It’s Not About the War -It’s About the Warrior

Let me get this out there first thing: I’m a flaming patriot, and in spite of my pretense at being a tough guy, I’m a big squish.  I love acts of bravery, whether they are in support of our country or to save some one’s life.

Like millions of others, my in-box was flooded with patriotic pieces about soldiers during the recent Memorial Day weekend.  One of them stood out for me, not so much for the poignant singing and the historical photos that were featured, but because of the fact that it was made more significant by the man who introduced the singers.

USMC Lieutenant, Andrew Kinard, is a marine who was wounded in Iraq.  He lost both of his legs, and he made the introduction from his wheelchair after an extended standing ovation from the huge audience at the Academy of Country Music Awards.  He concluded his introduction of Trace Adkins and the West Point Glee Club, who were singing to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, by saying, “Remember, it’s not about the war…it’s about the warrior.”

His statement may have been some time-honored tribute to soldiers, but it was new to me, and it hit close to home.

The star-studded audience was transfixed and emotional as Trace and the Glee Club sang and accompanying photos were flashed upon a large screen.

The video touched me because I know a young soldier – a young warrior.  He’s a young man I have known since he was born, and I am so proud of him that I feel tears welling up almost every time I think of him.  By the grace of god, and the incredible training an Army Ranger goes through, he has not been wounded, even though he was part of the first wave into Baghdad.

He will not talk about the things he saw and did as they fought their way into the heart of Iraq, engaged in mortal combat with people who don’t place the same value on human life Americans do.  Hints he has given me tell me it was a physically and emotionally draining experience that most people can’t even imagine.

Now, as he prepares to leave this summer for a tour of Afghanistan, I am even more proud of him.  He has a young family that he has to leave behind.  He is not intimidated by what he has to do – he is saddened about leaving his family.  He is stoic in his belief that it his duty to make another year long commitment to go to a war zone.  We have an all volunteer army, and he made the choice to become an Army Ranger, just like every other soldier who made it their choice to join the military.

The media tends to ignore it, because it is not deemed to be politically correct in today’s climate of change, but there are thousands of soldiers who return to battle voluntarily.  There are quiet young men like the one I am talking about, who could rip your heart out of your chest in an instant, who are committed to causes that are not supported by a significant faction of Americans.  You may get tired of hearing the mantra that they are fighting so you don’t have to, or so you and your family can live in safety and comfort – but it is true.

I understand that war is a very sensitive issue because young men and young women are being wounded and they are dying.  It is understandable that it is so emotional to so many people.  In spite of that, I believe in what we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I also realize that only half of the people in this country are with me.  To me, the country’s division is really not a political issue, although it is heavily influenced by politics.  It’s an ideological issue, and how I or anyone else arrived at our ideological stomping ground is something I’ve never been able to figure out.  It’s obviously complicated, and influenced by age, social surroundings, parental influence, peer pressure, and world and national happenings.

As an early stage Baby Boomer who grew up in a small town in western South Dakota, I am a dreamer who was surrounded by fiercely patriotic, hard-working, honest people who never hesitated to fight for what they believed in.  Most of the people I know with a similar background believe as I do.

My dilemma in trying to understand all of this is that I know some people with the same background as mine who are so far left of me I can barely see them.  It’s probably not that simple because our personal beliefs can be influenced by one particular life circumstance, or a combination of circumstances.

When that young warrior said, “It’s not about the war…it’s about the warrior,”  here is the thing that grabbed me:  The young soldier I know recently turned to me, after looking both directions to make sure nobody else could hear him, and said, “You know Craig, I believe in what we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I believe we are doing the right thing.”

This proud, young, American warrior, who is not afraid to engage an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat, was afraid of what people around him would think if they heard him say that he believed in what we are doing.  He is heading off for another year away from his family in a horrid and dangerous environment because he believes he is doing the right thing for our country – and he knows only half of us agree with him.  He knows his family members love him and are proud of him.  He knows they worry about him and pray for his safety. But he also knows that many of them are so idealistically against what he is doing that he doesn’t want them to know how he really feels.

No matter what position you take, the next time you are sitting in the comfortable and safe place of your choice, having a glass of wine or a cold beer, take a moment and search your heart for the gratitude and support the young men and women who have chosen to make a sacrifice for you deserve.  Think about them crawling around unfamiliar desert terrain in 120 degree temperatures, praying they don’t find a bullet or an explosive device with their name on it.  Think about how many of them have to go without the things you take for granted: every day a warm shower, a hot meal, a hug from a child, or a walk in the park.

I’m not going to close with, “God bless our soldiers,” because they are blessed.  They are blessed with a type of pride in and commitment to our country that I hope will one day help close the ideological gap that has torn America apart.