My son, Hans, sometimes tells me stories of his youth without any warning. He did that today. He is a combat vet from the most recent Iraq War Continue Reading
Veterans
The Fear We Carry
“Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” – Patton Those lucky enough to have children have probably heard it before—“My dad isn’t scared of Continue Reading
What is the Pain of the Living Compared to the Sacrifice of the Dead?
Somewhere in a forgotten war, over a decade ago, he died. His eight-day struggle ended. Somewhere, in this window of time, my brain takes hold. I can Continue Reading
Part of Him Is Still in Iraq
I was sitting on the back porch of Hans' double-wide, soaking up the Texas heat and listening to Hans talk about his time in Iraq. Hans had a Continue Reading
The Jobs We Know How to Do
Yesterday morning, we drove to a jobsite in Texas where our oldest son, Hans, was pumping concrete. He operates a huge pump truck. It has 18 wheels, Continue Reading
Adding Up The Losses
Every drop of hot water was soothing as they rained down upon my body. I lay on the shower floor, staring as drop after drop slid down the side Continue Reading
Things Combat Vets Wish They Could Tell You | Part 2
By Britta Reque-Dragicevic This first appeared in Britta's blog, "Life After War" and is republished with the author's permission. If you Continue Reading
I am Who I am Because of Those Lost
I live because they cannot. I strive to achieve because I must. I speak because their lessons deserve to live forever. I share because Continue Reading
Things Combat Vets Wish They Could Tell You | Part 1
By Britta Reque-Dragicevic This first appeared in Britta's blog, "Life After War" and is republished with the author's Continue Reading
He Was Still Wearing His Cap
Breakfast at the Best Western isn't bad, but it's nothing to brag about either. The scrambled eggs remind me of those served in any Army mess hall. Continue Reading
Wrinkled and Proud
Only six hours of sleep?You have got to be kidding.I hung up the phone, sighing deep;get moving, time for planes to take wing. My boots could use a Continue Reading
Thank You for Your Service Now Hand Over the Back Pay
America loves veterans the way casinos love high rollers. There are lights, applause, complimentary coffee, and a powerful institutional interest in Continue Reading