The next few entries will deal with my going home on R&R ( Rest and Relaxation ). My R&R started, for me, on the first of October when I left FOB O'Ryan for the LSA and my flights to Kuwait, Dallas and Los Angeles. As soon as I was no longer commited to going "outside the wire" it was time to RELAX. I must admit there were times over the summer I worried and wondered if that day would actually arrive.

I was dropped off at the start point and soon noticed something that will be lacking in my life when I, and hundreds of thousands of other Americans, will probably need back home once this is over for us, FELLOWSHIP. As I sat my bags down and sought out a seat I heard a multitude of conversastions taking place dealing with all of our different experiences from around the central part of Iraq and the city of Balad. It was as though we were all letting out a collective sigh of relief and could begin to relax around people that understood exactly what each individual was feeling, after all we've been doing this thing together hadn't we?

The chatter went on and on and every now and then the topic of home would come up but most of everything was on our immediate past. It just seemed like the right thing to do. I believe many will seek out this fellowship before too long.

When we arrived in Dallas two days later our plane was greated by an arch of water that the fire department had created for us to pass through, a Texas sized "Howdey and welcome home soldiers!". As we claimed our baggage and hurried to our conecting flights we were greeted by throngs of Texans with hugs, kisses, handshakes, goodie bags and well wishes. It was pretty early in the morning and these folks had been waiting on us, it meant a hell of alot to all of us. We were just in a hurry to get home and never really got a chance to thank Texas for being Texas. These people are what I call PATRIOTS and they are the reason so many of us are proud to serve our country.

It is important that I mention the politics involved with soldiers that have been serving in a declared combat zone overseas and their interaction with the public and PATRIOTS. I have mentioned in previous Blog entries that many people at the very top of the military chain often time lose touch with the common soldier and citizen and become more focused on political correctness. This stands to reason since many Generals must be approved by politicians or congress to get those stars. And what person that has rubbing elbows with senators and congressmen in their future plans isn't politically motivated? So, I'll get to the point.

Just hours before we left Kuwait for Dallas in our desert uniforms, as per command directives, many of us would have just as well worn jeans, we were reminded of COMMAND GENERAL ORDER # 1. That under no circumstance will any American soldier be allowed to consume alcohol, those that do will be punished under the UCMJ (Unifrom Code of Military Justice). By golly even if you've seen the worst the world has to offer, seen death and mutilation, experienced mans inhumanity to man, see those you've grown to love as never thought possible carried away in pieces never to speak to again, so what if you've sacraficed your entire life for the hope of the future and protecion of our country, don't you dare embarasse the uniform by having a cold beer with a WW2 vet.

This is a perfect example of what politics does to people. We must wear the uniform home because it reminds people we exist and certain people will benefit from our exposure, I for one am proud to wear it and enjoying being seen in it, I just wish I had a choice. I also wish I earned the right to share a beer with a grateful citizen without some politician trying to prosecute me for it. It's all a game of politics with sons and daughters and it really upsets me that we are all too often used in such a manner. The Generals would want the news to report that soldiers no longer curse, drink or think about sex, we do and will continue to do so. Right now there are even Generals in the Air Force trying to stop Chaplains from being religiously specific, more politics. So let me go on the record and say that if a citizen wants to by this soldier a beer and say "Thank you for what you've done" I won't play politics.