A Moment to Reflect

I don't blog much on the war in Iraq. Namely because I'm poorly informed, unsure what I think about a lot of it, and I like to keep this blog more lighthearted. However, my yoga instructor shared something with me the other week that has stuck in my mind. So much, that I've decided to share it here.

 

Her brother is career military--I want to say Army or Marines. He's on his third tour of duty in Iraq. She said he's been lucky that he hasn't had to shoot anyone, but he has been shot at several times.

 

The other week two of the men in this man's unit--friends--were in some big truck or Army vehicle and a grenade went off and they were quite literally blown up. The vehicle was still in tact though and my friend's brother had the job of cleaning up the truck.

 

Having to perform a task like that is beyond my comprehension. Can you imagine what that must be like? The smell? The look of it? Knowing what it is that you're wiping off the equipment? I told Blair the other night that I guess I could do it if I had to, but I don't know that I could do it and keep sane.  

 

I'm sure this is one of the "tamer" stories of what's going on in Iraq, but I haven't been able to shake the mental imagery from my mind. I don't have any family or friends or know anyone over in Iraq and the war is a bit distant for me.  It's good sometimes to be reminded of the sacrifices being made by others.