IN MEMORIAM

I don't consider myself a patriotic kind of guy but I do know that I love my country immeasurably and wouldn't want to live anywhere else.  I also know that the blokes who purport to dictate policy and say they're only out to make our lives better would all be better off on a very slow boat to China and it wouldn't hurt much if there was a slow leak in the hull.  We Americans have an inimitable spirit that is daunting to those that don't know us very well.  This has been evidenced by the recent tragedies that have befallen the town of Joplin, (in my own state) and also Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  In Joplin, you see flags standing tall amongst what truly looks like a bomb was dropped there.  You see neighbor helping neighbor, people who don't even know these people coming from all over to assist them rebuild, search for their loved ones, and provide that ever radiant and sweet lullaby of hope.

And so it goes with our American Soldier on this Memorial Day weekend.  We often forget about this lonely 19 yr. old kid (and he truly is a kid) half way across the globe, striding surreptitiously down some God forsaken street, packing his HK416, hoping to God that he doesn't come across an IED.  And it's that IED that has sent so many of his buds home either in a box or without their arms or legs.  Let's face it, he shouldn't be there or we shouldn't be there.  Whether you're in agreement or not with government policy and the assault of the Taliban is our main objective, we often forget about that 19 yr. old hunkered down in some rat infested hole, eating MRE's and trying to clear sand and dust out of his face.  The only place he should be hunkered down is in the backseat of his Mustang trying to get inside the pants of his girlfriend, wondering if he's going to score tonight or not.

So, as I "hunker" down in my BarcaLounger tonight, sipping on a Coors munching on some ribs from Bandana's, I'll think of Private Lopez, praying for his safe return.  God Bless You for keeping me safe!