Dear Congress: Please Read

There is something missing reality when driving through a U.S. military base these days, as a civilian. We are at war, still in Iraq, still in Afghanistan. And probably with good intentions overseeing Libya's present day coup against Moummar Gaddafi. But when driving around a base whose somewhat permanent residents are engaged world-wide upon man-made violence, there is a level of activity somewhat fascinating, somewhat mysterious, sometimes scary and often times, a thought of sadness abounds for many reasons. You know what I am talking about upon the latter. Let us face the facts, we are here as visitors, like stimulus project workers, while those dressed in uniform, well they have a completely different mindset and mission recognized as critical. They see and feel the pain, we just pay for it as sidelined beneficiaries their efforts. So I get to see this reality on a regular basis, one that is blockaded away from most Americans' everyday life cycle. With that, I guess I am qualified to present some thoughts on what I experience, not as a troop, but like already mentioned, a visitor upon their domain. On one particular day on an ARMY base in Alaska, there appeared to be some commotion at an intersection. Traffic was slow, as all eyes seemed turned to an attraction meandering along the bike path following the Chena River. An attraction it was on this 70-degree day. It was a young lady, gaining all the attention of troops finishing their day's duty, that of learning the rituals behind war and survival. So after the sweat and tears, to see an attractive lady walking the grounds, what else could one expect their behavior. She was a good looker. And for some of the Stryker Brigade combat team troops getting ready to head to the mountains and murderous neighborhoods of Afghanistan, gorking was acceptable. Maybe not acceptable upon the Code of Good Behavior, but lets give them a break. But the question remained, who was she and what was she doing walking around the base, not really showing off but getting that attention like she was a show-off. There is something else about life and liberty behind the military base gates secured by the Military Police, as when kids are out of school, the families gather at the combined soccer, baseball and dog park fields for outside activities, like almost all Americans this time of year - late fall. What is rather odd, it is the missing dads that makes this scene different, as most family men in uniform these days are most likely engaged abroad, fighting for American liberty you say. How many times has the Stryker Brigade visited the theater of war? Later on that evening, I would have the opportunity to meet this young woman at a local coffee shop. She asked me for directions as I sipped a latte outdoors, still in the 70s as enormous flocks of of cranes bid farewell this land and caught her attention. A giveaway she was a visitor. And then it was that I learned who she was and what interest it was that had brought her North to Alaska. She mentioned that she always wanted to visit this great state, but this time around it wasn't for a nature vacation, or fishing trip. No, her visit here today was to see her baby brother's remains returned, the reason her presence at Ft. Wainwright. I am glad it was a beautiful day, cranes and all. If it didn't help her pain, it helped me to cope this sadness. She mentioned over and over again, “my baby, baby broth..” came the choking tears. A twenty year old kid, life destroyed only after a few weeks in the theater. He was an engineer. I could tell she was distraught, but wanted to talk about it, to some extent. It is a sad state of affairs that you Mr. & Mrs. Congressmen have left this country. The war machine has become a big business, and you allow it to move forward gaining momentum, to the point that we may never be able to pull the plug and end these worthless engagements, wherein kids have to grow up fatherless and motherless, not because of the wars and conflicts themselves, but because we are short on troops, because we care more for military subcontractors' wealth and wellbeing then we do our very own children. So I send out this challenge to all members of Congress, as you are supposed to be our representatives. Instead of spending time so precious derailing this country's goodwill forever, take a time out from the crusade of the lobbyists and take a ride to a military base near you. And when riding around, take a slow long look through those military hospital windows, force a wave, maybe a genuine “I care” smile as you can bet that there is a young kid behind those four walls that can't come out and play. And when driving by those ball fields filled with energetic kids and moms playing dad, “say hello in there” to our troops, as some combat troops may never get the opportunity to play ball with their kids, then maybe you'll get the message, that our troops deserve more then the pittance of respect they get today, as the “mission critical” has taken on a monster, and there is only one entity to blame for this malfeasance - just take a look in the mirror. Scary and sad , isn't it!