Dear Soldier

Dear Soldier,1

Hi, I’m Jennifer, I live in Arkansas. I’m 26 and just wanted to write someone over there to say, thanks. I don’t presume to know or understand what you must be going through being over there. I can say that it must be tough. To be away from your friends and family. You’re probably not alone there, you have your fellow soldier buddies to help ease the tense moments and make you laugh right? I bet there’s that “one guy” who tells all those raunchy jokes and you sometimes love them but sometimes hate them, but mostly are just thankful you’re not all alone.2

I wonder if you ever regret your decision to fight for your country? War can be so stupid and petty can’t it? Whenever I’m in the middle of something terrible, it always feels so…out of control and manic. My logic goes out the window and the adrenaline rushes upon me and I’m left with this intense angry version of myself. And when I come back into myself, I see the things I did or said and feel ashamed and sorry. Do you ever feel that way over there? Probably not now, but eventually it will hit you, it hits us ALL eventually.3

I hope you don’t hate yourself for anything you have done over there, war is a terrible thing. In the heat of the moment, so much can happen and normal judgment is lost. Please know that, no matter what you’ve done, how heinous the crime might be while you’re over there. I am always proud of YOU for being over there and doing your duty. I’ve seen a lot of war movies…I have an idea what I’m saying to you when I say that. No need to get graphic and stuff, just know that someone forgives you and can be understanding.4

I have had to forgive a lot in my life, small things, huge things…no forgiveness comes easy. But I give that to you and I hope it reaches you and eases something in your mind that you may have thought lost when this war began. I also hope you don’t allow yourself to change drastically in a negative way. You’re a good person, how do I know this? You CHOSE to fight this war, whether you went into the service for education advantages or with the heartfelt desire to serve your country for life. You took that oath, when so many won’t. You KNEW the risk and yet you took it anyway and you STAYED and you fight bravely everyday honoring that oath, that promise.5

A lot of people with close families over there criticize the president for sending you guys over there, heck I do too. I don’t truly think your fighting terrorism, but merely helping a man save face in light of such a horrible mistake and lie he told. So many have died for his idiocy…there is no excuse, but we must forgive and pray that the next guy can fix it right?6

I don’t know…maybe we should all strive to be more like cats. They’ve got an easy life right? Eat, sleep, ignore people and then cuddle up and purr and love. My own cat is a brat, she is just like me. It’s funny. Do you have any cats or pets in general? I have a Hamster, his name is Hammie. I know so very original naming right? He has this odd, well odd to me, habit of taking the bedding I put in his clean cage, on the bottom and trotting it up into his little house above, to the point that there is almost NO bedding below and this tiny house above is stuffed to the brim. No matter how many times I clean it or how much clean bedding I put into the small house above, he ALWAYS drags more up there. So strange…people are like that. Strange.7

Well, I’ve probably bored you to tears and you haven’t even made it this far into the letter. But I am going to say anyway, without knowing you or your background, without knowing exactly what you’ve been through or will go through. I’m glad you’re alive and over there doing your job in the name of our country. I’m glad you took the job no one else dared take. You hold onto that and you be proud of yourself. You didn’t have to go and I’m honored that you did. Don’t hate yourself, no one over here hates you. We may not all agree with the political side of this war, but we ALWAYS love and support you! Be strong!8

Love,9

Your friend, Jennifer10