My good friend

I dont know that i should be posting in this thread.

But i've got a very good friend who is in the Army National Guard. He immediately joined after he finished his tour with the Navy. He was sent for a little over a year to Iraq. He came home for a week or two and we'd get together with the rest of our friends. They would all be in the back garage dancing and drinking and acting stupid. My friend and i would sit on the picnic table and i would just sit there and listen to him talk about what he went through there. Alot of the time i had tears in my eyes as he told me about his unit being ambushed and losing many of his friends. About the times the went into the streets there and did their jobs and what happened. Even about being in the safety of where they lived at the airport. Worrying everday that his safety there was not safe because of missles being shot into their barracks.

I would never speak or ask questions, just let him talk. This happened on a few occasions and out of all of our friends i would be the only one he would talk to about this. He would tell me thank you for listening and always end with a hug and letting him know im happy that hes safe and with us. Then knowing his visit home would soon end and he would be going back to Iraq. I would worry myself sick about him. Knowing the predicaments he was being put in and not knowing if he'd make it out.

Thank god his tour was almost up and they were sent home two weeks early becuase of Katrina hitting here. They all came home to losing everything they've had here. Families missing, not knowing where or what to expect. He told me later on that when they got back home it was alot like still being in a war zone. He has recently been released from active duty and moved to Ontario. He said he needed some peace in his life and to look and share in some beauty. Im sure he has PTSD, but im not forcing anything on him to speak of his time abroad. When he is ready he will talk again. Until then he knows i am here to listen.

Before Iraq, he and i would sit outside on the patio and i'd listen to him go on and on about his weekend adventures. It interested me very much to hear about. I loved hearing my Dad talk about the Korean war.

He's a special friend of mine and I'm so thankful of him for putting his life in the direct line of fire to serve our country. He is my hero, like all of the other men and women who have and still do serve.

Thanks for posting this. it describes the need soldiers have for a listening and understanding ear, someone who will not go ewwwww when they hear the terrible things.

"He would tell me thank you for listening and always end with a hug and letting him know im happy that hes safe and with us."

Your remark about this brought me to tears.

Stay in touch with your friend. he will need you one of these days whn he is ready to tell some more of this war.

troy

(((((((((((( chalm ))))))))))))) I'm so glad your friend had you to talk to.

My best friends brother is a Vietnam Vet....was injured horribly and disabled. I remember the family getting word of his injuries and when he was back in the states at the Veteran's Hospital. I remember when he came home....how sad his eyes were. How he shook....how he cried. He is still having physical issues that he needs surgery for.....and he's putting it off....he's scared he may end up even more disabled than he is now. I can't say that I blame him.

Over the years as we've aged, he has told me more and more stories of his experiences of war. I always sit quietly with him and listen intently....sometimes extending my arm around him when I feel he can handle it....and we always end the conversation with a hug and him thanking me for being able to listen. He's a great guy.....I'm proud to know him.....I'm thankful for what he gave for me, for his country. I love him dearly...he is family....like the big brother I never had. We laugh a lot together. And we cry too....it's all good.


sabby

This is my first time ever telling these things, and as you can imagine, this is the light weight stuff. Thank you for listening to your friend's stories, not everyone can do that.

Tell him about PC if it is appropriate.

Thank you
Troy

I have told him about PC in the past, but he has no clue how to use a computer....he's builder by trade and a mechanic....pure and simple. A computer to him is completely foreign and he has no interest at all...LOL.

I have no troubles listening to his stories. I feel that if he's ready to tell them, then they must be heard. He must be validated. I feel it is an honor that he would talk to me and I must honor him by listening. As I would for you also!


sabby

My friend Jason called me today and said that his brigade the 256th have been put on alert for a return to Iraq for another tour of duty. He's not sure yet when they will get mobilized but said he's preparing himself as if its tomorrow. He said they've been made to a light infantry unit so they wont have all the tanks they had last time. He said becuase of Katrina this change was made because of rescues and patrols here. So they will be in trucks now when they return. I've been feeling really strange, a bad strange since talking to him.

chal hon that is a terrible thing for you to be feeling. give him all the love you can right now. let him know you are there for him as always. (((hugs)))

It must be very difficult to be waiting for that call....for all concerned.

Spend what time you can with him now....so both your hearts will be filled!

((((((((((((((((( chalm & Jason ))))))))))))))))))))


sabby

Leaving for combat was one of the hardest moments of my life ... almost as difficult as returning from combat.

Thanks for supporting your friend .... let him know how much the rest of us appreciate his efforts. He is making a difference.

T.