I am distracted by a number of things.
3/3 Kilo Marines are coming home to Hawaii as I write this. They have worked so hard and all you have to do is read this or look at pictures here to see just what they have managed to accomplish. I'll be glad to hear they are home and taking 4 day naps. They have more than earned them.
Faith...today there was a whole long homily about the woman at the well and how humans tend to look for the easy way out--that magic bullet if you will. Shrug. I don't know-- sometimes I think we humans can equally be accused of making things harder then they need to be.
Time...I had a lot of it on my hands, recently. It didn't act any different from what I could tell. Unfilled, though, it felt like an impetus for something I haven't got to the bottom of, yet. Busy takes on a whole new meaning coming home.
Goals...to run again--see where my body is now after so little has been asked of it save five pregnancies and four births. I know you are thinking 'well hell pregnancy is a lot to ask of it.' True. In a way--but actually pregnancy is mostly a spectator sport except for the very beginning and the very end. Mostly you are just along for the ride. Working my body to run is more daily deliberate, an ongoing act of the will-- if you will.
speaking of will
Will...what can you will?
Really.
Exactly what can a human will?
I have heard love is an act of the will--faith, hope, trust, too.
I bet there are even more you couls add here.
Just because you can will them...should you and when, exactly?
As an aside...I have been reading a lot today and posting on our milblog.
There is a good piece on bootcamp written by someone who has gone through it for an audience that probably hasn't. Phillipine Phil, I thought you did a great job!
Another good article I read today was over at Neptunus Lex who posted an article the Washington Post put out on women in the military and their increased roles in combat situations. His link is on my blogroll.
James Alan Bersen wrote a piece on his view of the presidential election. He is an intelligience officer at Camp Victory in Iraq. He's a fellow Texan and one time reporter at our Capitol here. Always a good blog to read if you want some troop perspective and a sense of what boots on the ground there are thinking.
Again pray for our Kilo Marines in the 3/3. They are finally coming home.
The weather here is so miserable, wet and cold. I was thinking about our warriors so far away and how similar the weather has been there and how hard they are working and moving along with far less than we have here. Sometimes these folks go days without sleep when their duties demand it.
I know it's these folks' choice and it's part of the job, but it doesn't make me any less proud of what efforts they put in day in and day out and of the sacrifices their families make while they are away.
This is for D who is with his National Guard unit taking physicals and awaiting news of whether a third deployment will be asked of him.
This is for Sgt. Grumpy and all his fine Airborne folks who are out in the middle of nowhere working their asses off and doing such a hard job.
This is for 3/3 Kilo Company finally a few weeks away from home and a well deserved rest. B, we're so proud of you and your ninjas.
This is for Shaun, Mike, Roel, Joseph, Kat's dear one, J,Greg, Danelle and Jesse. Oh and also Heather and April over at Wishful Writer's nephew, Josh. He's in the same battalion as my Kilo boys...
God keep you safe and bring you home.
HAPPY 232ND BIRTHDAY, USMC!
No. 47 (Series 1921)
HEADQUARTERS
Washington, November 1, 1921
759. The following will be read to the command on the 10th of November, 1921, and hereafter on the 10th of November of every year. Should the order not be received by the 10th of November, 1921, it
will be read upon receipt.
fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the birthday of our corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.
to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.
Major General Commandant ,1921
QUOTES
The United States Marine Corps, with its fiercely proud tradition of excellence in combat, its hallowed rituals, and its unbending code of honor, is part of the fabric of American myth.
You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth- and the amusing thing about it is that they are.
Flag. We stole the eagle from the Air Force, the anchor from the Navy, and the rope from the Army. On the 7th day, while God rested, we over-ran his perimeter and stole the globe, and we've been running the show ever since. We live like soldiers and talk like sailors and slap the Hell out of both of them. Marine by day, lover by night, drunkard by choice, MARINE BY GOD!!! EERAH!!!"3/3 Kilo on deployment 2006. This video was editted by one of the Kilo Marine's wives and posted to Youtube.
