Ring the bell and raise your glasses... The first drink is for the fallen...

I know once again I have taken a while to blog, but my days are pretty loaded as of late and I am sure that you understand when I spend all of my free time talking to Noel. Unfortunately I can't bring myself to begin this blog on a jovial note, but I will try to end it as such. To anyone who reads this who has never been involved on a romantic level with a boots-on-the-ground deployed soldier I apologize if you take any offense to any of the following. Having a loved one (brother, sister, dad, mom) in a combat zone affects people, but none is harder felt than that of a significant other. The only ones that come close are those that have to see their sons and daughters go to war.

To Mrs. P.

I hate to be generic, but I am terribly sorry to hear about your loss. I heard about it as soon as I woke up this morning. That's no way for anyone to begin their day. I'm not gonna be like most and sugar coat things to help you cope. Its fucking terrible and that's all there is to be said. You have suffered a trial that most will never know and none want to. It's because of incidents like this that when people tell me they will pray for me in my service, I thank them and tell them that the prayer needed most is for those significant others serving at home. Those that have to go to bed at night worried and wondering what is going on. One of the common misconceptions to war is that those in danger are the ones with the hardest job. Ask those that are deployed who has the hardest job. They will surely tell you that the hardest job is had by the wives and girlfriends of the military. The ones who at some time in their relationship have been introduced to a ranking NCO or officer by their service member and received a greeting of "Welcome to the military ma'am." This isn't a gimic. This is honesty at it's finest. Because those in uniform as well as those in your shoes know that the day they begin a relationship with their Marine, soldier, airman or sailor that they might as well raise their right hand and say the words. They too have just joined the military. Your life, health, safety, and well being has just become another mission on his plate and by far the most important in his eyes. You are what he thinks about as he laces his boots in the morning, charges his weapon, and starts his day, just as you are when he calls it a day and does what he can to sleep. What most don't understand is that YOU have made the ultimate sacrifice. All those in uniform understand your loss and are sorry that it has happened. I only hope that you can find peace with his death and allow your self to tighten your laces and drive on in his memory. If you need anything, Noel can tell you how to get in touch with me. I leave you with the words of a soldier... "For those who have fought for it, Freedom has a taste the protected will never know." I, unlike most, know that you are also one of those fighting this war. As I raise a glass for my fallen EOD brethren, I will also remember your husband's name and when the bell rings at the end of the day, I will see to it that he too is honored at our table. Semper Fidelis

Now to lighten the mood and hopefully to stop the water works I have just invoked from a number of people...

I'm confused about why women cry when they are happy. It's confusing as hell and Noel can tell you that it frustrates me horribly when she does it, because they are still tears and I feel terrible for making her cry. Here is my latest "This shit would be a lot funnier if it weren't happening to me" incident.

As you remember a while back Noel asked me (after I got mad at her for not including me in her problems) to help her out with a homework assignment. She needed someone of a Non-American background to do a survey. Well, I'm in Iraq, so conveniently enough I am surrounded by said subjects. So I too asked one of our interpreters (who I will call Sylvia for her own safety) to complete the project for her. She did so gladly and according to Noel very efficiently, as Noel had very little to do to convert it into the paper she needed to write. Well, as fate would have it Sylvia was having a birthday soon. So I figured I would get her something (deliver to her something that Noel bought) that would thank her for her help as well as say happy birthday. Well, All girls regardless of age like to smell pretty, so I told Noel, to hook her up. So.... she did. I received a package that contained some girly smell good stuff. Signed the card from Noel and I and walked it over to her. When i handed it to her in front of a few others, she threw her hands over her face and STARTED CRYING!!! I didn't know what to do. I FELT HORRIBLE! I just made her cry. I didn't mean to. It was actually the exact opposite of the reaction I was trying to invoke. One of those present at the scene would later describe my reaction as "somewhere between a dog hearing an odd high-pitch noise and looking like a kid who had just gotten blamed for something his big brother had done and nobody wanted to hear his excuses".I just stood there with my mouth half open and making a repetitive "bu.. bu.. bu.." sound. I was VERY confused. So I left and went and got Cinnabon and everybody stopped crying. I still feel bad when I see her. You people are very... YES! I mean YOU PEOPLE! are very very confusing.