by J.R. Lewis

Created on: June 30, 2007   Last Updated: May 19, 2012

No one wants war. No one sane and ration.

 No one with anything to lose, with anything or anyone at stake, anyhow.  Maybe big corporations that sell big guns or tanks who profit from war get excited about it, but normal folk, folks like me, most of the folks in the military—the ones who’s boots are in the sand, not sitting in congress or on some political hand-shaker payroll—they don’t want it either.

I am an active duty Army wife. Have been for over eighteen years now. I am now mother to two active duty Army soldiers, one of each gender, which qualifies me to say that I have given more when the country has asked.  I certainly do not wish for the loss of my husband or my children ever and yet I know it is a possibility because it comes with the contract of duty.

This country has always asked service, honor, and duty from its citizens.  From as far back as I can trace my family, each of my forefathers served when the Nation called though most were not career military. It has been an invaluable part of how this country was built and remains free, its volunteer military and citizen soldiers.

Though I do not agree with every choice our Government makes. Often, I see the choices as failed, flawed, or just plain wrong. I might disagree with how things are managed or how monies are appropriated, how lobbyists run the agendas or how it is who-knows-who, rather than what’s-the-right-thing that passes through unscathed, but I do not allow that corruption to corrupt how I view the troops or the military.

Even though I do not like war, I support the troops. I support the troop despite the government. They cannot legally protest or detest, it is a part of the contract they sign when they sign in as an employee of the US military Officer or Enlisted and it is my job to make their lives as easy and as smooth as I possibly can.

 I do this because I love them. I do this because this is what you do when you love someone. You do everything you can to make life better for them because they are brave and strong, wonderful and honorable.  

It is their turn at this country’s history and they are now a part of it. I am proud of my soldiers each and every day.  

But do I want war? No, of course not! I am proud of who they are in spite of it.

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