I am the oldest of 4 boys. Two of my brothers are in the service of our country with the Marines. One of them joined pre 9/11 and the youngest joined post 9/11. My youngest brother had the distinction of being one of the only people in his graduating platoon not to be sent directly to Iraq.
The older one is on his second hitch. After his first 4 years in Okinawa, he was allowed to choose his duty station, and he wisely chose Hawaii.
I am immensely proud of both of my brothers and the jobs that they have chosen to do. They are tough, honorable men who both chose the military on purpose over going to college. They have changed my perception greatly on the men and women serving our country. We still may disagree politically, but I understand better now why they do what they do, and I love them all the more for it.
Which brings me to my point. The older of the two, the one that resides in Hawaii, has volunteered to go to Iraq. He leaves in just a few days.
Ok, maybe I don’t really have much of a point. My mind is swirling as I write this.
God, I don’t what this to be happening. I’m scared for my brother. I’m scared for my family. I know it’s a selfish response to an increadibly unselfish action. I don’t care.
Why? Why can’t you be a chickenshit desktop pontificator like your big brother? Why do you have such strong convictions that make you do the things that you do, to actually get in the mix? I’m your big brother, I am supposed to protect you. Yet you have something else to protect, that’s bigger than either of us.
Thank you little brother, for the job that you do. Please come home safely, I love you.
Tell your brothers - both of them - that a lot of people are proud of them and the job they do. The probably already know this, but hey. For the one going to Iraq, give him my best and tell him to come home safely.
Give us updates from time to time and let us know how he’s doing, ok?
It not something that can easily explained or understood unless you are in it, but I fully understand the older brother’s sentiment. Tell him to keep his helmet on, and flak jacket buttoned up. That’s what my dad told me. It worked for him (USMC, Con Thien and Khe Sahn, VietNam), it worked for me (USMC, Kuwait, Gulf War Episode One), and it couldn’t hurt him.
If he’s at all like me, he’s proud of you for your beliefs, and would fight for you to be able to continue to voice them, even though he may not agree.
Believe me you can do a lot for your brother. Simple things. Keep writing, emailing and mailing packages. Ask him if he needs anything. If he says he doesn’t send him stuff anyway. Doesn’t seem like much but it is incredibly important. Regardless of what you think of the war you can let people know what your brother is like. Most people serving our country are thoughtful, serious professionals who understand their responsibility to their country and its people. Most people only hear about bad things when they happen and not who is out there with their ass on the line. You don’t have to support the war but let him know you support him every chance you get. It does make a difference. Let him know he has a lot of faceless dopers supporting him too.
Please extend my deepest gratitude to your brothers for their service.
I recently found out from Iylad, who was in the Navy about 12 years ago, that stuff from home is wonderful. I sent him videotapes of the kidlets and they had movie night on the submarine. I asked him why everyone else wanted to watch it, and he said, “It’s from home.”
Send him stuff, and send him enough stuff to share.
He’s doing a good thing. Don’t ever let him forget that.
Cluricaun, it’s understandable and even expected that you are worried about him and want him to stay safe above all else. It means you love him, and that’s a good thing. That’s not selfish, so don’t beat yourself up for it.
And for your brother, tell him thanks for me. I’ve got tremendous respect for the people who can make tough choices like this, and put their sense of duty and responsibility above everything else. I wish him safety and the best of luck.
And I dunno if it’s the same for Marines, but I’ve heard that for the Army guys in Iraq, the most prized commodity are Wet Ones. So send him those. I hear that they’re as valuable as gold and prison cigarettes combined.
My brother was in Vietnam, and there was a hard rock of fear in my soul every day he was there. You go about your business, but you know every minute that something awful could be happening. My brother came back alive, although very psychologically messed up. When I learned he had returned safely, I broke down and bawled for about four hours. I wish no one had to go to war. Life is so precious. I hope your brother makes it.
I’m going to second (and third and fourth) everyone’s suggestions to send him things. Anything. Well, anything that you’re allowed to send. My high school math teacher went to Iraq, and he was even happy to get homework questions from his students, though he couldn’t answer them in time for the homework. Let him know that you love him and miss him.
Like a lot of the country, I think the war in Iraq was a Big Bad Idea. There is, however, an enormous difference between supporting the soldiers and supporting the war. Let him know that there are thousands of strangers across the country that want him and his fellow soldiers to return home, in the same shape they left.
Yepyep. I’m also hearing from the ANG guys I work with that ANYTHING from home is appreciated - local newspaper, pictures of childhood home, pictures of family members…stuff like that. Powdered Gatorade is also a winner - apparently the water tastes like crap.
I sincerely thank you all for your kind sentiments with all the grace that I possess.
I talked to little brother last night, and I did pass along all of the thank yous. Based on the reaction I guess that really isn’t something that service people are too used to hearing, which is a shame. From now on I will make a point of saying thanks to each service member that I happen to come across.
Again, thank you all, I’ll keep you posted on what happens.