As I write this, the President has announced a new page in our relations in Iraq--the end of combat operations. I have mixed feelings about this. My husband served in the Iraq theater twice--as a civilian and once while our son was also stationed there. Our son Jeff has served three tours of duty in Iraq with the army and we are proud of all that he and all the men and women who served so well in Iraq accomplished. Jeff got home in May and was married in June to a major also in the Army--they became engaged while both were in Iraq in the summer of 2009. We were so excited about his homecoming and wedding this summer that we overlooked the fact that his new bride could be deployed. We were saddened by the fact that Jen is leaving this Friday, the 3rd of September, for Iraq, where she will be part of a medical team serving the American military in Iraq. Again, we are very proud of all our military has accomplished and know that while we will miss our new daughter-in-law terribly, we know that the role she plays in Iraq will be essential for the well-being of all our soldiers and airmen. My biggest fear about the drawdown is that our country will overlook the fact that 50,000 men and women are still part of a force serving proudly in Iraq. Unless someone directly has someone involved in the war in the Middle East, people don't seem to be touched by all the tragedy and effects on another generation of young people. I hope that someday, all our troops will honorably be released from duty in Iraq. In the meantime, we hope that Jen and all our men and women will keep safe and hopeful for the future when they may all return to their families and loved ones.
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