost 20 years and his four week old baby girl who he had never even met. Five years have past and this year that little girl would most likely be starting kindergarten. Just like her Daddy, I have never met her, but I think of her often. Probably because I have two little girls myself. Most likely because their Daddy is a soldier too. I think of exactly what her father sacrificed for his country. What his daughter gave up for hers. I remember how my husband took the news, just a few weeks back from a deployment himself. He had spoken several times to his friend just before he left and I think he was shaken up. He couldn't attend the funeral and I think that made it harder for him.

We are at a most difficult time as a nation. In Washington everyone seems to be pointing fingers and no one can balance a budget if their life depended on it. At this point I don't really care who is actually at fault, only that the problem persists and that on each side there seems to be no resolution. Fingers are being pointed, names are being called. As a nation, is this what we have come to? Is this what men are dying to protect? Is this what little girls are growing up without fathers for? We as a country don't want to be at war anymore. And we are bringing our troops home because we can't afford it. But we aren't thankful, we're just tired of "wasting money".

Jason has told me time and time again, that I do not understand the brotherhood of soldiers. That he can go weeks without talking to them and one phone call it is like no time has passed. That if he really needs something, these men will do anything they can to help other. It comes from being in battle together and it is a bond like no other. We witnessed that a few weeks ago with our last assignment cycle here. In the middle of the drama, Jason received a phone call from his cousin. I hear Jason in the midst of his own personal fiasco tell his cousin there is no greater Army, there will be no greater friends, there is no greater country to serve.

I wish that Washington and the American people, would put on a pair of combat boots for just one week and walk in these men and womens shoes. Maybe then they would understand a little better the true meaning of the loss of just one of these soldiers. They are someone's son, someone's husband, someone's father.
They aren't just a good story to run for a week and be finished with it. For their families this story will run forever.

The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.
Douglas MacArthur