I was watching “Saving Private Ryan” when my phone rang. My brother, Bob, calling from Iraq. I hadn’t heard from him in around two weeks. He was “on a mission.” We talked for a while, pretended things were normal for a few minutes, when that got old we talked about his situation. Grim, he acknowledged. Not much more can be said, but grim. He misses his wife and kids. We miss him. He’s back at his base, the plywood walls of his quarters welcome after two weeks on the road. Baghdad is especially disturbing he said. Two weeks through hell to transport water.
When I hung up I tried to watch the rest of the movie. When we were kids we would spend Saturday afternoons watching war movies on an old TV in our basement. I must be getting old and soft, I could barely focus on the screen through my blurred vision. I wiped my eyes with my sleeve and turned the TV off.
Mike … will pray for the safe return of your brother – Old & Soft….I think not….just the “gentle”man we know you are!ER co-worker
Mike, Did you know your maternal grandmother’s family was a 6 star family in WWII? That did not include my father. Saving Private Ryan was based on a 3 star family’s plight. I think of Bobby and his family every day; they is not alone.Brian
I know that everyone misses Dad and espicially me. I dont think that u r getting old and soft u will always be Uncle Mike to me. I picture u as a motorcycle rider with the goofy helmet riding next to my dad.
(hug)