The Kids in the Desert

I can pretty much pinpoint it; that is the time when I first knew I was getting old. It wasn’t a birthday or anniversary. No, it was when I realized I was going to be sending my Son off to a shooting war in Afghanistan.

I remember thinking it would have been easier to go myself; in fact, it would have been preferable. But no, I had transitioned from being one of those called on to protect to be one of those who are protected; a sure sign of age catching up.

While my Son is back home, other’s people kids are there now, working hard to protect us and keep the bad guys at bay.

So, while I know they are men and women, not really kids, I can’t help but think of them that way as I think about all of them still over there and in particular the few that I know personally.

Those kids live, work and fight in a climate that is alternately hot and cold. It can also be perpetually dirty with a sand dust that is fine like talcum powder that gets on everything.

When my Son was there, conditions were really primitive as we had just bombed them and hadn’t moved in to rebuild yet. I am told by others now that things are better (facility wise) for our people there.

But it remains a different kind of war, in an ancient desolate country. Due to the miracles of modern data networks and high-speed computers, I sit here and chat real-time with a youngster who I helped spark an interest in computers when I first met him over six years ago, when his Mother brought him to work with her.

His name is David and he tells me he is doing well, but there is a lot of work with 11 hour shifts and little time for sleep or chow. He also tells me I would be proud of him as he is a Network Administrator for his entire Marine Company. He tells me the name of his location and I know it is a dangerous place. He sends me a smile face when I comment about it being “The Wild West.”

My eyes mist up (another sign of age) and I type back, “Yes, I am very proud of you.’

He gives me an “Oorah” and says goodnight as he clicks off.

Yes, I may be getting old and thanks to some very brave kids in the desert, I will get the opportunity to get a little bit older; we all will.

 “Oorah” and may God bless all our fighting forces in harms way.