A Soldier Writes Home From Afghanistan

I just came across this at The Corner. It's a letter written by a soldier to his home town newspaper about his service in Iraq and Afghanistan shortly before he was killed in an IED attack.

The bad days are when you put your buddy in a body bag and you don't even recognize him because his limbs are missing and there holes in him everywhere. The miracles are when his last words are, "tell my wife and kids I love them," before he dies in his best friend's arms after struggling for several agonizing minutes to get the words out because there is a fist-size hole in his head.

And last but not least, the best days are when an Afghan comes up to you thanking you for everything that you have done to help them and for making their (home) a better place now that the Taliban are gone.

If anything, this is probably the biggest reason why I proudly enjoy being over here. I can't explain it to anyone and there is no description of what it feels like, but it was the same feeling I got when I was in Iraq as well. And I am sure it's the same feeling that generations of American soldiers before me have gotten as they fought and sacrificed their lives for the freedoms that we enjoy today.

Perhaps the biggest thing that has made being over here much more bearable, is the amount of public support that we have received from people. Getting a care package or a letter of support when you are out in the middle of nowhere from a complete stranger, thanking you, does make the day seem a little better.

I would especially like to thank my Aunt Jan Martin, and The local Troop Support organization who have provided care packages to soldiers serving overseas and have volunteered endless hours of their time and energy making our lives easier. The British soldiers (who don't get anything) are extremely grateful as well.

You can read all of Capt. Bruno de Solenni's letter here.

With good news in Iraq, the campaign here at home and all the other news, it's easy to forget that we still have many brave men and women serving in very dangerous places, far far from home.

I hate to admit it but it's been awhile since I've done anything to "support the troops" (not that I ever did near enough to begin with). Thankfully a quick trip to Soldiers Angels was a good first step. Sure it was just a couple of bucks to help them with their good work but it was the least I could do.

posted by DrewM. at 03:31 PM

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