12/15/2005: Grief of a soldier's wife

Undertoad · 12-15-2005, 08:25 PM

xoB sent along this Time.com photo essay on iraq war families dealing with loss, and two of the shots put a tear in my eye... this one, which is fourth of ten, and the one that follows it in the series at that link. You should go there, because Time presents the images better than I do.

You can take it any way you like, but the grief I feel, I want to be free of the politics of it all. For once, it's not to multiply by it shouldn't have to be like this, or to divide by on such an honorable mission. It is the same grief no matter why it happened, no matter whose fault is behind the decisions. Because the soldier doesn't make those decisions, s/he only lives and sometimes dies working on the mission given. In service that doesn't change with the party in power.

xoxoxoBruce · 12-15-2005, 08:46 PM

I've seen a couple of articles/programs about men like Major Beck and the impossible task they do. I can't imagine having to do that job.

richlevy · 12-15-2005, 08:49 PM

I wish I could be free of the politics of it. But is it really wrong to ask why this is necessary? Can we really say that if they had not died we would have been less safe? I keep on remembering the phrase 'To support and defend the Constitution'. Is that a definition of this conflict?

This doesn't make me want to honor their sacrifice any less. It just means that I have my duty as a citizen, the duty they swore to uphold.

What's really sad is that ten or even five years from now, Congress will find some way to shortchange the veterans, the widows, and their families when everyone stops paying attention.

I'm proud of the job they did, ashamed of the circumstances that put them there, and sad for their families and friends.

BigV · 12-15-2005, 09:15 PM

No, richlevy, it's not wrong to ask why this is necessary. But please take that kind of talk elsewhere. In keeping with the intimate image, and Undertoad's remarks, your freedom of speech is intact, but inappropriate in this context.

I have lost loved ones. My dad drew his last breath as I held his hand and watched his face dissolved in a sheen of tears. The questions as to the decisions about his care and the competency of the doctors attending to him were not invalid, only inappropriate.

There is a time and place for such talk. Just not here, not now. You understand, I'm sure.

capnhowdy · 12-15-2005, 09:42 PM

I pledge allegiance to the flag
and to the republic for which it stands........
...a moment of silence here...
I can't go there.
not again
a service to my country whose majority is unappreciative.....
I won't delve, other than to say......
"God bless the USA"

richlevy · 12-15-2005, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

There is a time and place for such talk. Just not here, not now. You understand, I'm sure.

Some people, when confronted with great sadness, can say, "What a pity".
Other people, when confronted with great sadness, can say, "Why is this happening, and what can I do to make it stop".

I hope you understand.

I appreciate the guys like Major Beck, who do what they can in an impossible situation. I just don't think it's enough.

Beestie · 12-15-2005, 10:15 PM

I hope this war produces something that the survivors of those who gave their lives to build it can take pride in. At this point, we just don't know.

I hope Bush looks at these photos every day. If only to drive home the real cost of this war. Unfortunately, I have a bad feeling that he feels no cost is too great.

zippyt · 12-15-2005, 10:34 PM

According to the news 60% of the folks over there got to vote for their OWN gubment , it MAY decline into the typical secular hairball ,
BUT ( and this is a BIG BUT ) we helped give THEM the chance to make their own choices, what they do with them is their own fault and responsibility .

I mourn the loss of fellow comrads trying to give these folks the RIGHT TO CHOOSE , I hope they don't disshoner the losses we have incured on their behalf .

beavis · 12-15-2005, 11:42 PM

that was a gut wrenching series of photos. i can't imagine the pain...

Trilby · 12-16-2005, 03:58 AM

Why did I look?

crying.

Kitsune · 12-16-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Because the soldier doesn't make those decisions, s/he only lives and sometimes dies working on the mission given. In service that doesn't change with the party in power.

I initially had a tough time removing the political arguments from my thoughts while reviewing the slideshow, but this statement ended up doing it for me and, I think, is the only statement that could.

...and then, on reading it again, only served to amplify what it had banished.

Damn. Regardless of how you look at it, the whole thing is just so sad.

Elspode · 12-16-2005, 01:17 PM

For some strange reason, the politics of this never occurred to me as I was looking at the essay. All I could see was that poor woman's pain, and that Major Beck's job had to be just about the worst job in the entire universe.

