This is sacrifice

I have lived in Augusta for the better part of 35 years. All throughout my childhood my mother warned me about "those soldiers." You see, we have a large Army base in Augusta; Fort Gordon. It was mother's constant decree that we should never fall for one of those army boys. I know that her warnings were built out of fear that she would lose her daughter in a barrage of moves around the country and that she would never see her grandchildren. She could have been right. I'll never know, because I heeded her words and stayed far away. This constant drone of negativity surrounding the military helped me form a less than positive view of practically all military folk.
Years and years have passed. I have now witnessed what the military has done for some wayward and lost boys and girls. I've seen them be transformed into responsible, respectful and contributing members of society.
 However, it wasn't until this year, last month even, that I understood what the military life really consists of and how much sacrifice goes into leading it every day. Have you ever seen a dad say goodbye to his wife, baby and 7 year old girl? Have you witnessed the agony in that child's eyes because she knows she will not see her daddy again for a long time? I have. It broke my heart. I had never been privy to a goodbye of that magnitude nor with such young victims. The scene was almost too much to watch. And yet for the family, it just is. They tell me that you get used to it. I'm pretty sure it takes the will of Job to shut off that pain and continue on...but they do it.
It wasn't until later that I learned of a deployed soldier's life. The monotonous day after day routine that lasts an average of 12 hours a day....every day....with no days off. I found this out after talking with a friend who is stationed in Afghanistan. Where the highlight of his week is Sunday's steak and waffles. His life revolves around every moment that he can get to Skype with his wife and children....his lifeline to home.
I never knew they worked so much...so tirelessly...without end. It never dawned on me that in Afghanistan, there isn't a civilized city to explore and buy souvenirs. They cannot leave the base unless on a mission. They are trapped in their little metal bunkers or wooden boxes....some with air conditioning, but some without.
It was the revelation of these facts that led me to ask....why? Why would someone go through all of this self torture?
And then I was told about the sheepdog. An inspiring article written by Retired LTC David Grossman stated it plainly: If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path. Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed. (http://www.gleamingedge.com/mirrors/onsheepwolvesandsheepdogs.html)

Simply put, these warriors, these protectors of our country....they're born that way. They have a special something inside of them that surpasses common man in that they are willing to gamble their life to save ours. That is huge. It's unfathomable. And yet hundreds of thousands of people have lived their lives that way for centuries.
To me, it's humbling. I think back to years of growing up with the looming presence of Fort Gordon and all the soldiers there that I had to steer clear of. Today, I can only imagine how many brave souls passed through those gates. Those were/are people I'd now love to know.

This Memorial Day weekend has taken on a new meaning for me because of what  I've recently learned. This weekend of cooking out and going to the lake...days off from work to hit the big sale at the mall... they are a slap in the face to the true intent of this day.
I have an older tenant who served in Vietnam. He sent out an email today expressing how heavy his heart was in remembering his fallen comrades and those still dying today from toxins they were exposed to there. There is a time for gathering and celebration...but it is not this weekend. This weekend is meant to honor the sheepdogs, the protectors, the people who risk everything and who put their family through similar risk just so that you and I can live free.

I am humbled and so thankful for amazing people like these. Theirs is a journey that many would never be able to make. So as little as it is...as minuscule is the sentiment compared to the sacrifice it embodies....Thank you.
This sheep recognizes the price you pay every day.