Want to Start a War at the VA? Ask One Question...Then Shut Up!!

 

 Tommy and I spend a lot of time in Columbia, Missouri at the Veterans Hospital. When we make a right turn at the stop light on Stadium, I see row after row of huge red, white and blue American flags line the driveway, I am always struck by the  power hidden in the lives of the men and women who walk through those doors.

Some vets are pushed in wheelchairs,others hobble on crutches or use a cane. Many have their caregivers accompany them. Wives, sisters or friends who are more than ready to help their friend or loved one. There are also many men and women who enter and look like nothing is wrong with them. It is checkup time for them. There are hundred's of reasons to be at the V.A. on any given day. Not all wounds are visible.

  Conversation is usually friendly and casual. Mostly about how far people traveled, the weather and occasionally the news. Men and women seldom share their service experiences. War is seldom mentioned. I have heard four stories about war since we began using the VA in 2009. The story that sticks out most in my mind was told to me by a man who was a Korean War veteran.  He was a tall man, probably in his 80's perhaps 90's. A piece of shrapnel had finally, after all these years, began pushing through his kneecap. He pulled up his pants leg to show me. His knee looked red and infected. Farther down, his leg was riddled with small healed scars. I was amazed the bit of shrapnel had been in there that long. He wasn't worried about his leg. For a few moments he was back in Korea. He spoke to no one in particular about a long brutal battle that lasted three days. He thought they would all die before help arrived. All too soon his name was called and he went back to see his doctor. I would have liked to have heard the rest of the story. However I think he was through talking out loud. He was lost in thoughts from many years ago. As he walked off he turned and said, "It was Hell." Enough said.

   A couple of weeks ago Tommy and I were in the lobby waiting for his name to come up on the t.v. screen, mounted in one corner of the lobby, allowing people to know when their scripts were ready. In the middle of the two elevated  medication t.v.'s there was a regular t.v. turned to a 24 hour news channel. The subject that day was  Ash Carter's decision women could serve in front line combat, with the possibility of being drafted. The young man setting next to me groaned when he heard the news. Tommy leaned over and whispered in my ear,"Don't you say a word." It is funny how sometimes I go deaf at the oddest times. This just happened to be one of those times.

  I waited hoping the young man next to me would say more on the subject. He didn't. His eyes never left the t.v. Tommy's eyes never left me. My eyes never left the vet. He was about 30 years old. He had a military haircut and the military walk. Sharp steps with a purpose. He got up and returned with a cup of coffee and continued to watch the t.v.

  Finally, I asked the young man what he thought about Carter's idea. He smiled at me and looked back at the t.v. I thought that was smart on his part. He didn't know me and there was no point in provoking a possible confrontation with a crazy woman. He then surprised me by saying his main problem was the weight issue. He had worked with a lot of female soldiers who were good at what they did however, it concerned him when it came to the weight issue in war. He believes it would be very hard for a woman of 115 pounds to carry a wounded soldier of 170 pounds, and her weapon, if they were under fire. What sounds good on paper doesn't always work in real life. 

  Tommy saw his name on the monitor and we were ready to grab his meds and leave. It had been a long day. I shook hands with the young man and wished him safety and happiness. He smiled and said, "Thank you." Whatever his future, I hope he has a long life filled with love and adventure.

  I have a life quote that floats to the front of my mind often when I am unsure about a situation. It goes something like this, "Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you should."(Ian-Jurassic Park).

  I will be the first to say I don't have the answer to the latest Washington bright idea. But when Jacy or Rowan turn eighteen, I would hate to see them drafted. I would also be very proud of them and support them 100% in whatever they had or chose to do. Perhaps it is because I am getting older that I see things differently. I married a Marine and would do it again in a nano second. Our middle daughter joined the Army Reserves, we have two nephews in the Marine Corp now and a niece who has been in the Army for sixteen years. These young men and women are impressive. They will have a heck of a story to tell one day, to someone at their nearest V.A. God bless them all.