Cochese · 12-16-2005, 02:07 PM

You were not kidding. By picture four I was misty. I would love for this thread to become the most frequented daily pic on the site.

Kitsune · 12-16-2005, 03:18 PM

<a href="http://www.todaysmilitary.com/">I couldn't even begin to imagine</a>.

Griff · 12-16-2005, 04:30 PM

Jesus, I love the Marines. Good people.

12-15-2005, 08:25 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	12/15/2005: Grief of a soldier's wife xoB sent along this Time.com photo essay on iraq war families dealing with loss, and two of the shots put a tear in my eye... this one, which is fourth of ten, and the one that follows it in the series at that link. You should go there, because Time presents the images better than I do. You can take it any way you like, but the grief I feel, I want to be free of the politics of it all. For once, it's not to multiply by it shouldn't have to be like this, or to divide by on such an honorable mission. It is the same grief no matter why it happened, no matter whose fault is behind the decisions. Because the soldier doesn't make those decisions, s/he only lives and sometimes dies working on the mission given. In service that doesn't change with the party in power.

12-15-2005, 08:46 PM	#2
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I've seen a couple of articles/programs about men like Major Beck and the impossible task they do. I can't imagine having to do that job. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

12-15-2005, 08:49 PM	#3
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	I wish I could be free of the politics of it. But is it really wrong to ask why this is necessary? Can we really say that if they had not died we would have been less safe? I keep on remembering the phrase 'To support and defend the Constitution'. Is that a definition of this conflict? This doesn't make me want to honor their sacrifice any less. It just means that I have my duty as a citizen, the duty they swore to uphold. What's really sad is that ten or even five years from now, Congress will find some way to shortchange the veterans, the widows, and their families when everyone stops paying attention. I'm proud of the job they did, ashamed of the circumstances that put them there, and sad for their families and friends. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

12-15-2005, 09:15 PM	#4
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	No, richlevy, it's not wrong to ask why this is necessary. But please take that kind of talk elsewhere. In keeping with the intimate image, and Undertoad's remarks, your freedom of speech is intact, but inappropriate in this context. I have lost loved ones. My dad drew his last breath as I held his hand and watched his face dissolved in a sheen of tears. The questions as to the decisions about his care and the competency of the doctors attending to him were not invalid, only inappropriate. There is a time and place for such talk. Just not here, not now. You understand, I'm sure. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not. Last edited by BigV; 12-15-2005 at 09:22 PM.

12-15-2005, 09:42 PM	#5
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	I pledge allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands........ ...a moment of silence here... I can't go there. not again a service to my country whose majority is unappreciative..... I won't delve, other than to say...... "God bless the USA" __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

12-15-2005, 10:15 PM	#7
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	I hope this war produces something that the survivors of those who gave their lives to build it can take pride in. At this point, we just don't know. I hope Bush looks at these photos every day. If only to drive home the real cost of this war. Unfortunately, I have a bad feeling that he feels no cost is too great. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

12-15-2005, 10:34 PM	#8
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	According to the news 60% of the folks over there got to vote for their OWN gubment , it MAY decline into the typical secular hairball , BUT ( and this is a BIG BUT ) we helped give THEM the chance to make their own choices, what they do with them is their own fault and responsibility . I mourn the loss of fellow comrads trying to give these folks the RIGHT TO CHOOSE , I hope they don't disshoner the losses we have incured on their behalf . __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

12-15-2005, 11:42 PM	#9
beavis butthead died Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: mtv reruns Posts: 88	that was a gut wrenching series of photos. i can't imagine the pain...

12-16-2005, 03:58 AM	#10
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Why did I look? crying. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

12-16-2005, 01:17 PM	#12
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	For some strange reason, the politics of this never occurred to me as I was looking at the essay. All I could see was that poor woman's pain, and that Major Beck's job had to be just about the worst job in the entire universe. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

12-16-2005, 02:07 PM	#13
Cochese Disorderly Orderly Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 54	You were not kidding. By picture four I was misty. I would love for this thread to become the most frequented daily pic on the site.

12-16-2005, 03:18 PM	#14
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	<a href="http://www.todaysmilitary.com/">I couldn't even begin to imagine</a>. Attached Images

12-16-2005, 04:30 PM	#15
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Jesus, I love the Marines. Good people. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

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