Recent World Events..

 "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” - MLKJR

The recent world events have caused an uproar in the world but in what I feel is more "my world" - the military community; our concerns and fears are increased. Many of people I know still have loved ones deployed and many more will have someone deploying in the future, near or far. We know that the death of our greatest enemy means the fighting will be worse until we finally destroy the terrifying beast, Al Qaeda, and we know we will because we have no other choice for our country's safety and freedom.

We are Americans and we never stop. But we are more than Americans, we are the American Armed Forces and their families. We go through what other families never can experience especially emotionally. They don't watch the news with any of our specific concerns. They don't worry the moment the words "Army/Marines/Navy/Air Force" and "Deployment/Afghanistan/Iraq" appear on the news. We  spend our days attempting to keep busy and nights alone and awake, trying to fight off the empty ache of loneliness. Our joys are short phone calls and letters/e-mails and the ever-so rare skype dates. We fall in love over and over with the same man (or woman), the same man/woman who fights for all of us, even those who don't care.

Those men and women who serve our country are the only reason America still stands. Our government has failed us over the past few years, and, it seems, only gets worse as time goes by. We need change but in order to do that we must wait; we must be patient and we must stay strong and united. It is our jobs as the American Military and those that represent them when they are off fighting. We must be strong and we must carry on, carrying the burden of our entire country in this fight against hate, terrorism and  the enemies of our men and women. This isn't just a fight between countries, it's a fight between for those who have lost their husbands/fathers/brothers/sisters/wives/mothers/aunts/uncles ans so forth. It is a fight which, has gotten personal. We will win because we have always proven that our determination will always outlast anyone else's.

Now as the future becomes the present and our new futures are being formed it is a great burden to the support system of the Armed Forces, the wives, husbands, fiances and girlfriends, left to  be a backbone for this small percentage of Americans and it is they who shall endure the second hardest job in the Military. Some raise children alone and some are spending the happiest times of their youth waiting for their prince charming to return. We all have a role that is far too under-appreciated.

I know we do not suffer the same wounds, physically or mentally, but I believe our test is more of an endurance of mind and will. We learn to survive alone. We learn to fix the clog in the sink, fix a pipe, paint, play baseball. We learn how to be alone with children because sometimes no one can help us. Sometimes we are too far away from loved ones to have any family, so we forge friendships and bonds. We create in person or through networking and the internet a sisterhood that surpasses any sorority that could exist which will NEVER be understood by others. 

Now that Bin Laden is dead and whether or not you choose to "celebrate" that fact, our lives will change. Already alert levels are raised and we find ourselves waiting and wondering "how will they get us back? or "will he be sent out again early even though he just got home?" We hope that it won't happen but anyone foolish to think that isn't thinking about the situation. Islamic extremists are infuriated with the American Government and our Military. Regardless that this terrorist initiated our vengeance in 1993 and furthered the cause in 1998 with the USS Cole bombing and finally attacked our Homeland on September 11th, 2001; they will  be angered by the death of their, for all-intents and purposes, King.

We have cut the head out of the best, and now we must  hope it doesn't grow back too many heads. Until we know what the future holds, I beg of all of you to carry yourselves with dignity and strength. Remember to pray for our servicemen and women everywhere. Pray for our Heroes and pray for America. We are at the verge of a potentially drastic change for parts of life. What happens now will determine everything. God Bless America and God Bless her People.