Memorial Day 2014 · 2:56pm May 26th, 2014
Our unit just held a remembrance ceremony by the flagpole. We read the names of the two-hundred some members of our unit who've died in Iraq or Afghanistan, and held a short moment of silence for them.
There's not much to say about it. We gathered up in a formation, with the traditional memorial display of combat boots, dog tags, an M-4 rifle supported by its bayonet, and a combat helmet on top. We read the names and saluted our fallen comrades. Outside the camp, right around sundown, the local mosques began to play the muezzin's call to prayer. It's a haunting sound, quite beautiful in its way, and it reminds us where we are.
This is my third Memorial Day in Afghanistan. It took me a moment to count up all those years and remember when I was deployed and where, but I think I've got it right. Chances are, it will be my last, assuming the war ends about the time we expect.
You might be wondering why I tagged this blog post with the 'Salvation' story. If you weren't wondering, well, you'll get to hear why anyway. Although many of my stories draw from my experiences at war (some directly so, particularly in the "I'm Afraid of Changeling" short story collection), two of my stories are actually about Afghanistan, or more precisely, the war here.
That "The Carnivore's Prayer" is about Afghanistan shouldn't surprise anyone. It's not about mechanized warfare, but it's about killing, and particularly about what killing does to the people who kill. In this respect, it's not really anything special. It's been written about before.
"Salvation" is about what happens to people who survive terrible things. It's about fate and chance, and how anyone among us -- you, me, our friends -- could be gone in a moment, and the rest of us would have no choice but to pick up the pieces and carry on with our lives. It's about how we recover after the war.
Again, I'm not the first to write about that. But it's a good tradition to be in, and I think, of all my stories about fantastic magical talking ponies, it might be the one with the most truth hidden inside.
May all of you have a blessed Memorial Day.
Respect to the fallen, the veterans, and the ones still abroad.
Wouldn't have what we have without you all.
2146630
C'mon, you can do better than that.
~Skeeter The Lurker
And same to you, friend. Thoughts and prayers to you and your unit for a safe return
2146644
True enough, but every one of'em counts, I'd suspect.
~Skeeter The Lurker
2146648
Tru dat.
It is night here, and the stars are coming out. Time to go.
Hey man, while I've never been part of the military other than basic service, the biggest thing I took from it was a deep respect for those that dedicate their lives to a cause greater than us. That your stories carry such messages is inspiring because it's not just fed by imagination alone, but experience and hope. And while they might echo works by others on similar subjects it's because they're your words and because of your connection to us that we can appreciate them so much more.
Thank you for your stories and thank you so much for your service.
It's been said once, it's been said a thousand times, and it deserves to be said a thousand more: thank you for your service. Thank you for being part of the armed services, which gives people like me the right to write silly stories about magical talking equines, go to whatever church I want to, and live life free from fear.
Thank you.
Never take what you guys do for granted. Thank you and stay safe.
You're actually one of the very few active military folks in my followsphere. Thank you for what you do, and stay safe.
EDIT: No idea why the double post this time. Ah well.
While today isn't an official day of remembrance in Canada, I still spend time every Memorial Day for the US—and every day, really—thinking about and thanking people like you for the work that you do. I observed a lot of American traditions along with those of my own country while on an exchange camp as a cadet, and I'm really glad that remembrance for the fallen and patriotism for the men on the front and back lines is such a universal thing.
It goes without saying, but keep yourself and your fellows safe, and best of luck.
stay safe
I come from a family who has had members fight in every American war since (and including) the Revolution, and many never made it back, so I grew up around people who had to deal with what Salvation deals with, of having to learn how to deal with the people who never made it back and the fact that you yourself was just lucky to live. Excellent story, and thank you so much for your service.
There's been non-stop war in Afghanistan since 1978. Keep dreaming, buddy.
Hoo rah, brother. Come back to us safe.
Thank you for your continued service, and the service of all of your comrades in the military. We all owe you a debt that we can likely never repay.
I will continue to hope and pray for the day that you and all of our military men and women can come home and stay home, so you can all bask in the peace and safety that you give so much of yourselves to create for the rest of us.
Stay safe, and come home soon.
-GMP
Thanks for your service, CiG. Stay safe.
2146651
If you have a camera that can handle nighttime shots (I know lots have trouble with the darkness), take a picture of that sky. Orion and the Big Dipper are just about all you can see here.
2148614
I took some night-time sky photos when I was at Gardez, and the nights were truly. Here we're next to an airfield, and there are floodlights on all hours of the day.
I'll see if I can find some of those old shots.