Nothing but a thing...

"There is no difficulty to him that Wills" -Haines Family Crest, Plymouth 1620

Jason Haines, a shipmate here in Afghanistan, shared an email with me that I thought appropriate for my friends and family as I sit here in Kabul in my cozy "dorm" room on my secure compound. It was about one of his family member's that epitomizes the word hero.

When you think you have it bad, Moses, take a look at the real generation that is leaving us at a rapid rate. According to a Cheshire Herald article, World War II ended almost 70 years ago, and veterans from what has become commonly called “the greatest generation” are dying off each year. An estimate produced by the Department of Veteran's Affairs in 2009 revealed that as many as 1,100 veterans may be dying per day. Jason's grandpa fought in the Pacific after he joined to Navy in December 1941. He was underway heading west by 11 January and would not finish his first cruise until 10 March...no, not two months...it was finished in 1943. Look at this picture of his ship to get a small sense of what he endured. This is the USS Minneapolis after the battle at Tassafaronga. Read about it here. After heading back to Hawaii, and six months pier side, he headed back out again for his 2nd cruise.

Oh to have men like that in this generation. I must say we are soft. I pray it is not because we do not value the freedoms they valued and determined to fight for...just that the good life God has given us has made us soft. We complain about 3 days of rain, the chicken was too dry in the chow hall, and the coffee was not fresh when we sat down for that piece of pecan pie.

The next time you are walking down the mall and you see one of those old guys with the blue hats that declares he is a veteran of a war gone by, stop and talk to him...tell him thank you. I guess all I am trying to say is, if you think you got it bad, think again.

It's all relative, my friends. As for me and my lot in life, this ain't "nothing but a thing!"

Groundhog Day

"When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter."

The days since my last post have drug by, day by day, just like the movie. But, spring hopes eternal! They say the furry guy didn't even see his shadow this year! Either way, I am tracking 49 days before I head home to see the clan.

Reflection from a career Sailor ~ When you are deployed, it seems like everyday is Monday. Even if you have a day that is your "sleep in" day, you still go through the same ritual and duties. What you need is a break in the action to help you count the weeks! Back in the Navy on the ship, we counted pizza nights. We had pizza every Friday night! It was 24 pizza nights to go when you first pulled out, 3 pizza nights to this or that port call, 2 pizza nights until Christmas. You get what I mean. We marked the time and had goals, and we got by.

I was thinking yesterday on Ground Hog Day, that the people of Afghanistan need a pizza night. Something to give them hope. I am not sure it is the U.S. or ISAF at this point. They are in a 30 year old Ground Hog Day of war and turmoil.

With a life expectancy of 44 in Afghanistan, there is a good chance an Afghan will never see it pass. (see the dated article linked here) I am grateful to know that "this too shall pass" can be said about anything I have ever endured in this temporal life on earth. I have had it easy. Count your "pizza days" and count your blessings wherever you are!