...everyone needs to go to Lewis' post of the 28th, about the missing Philly woman. I donated five dollars. If I was missing, I'd hope someone would do it for me.

...then, go to Jack's post of the 27th, and just read. It will make you appreciate things a little more when it comes to our military.

...now I wasn't big on anything about our military until 9/11 and all the shit that's happened since. I even took the test for the Coast Guard, but I decided against going in. Personally I think that was a good idea, because I have a hard time standing up to someone now, much less if they were breaking the law. I admit it...I'm a wuss. Of course, I am capable of defending myself in an immediately dangerous situation; I've had to do that. But as for what our men and women do, whether they be a cop or service person, I would suck at it.

...I am very grateful for what these people do, and everyone else should be, too. I know I've said this before, but it's just that important that it needs to be said again (and I'll remind you later on down the road) that we need to support all of our police, rescue, military, and emergency personnel. Sure, there is the occasional bad one in the bunch; if you happen to interact with one of these people, don't let it cloud your thinking about everyone else.

...the cop I asked for help from when my dad went on one of his "trips" embarrassed me in front of several different policemen that night. You could tell they were embarrassed about it. He basically told me, and not very nicely, that if my dad was a problem, they'd deal with it. I know he's an asshole...he has that reputation...but I refuse to let him change how I feel about the others. They're good guys, they've helped me before, and I respect them.

...the people who embarrassed our country with what they did at that prison, all those pics and such...even I know that's not normal for our military. It's another example of someone that makes the rest of us look bad.

...I am supporting two soldiers now. One was assigned to me through Soldiers' Angels. The other is one who apparently was so depressed about being over there (I have no idea exactly where, but he's in the middle of it) that he couldn't understand what he was fighting for. He was tired of being shot at. An email through the site told everyone to write him, and we did, and I've decided I will do for him what I'm doing for the other. You write once a week, and if you can, send a care package once a month.

...the bad thing is, aside from the fact that these are kids who, a lot of the time, aren't even old enough to legally drink, they are in a war. They are shooting at people who are trying to kill them. They sometimes travel and have no idea if they will make it to their destination alive. Even if they don't think we should be over there, they are doing what they are told to do. I'd be willing to bet that a lot of the time, they are pretty fucking scared.

...a lot of these soldiers have no one who writes to them. That's what I couldn't believe. Can you imagine what that feels like? Watching some guy next to you read a letter from home, and you have nothing?

...it only costs the price of a stamp. Unfortunately it's a little more to send a package, it could take a week or so, and you never really know that they got it unless you hear from them. Of course, it would be nice if our postal service would make the rates a little cheaper...it's not like they aren't getting any less business.

...the hardest part I've found is, I've only heard from one guy once, through an email. His name is Nicholas Dumond, and he's twenty years old. He was happy that I even wrote. That was about two months ago. The other one, Jeff Porter, is the one who was so upset. I imagine he got a lot of mail, and hopefully is feeling better, at least about being appreciated.

...everyone please go to that site...just type in Soldiers' Angels. It doesn't matter whether you like what's going on or hate it...just do it. It really feels good to be able to help somehow.



posted by Wanting at 9:38 AM