As I crawled into bed last night, I got an AP Mobile Alert that read “Elated, last US troops leave Iraq, ending war”. My immediate feeling was equal parts: exuberance, relief…..and an overwhelming sense of guilt….please, let me explain.
You’d have to be living under a rock lately to have not noticed the significant increase in local restaurant, retail and transportation congestion in recent weeks. I’ve mentioned before, God never blessed me with the virtue of patience…so as I’ve been making my way about town this holiday season — HEB grocery visits, Wal-Mart obligatories, driving to-and-from work, etc… — I’ve been THAT steering wheel banging, “mother sh*tter” screaming, white knuckling imbecile, Samir, from the opening scene of Office Space idly waiting behind you in the Starbucks line. I’m sorry for my lapse(s) in composure; forgive me for my virtuous deficiency.
I work at a car dealership, so I have realized the actualization that we have more soldiers coming home than we do leaving home, however I never internalized it until yesterday when I read the AP Mobile Alert. We celebrated my son’s 3rd birthday yesterday among family and friends, and my son and I were so fortunate to have all of those most important to us present. An unusually large portion of our community has spent an unfortunate, and in some cases debilitating, number of life events absent the presence of their closest family and friends — whether those folks are active duty and deployed, contractors and overseas, or simply family members that live far away from this duty station, Fort Hood…THE Great Place.
The increased local congestion is symbolic of this historic event, and may translate into what will be a hallmark holiday season in the homes of many of our neighbors. The analogous literary moment that comes to mind is from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas when Whoville discovers all of their Christmas presents have been taken, and they flood the city streets in camaraderie to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. I’d be willing to wager that most of our local military families have had a Christmas presence taken from them over the past 10 years in the name of the War on Terror. Though the local congestion is largely due to Christmas shopping patronage — I’m seeing an overwhelming number of families storming the streets sharing precious time in their vehicles, in line at HEB, at the bank, eating dinner, buying Christmas trees, going to BLORA or checking out a local nativity scene….together. Performing these activities together because they can….and THAT is paramount. They deserve it.
It’s no secret our community has felt/experienced the pressures of this ongoing War on Terror. For every family that is welcoming their soldier home this Christmas, there is another that is spending their Christmas without their soldier’s Christmas presence, and no one, not even my alter-ego, Samir, lets this go unnoticed. EVERY American looks forward to the day when American combat engagements cease, and our last remaining soldiers come home for good.
Though I am not part of a military family, I am blessed to be part of a community that is able to celebrate alongside our nation’s finest as they come home, en masse, to share in this most important season with the people they love most. To them I make this equal parts apology and promise: I apologize for my alter-ego, Samir, and pledge to be more like his officemate, Michael Bolton, in local congestive situations. I’m one hell of a rapper, anyway….and damn, it feels good to be a gangsta!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Comments
PJ Thompson
Spoken accurately from one Killeenian to another. Happy holidays to all the returning troops just in time for the holidays.
December 18, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Grant Bramlett
Tiffany,
Great post! I am sure families are elated to see their loved ones returned safe and sound before the holidays. That said, keep in mind that the media has it only half-right. Though troops may have “left” Iraq, many of them are still required to remain in the surrounding areas, such as Kuwait, in order to ensure there is no power vacuum of violence in the areas of their absence. Some in the local community may not even realize that the Soldiers remaining there are our very own, here from Fort Hood. Both the 1st Brigade of 1st Cavalry and 1st Cavalry Headquarters will remain in their respective locations in both Kuwait and Afghanistan as they finish up their year-long tours and continue on with their stabilization efforts. So as we hold our loved ones this holiday and celebrate the new year, let us keep those Soldiers not home yet, in our hearts and minds. Yes, once home, that means one more person blocking the HEB aisle, or one more car in the long line of traffic, but a community is not a community until all of its members are safe and present. Stay safe!
December 18, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Tiffany Arrington
Thanks Grant for giving shout outs for 1st Brigade and HQ! It’s really been great to see all these troops coming home — and driving thru Nolanville, where you can see miles and miles of Humvees and equipment headed back to the motor pool on freight trains! Tis the Season, and of course many thoughts and hearts to those & their families who won’t have their “Christmas presence” here this year.
December 18, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Let us Know What You Think
Is something missing? Please leave all of your tips, tricks and requests in the comments.
By submitting a comment you grant New2Killeen a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. Inappropriate and irrelevant comments will be removed at an admin’s discretion. Your email is used for verification purposes only, it will never be shared.