A military helicopter was shot down in eastern Afghanistan, killing 31 U.S. special operation troops, most of them from the elite Navy SEALs unit that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, along with seven Afghan commandos.
We hear about this almost daily, reports of soliders being killed while on a deployment. And for most of us, you read the reports, you watch the news, but these names and faces mean nothing to us. So we stop think and feel for a few minutes and then it's back to our normal routines because luckily that person isn't our loved one or friend. And that is exactly how I felt when I heard of this crash. I realized what a tragedy it was and felt that 2 minutes of campassion for the families and the men killed. But this time it was different, shortly after forgetting about the crash I learned it was Seal Team 6, and all of a sudden I learned that this was directly affecting very important people in my life. For a second I realized how selfish I was, these men and women are fighting everyday and being killed, and it never changes my life. But now that it has ripped apart so many I know, my thoughts and feelings have been a little bit swayed.... I chalk it up to human nature.
It has been a great comfort to see so many people extended their hearts and time to make donations etc but then part of me becomes annoyed because many of these people suddenly have "great friends" coming out of the woodworks... It seems like people have to prove they are and were friends to the families involved.
Although my heart breaks for what has happened, I know that the guys killed in that helicopter and their families understand this tragedy in a way us on the outside don't and can't. These widows are so much stronger then any of us can imagine. I always find it amazing when I speak to people in the military, the commitment and dedication they have to the job their doing. I still can't help but to be broken for my friends. Life proves to be something none of us can ever prepare ourselves for, because we truly don't know what the next second is going to bring. I don't understand so many things that have happened the past 5 years, all the death, and pain..it's so overwhelming....some days it's hard to think everything happens for a reason. I can't ask myself questions like that but this is what I do know; Sometimes life hurts us, it robs us of something, or someone, it causes pain, a pain we did not choose, ask for, or want, it leaves us feeling out of control.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
This is truly spoken from the heart. This seal team that were killed for our freedom hit very close to home for so many of us. I re quote what I said to a friend earlier."may this open the eyes to the wife or loved one who complains someone works to much to late or long hours. Imagine a split second that you say goodbye to ur loved one like these seal teams loved ones did for an indeterminate amount of time. And learning that was the last time. Those lost and their families did what many of us only speak about and give opinions about. Those lost defended our country our freedom and our justice. The families held down things on this end not knowing if it was for a week a day or months or in this case for a lifetime. May these families unfortunate events not only bring respect and appreciation. But also open each of our eyes to not take our days for granted.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words Stacey : )
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